Linux Foundation Takes Reins of Moblin Project from Intel

The Linux Foundation, the organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, has announced it will host the Moblin project, an open Linux-based mobile project started by Intel.

According to Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, "the Moblin project will be supported by the Linux Foundation. With technical support from some of the industry's highly respected kernel developers and a neutral, third-party host, the Moblin project is primed" to grow, Zemlin said.

Created in 2007, "Moblin is an open-source project that supports Linux-based software platform and is optimized for the next generation of mobile devices including netbooks, mobile Internet devices … in-vehicle infotainment systems and other embedded devices … these are some of the fastest-growing markets in computing," the Linux Foundation said in a statement.

This news illustrates Intel's increasing acknowledgement of and commitment to open development, as well as the Linux Foundation's role in bringing the right people to the table to get necessary work done—work that is critical as manufacturers of netbooks, MIDs and other embedded devices use Linux more and more in search of "attractive margins, faster time to market and custom branding."

The Linux Foundation said in its news release, "The first developer meeting for the Moblin project under the Linux Foundation will take place at the Annual Collaboration Summit beginning next Wednesday, April 8, 2009."

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"Moblin offers a truly open platform and already has some of the best and brightest minds focused on its architecture and development," Zemlin said. "Through the Linux Foundation, an even broader community can contribute to Moblin becoming the predominant Linux-based platform for mobile devices."

"The Linux Foundation is the perfect environment to take Moblin to the next level," said Doug Fisher, vice president of Intel's Software and Services Group and general manager of its System Software Division. "The open-source process delivers multiple benefits to any project, including faster innovation and increased technology visibility."

"Fifteen operating system vendors have committed to distribute Moblin-based products, including Asianux, Canonical, DeviceVM, gOS, MontaVista, Novell and Wind River," the Linux Foundation said.

Representatives of the companies weighed in on the news.

"As a member of the Linux Foundation, we welcome the Moblin project, as it offers a comprehensive framework for developers to drive innovation in the mobile device market," said Mark Shuttleworth, founder of the Ubuntu project. "Moving to the Linux Foundation will promote further innovation and reinforces the synergies between Moblin and the Ubuntu community."

"The Moblin project offers a comprehensive framework for developers to drive innovation in multiple markets, including the mobile and automotive infotainment device markets," said John Bruggeman, chief marketing officer of Wind River. "Wind River is a leader with Moblin technologies and has a long history of leading initiatives hosted by the Linux Foundation. We're convinced that by having the Linux Foundation host Moblin we will see accelerated innovation and broader ubiquity for the project and Linux in general."

"Moblin is a key project for the acceleration of Linux on desktops and mobile devices," said Markus Rex, senior vice president and general manager of Open Platform Solutions at Novell, and former CTO of the Linux Foundation. "Moblin will allow companies to come to market quicker—thus being more competitive. Also, with the stewardship of the Linux Foundation and with the support of Intel, this will ensure the success of mobile computing enhancements."

"Today's actions from Intel and the Linux Foundation are an important step for the embedded device market and the open-source community," said Rusty Harris, CEO of MontaVista Software. "With Intel's Atom architecture and the Linux Foundation's bringing key Linux contributors together, Moblin is primed to be a leading platform in this marketplace. We look forward to helping embedded device manufacturers bring commercial devices to market quickly and cost-effectively on MontaVista Linux and the Moblin platform."