Linux vendor Lycoris unveiled the first Linux distribution specifically geared for the Tablet PC on Wednesday, allowing Linux to enter a market specifically designed by Microsoft.
The “Desktop/LX Tablet Edition” is a version of Lycoris desktop suite specifically designed for the tablet PC. The OS comes complete with power-saving features and touchscreen support, although more advanced features such as handwriting recognition and “digital ink” will have to wait for a future release.
Because of the configuration needed to port an OS to a non-standard tablet PC form factor, Lycoris will be marketing the $49.95 software suite directly to OEMs, and assist them in designing their own Linux-based tablets. But Lycoris executives took great pride in announcing that Linux has now penetrated a market designed by Microsoft for Microsoft.
“We have a desktop OS thats sold at Walmart.com, and…pretty well tested and understood by customers,” said Jason Spisak, vice-president of market development at Lycoris. “Then we took a look at the Tablet PC, and saw a golden opportunity. We said, weve got an OS that can do that, too.”
In addition, the lower cost of the Lycoris bundle will allow OEMs to develop lower-cost versions of tablet PCs, Spisak said. Lycoris will announce OEM support for its tablet OS in a few weeks time, Spisak said, and probably less than a month.
For the whole story, check out the ExtremeTech article.