http://www.theinquirer.net

MWC 2010 Moblin and Maemo, and Qt too

INTEL AND NOKIA have joined forces, combining the Moblin and Maemo to create Meego, a new Linux based, open source operating system and developer platform for mobile devices.

Speaking at an event across the road from the Mobile World Congress, the two companies revealed that they will be merging their respective open source operating systems to create a single new interface designed to be used on a variety of devices including smartphones, netbooks, tablets, connected TVs and even in-car navigation and entertainment systems.

Meego is based on the Moblin core operating system and development is based on the Qt application development framework, so developers can create apps for both Meego and Symbian without needing to rewrite the code. Meego apps will be available through Nokia’s Ovi Store and Intel’s Appup Center.

Carefully avoiding any talk about hardware collaboration, the companies spokespair - Kai Öistämö from Nokia and Renee James from Intel - talked up how Meego would span a wide variety of hardware devices and configurations.

The pair hope that by joining forces they will be able to tackle the likes of Android, which is now starting to creep beyond just phones and into a variety of other devices.

“The merging of these two important assets into an open source platform is critical toward providing a terrific experience across a variety of devices and gaining cross industry support,” said James.

“MeeGo will drive an even wider range of Internet computing and communication experiences for consumers, on new types of mobile devices,” added Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Nokia’s CEO.

“Through open innovation, MeeGo will create an ecosystem that is second to none, drawing in players from different industries. It will support a range of business models across the value chain, building on the experience and expertise of Nokia, Intel and all those who will join us.”

Despite the insistence that it is a merger, Intel seems to be giving up the lion’s share with this deal. Until now Moblin has been optimised for Intel Atom processors, something set to change in Meego, while Nokia is handing over Maemo, but keeping Symbian alive and well.

In a bid to find a neutral arbiter, MeeGo will be hosted by the Linux Foundation, with the first release of the full software stack expected in the second quarter of 2010 and devices set to be launched later in the year.

The Meego site goes live today and developers from both camps encouraged to join combined community, with all development promised to be forward compatible with Meego when it officially launches. µ