Intel sets Moblin OS free

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 2 Apr 2009 at 11:47

Intel will hand its Moblin 2 OS over to the Linux Foundation, as it seeks to spur further development of the Linux-based platform.

Based on the Fedora distro, Intel developed Moblin to take advantage of Atom-based netbooks and Core 2 processors.

However, the goal is now to push the speedy operating system onto as many other devices as possible, including consumer devices such as smartphones, satnavs and other other in-car systems.

Intel is hoping that by offering Moblin to the Linux Foundation it can create a strong community around the OS and spur third-party development. On the flipside it's also left the door open for Moblin to be ported to other hardware, including ARM and Nvidia's ION chipset.

The Linux Foundation says it will take over stewardship of the project and its community immediately, hosting all conversation regarding Moblin on its website.

"This is a departure for Intel," says Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation. "This is a company that has the resources and internal staff to create innovative technology on their own. They obviously see Moblin as a strategic platform."