MobileLinux
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Nokia's N950 demos MeeGo Harmattan in marathon video
Still obsessing about Nokia's N950 -- you know, the sexy developer-only MeeGo device you can't have? Before you let Elop rain on your parade, indulge yourself with an exhaustive 17 minute video from Thailand, dutifully documenting every nook and cranny of Espoo's ill-fated OS. The long-winded film tours the dialer, browser, and gives a peek at a plethora of camera settings -- like ISO, aspect ratio, and timers -- that we didn't get to see on the N9. Also making an appearance are maps with turn-by-turn navigation, what appears to be a document viewer, and a Facebook app. Go on, have a gander, and dream about a luscious MeeGo future that might have been.
Dell Sparta and Athens netbooks, Looking Glass Pro and Streak variants teased on Android roadmap
Good morning to you too, Dell! Android Central's just gotten hold of yet another leak from the Texan computer giant, only this time we have two new Android or Linux (as suggested by the Tux icon) Moblin devices. First, we have the Sparta "netbook tablet" featuring an 11-inch 1024 x 768 TFT display, ARM processor, optional connectivity modules (3G, WiFi, Bluetooth) and a unique swivel mechanism -- the screen appears to be rotatable within its frame. The second device is the Athens sub-0.9kg (1.98 pounds) netbook sporting the same screen size, ARM processor and optional connectivity modules. If all goes well, the Sparta and Athens should be launched in early and late Autumn respectively, but there's a lot more so keep reading after the break. Update: thanks for pointing out the Moblin logo, thoughtmonster!
Support for Access Linux Platform waning in the wake of Android?
Without much fanfare, the Samsung i800 was canned at the tail end of last month. When asked why, Orange simply noted that it was pulled in order to "prepare a more competitive Linux mobile." A recent writeup at Ostatic takes a hard look at whether this simple withdrawal is really a sign of things to come, and it suggests that ALP could see support fade as the major players in Linux (and maybe even Nokia) step to the plate. One analyst was even quoted as saying that "having Google's brand behind Symbian could very well mean 'game over' for mobile Linux in the mobile phone market," and we honestly can't disagree too vehemently with that assertion. Of course, the LiMo Foundation has stated its intentions to not back down from the mighty Google, but sometimes, even the best intentions fall through. Guess time will tell, huh?[Via jkOnTheRun]
LiPS and LiMo mobile Linux groups join forces, acronyms
Looks like there's only room for one mobile Linux standards body in these here parts, and LiMo's recent momentum and partnership deals have apparently swept up the members of the Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) -- the two groups just announced that as of July, LiPS will be folded into LiMo. That'll give the Foundation even more ammunition as it gears up to do open-source battle with Android and that fruit-flavored mobile whose name we keep forgetting. There's no word on what's going to happen to LiPS's 1.0 specs, but we'd guess they'll be folded into the LiMo platform -- now all we need are some actual phones.
LiMo Foundation plans SDK for mid 2008
With all the hubbub over Android at Mobile World Congress this year (and in the world, in general), it only makes sense that other Linux-based contenders would step into the light. The LiMo Foundation -- a consortium of some pretty major players -- has announced plans for an official SDK in the second half of the year which will cover native, Java, and WebKit development. The software, dubbed the R1 LiMo Platform, will pull together existing APIs and development tools into a more cohesive whole, with ACCESS taking the lead on the native side, Aplix heading up Java development, and Motorola fleshing out the WebKit tools. There are 18 LiMo-powered handsets on display at Mobile World Congress this year, with seven vendors using the platform -- including Samsung and LG -- and the group says it's just added nine new companies to the team. The creation of a cohesive platform should bolster the consortium's position in the market. Says CCS Insight's Ben Wood, "To have a credible platform, a more detailed operating system framework is likely to be required." Read - LiMo Foundation Announces SDK Strategy Read - LG, Samsung bet on new mobile Linux platform
TrollTech, Huawei join LiMo Foundation, forces align against Android
Anyone looking to fight the Android machine is likely going to need to roll in the heavy artillery, and that's exactly the kind of momentum the LiMo Foundation is looking to build with an announcement today that they've added five -- count 'em, five new members to their merry band. Most notable of the bunch are Huawei, the Chinese hardware firm just now making inroads into the American market, and Trolltech, the company possibly best known for its now-discontinued Greenphone Linux candybar that develops and maintains the Qtopia platform. Existing members include NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic, Motorola, NEC, Samsung, and Vodafone, giving these guys some serious firepower in founder NTT's ongoing effort to establish a consistent Linux-based platform across its handsets. Of course, the Japanese megacarrier is a member of the Open Handset Alliance, too, so maybe everyone can end up playing nice in the name of open source success after all.
Intel launches Mobile & Internet Linux Project website
Hearing that Intel now has a relatively fond view of Linux is far from surprising, especially considering that the chipmaker already has quite a few open-source projects out in the open. To help consolidate its efforts and spearhead future developments, Intel has apparently launched the Mobile & Internet Linux Project website, which showcases a number of ideas to improve "power management, user interfaces, use of wireless networks, web browsing, chatting, and software development for mobile devices." Intel is reportedly hoping to garner interest from external programmers such as those found at Canonical and Red Flag Linux, who have both signed on already for the ride. Currently, the actual scope of the endeavor still seems a bit foggy, but Dirk Hohndel, Intel's chief Linux and open-source technologist, dubbed it a "technology incubator for a lot of things that are going to be productized in the next three years."[Via CNET]
Smartphones to get mobile flavor of Ubuntu Linux
While having a flavor of Linux on one's smartphone isn't unheard of, it could become at least somewhat more popular now that a common variety is scheduled to make its mobile debut. After years of Linux-on-a-handset talk from just about every direction imaginable, the developers of Ubuntu are hoping to "extend its open-source software development to handheld internet-enabled devices." Reportedly dubbed the Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded project, the operating system could be headed to your mobile device thanks to a collaborative effort between Ubuntu programmers and Intel, which shouldn't come as any surprise considering its recent infatuation with the open-sourced OS. Of course, Ubuntu is a surefire candidate for OS of the month given all the press its meandered into of late, but developers did note that designing a mobile GUI and configuring the power management capabilities would be quite a challenge. The best part, however, is how quickly the mobile rendition will be rolled out, as we can all mark our calendars for a simultaneous release with Ubuntu 7.10 this October.
