[ Ubuntu-BD ] Ubuntu Linux Aiming for Mobile Devices

[Russell John]

BussinessWeek has published the following news story [1] based on Matt
Zimmerman's announcement [2] of Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded project:

"The Ubuntu flavour of Linux could soon be coming to a mobile device
near you as developers of the open source operating system are
beginning to work on porting it to internet tablets.

Techies will be working on the new mobile operating system at the
Ubuntu Developer Summit this week in Seville, following the creation
of the Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded project, which will take the OS into
pastures new.

Those behind the project have revealed that the first iteration of the
mobile OS will debut in October as Ubuntu 7.10.

Ubuntu CTO Mark Zimmerman revealed on the organisation's website how
handheld devices will present new challenges to Linux developers: "It
is clear that new types of device - small, handheld, graphical tablets
which are internet-enabled - are going to change the way we
communicate and collaborate. These devices place new demands on open
source software and require innovative graphical interfaces, improved
power management and better responsiveness."

He added the open source developers will be working alongside Intel
for the latest variant of the OS. The company will be devoting
"significant contributions of technology, people and expertise", he
added.

Intel is not the latest big name to take an interest in Ubuntu. Last
month, Dell announced it intends to offer desktop PCs running a
version of the soon to be mobile open source OS.

While the Ubuntu mobile and embedded project won't be targeting mobile
handsets at present, Linux is already making its mark as a smart phone
operating system, alongside Microsoft's Windows Mobile and Symbian's
OS.

Analysts believe more than 200 million mobile devices could run on
Linux by 2012 and the OS has already received high profile support
from the likes of Motorola and Palm."

BBC has published has a similar story on
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6634195.stm.

[1] http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/may2007/gb20070509_681142.htm
[2] The original announcement is at
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel-announce/2007-May/000289.html.
Matt Zimmerman is Ubuntu's CTO and Chairman of the Ubuntu Technical
Board.