Moblin project
Encyclopedia
Moblin, short for 'mobile Linux
', was an open source
operating system
and application stack for Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), netbook
s, nettop
s and embedded devices. It has since been merged into the MeeGo
project, and bears its name. Built around the Intel Atom
processor, current builds are designed to minimize boot times and power consumption to create a netbook and MID-centric operating system. The netbook/desktop version of Moblin currently supports other chipsets based on the SSSE3
instruction set, such as the Core2 and some Celeron
processors.
Commercial products built around Moblin 2 include a Foxconn
netbook and an InvenTech smartphone
, both announced at Computex 2009. Acer has also announced the replacement of Linpus
Linux with Moblin on their Acer Aspire One netbooks. For its mobile Internet device class smartphone
LG GW990, LG Electronics
chose Moblin OS 2.1. More recently, Dell
began accepting orders for its Ubuntu
Moblin Remix, a Canonical Ltd.
project that builds Moblin using a more full-featured Ubuntu distribution as base . Mandriva
has started to offer Moblin's v2 version to all Mandriva distribution and netbook owners.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2010, MSI and Novell announced the upcoming availability of SUSE Moblin preloaded on the MSI U135 netbook. Following the recent release of Moblin version 2.1, this marks the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to sell a fully supported Intel Atom processor-based netbook running Moblin-based technology to consumers. It was demonstrated at both the MSI and Intel booths at the show. In addition, Samsung showed four netbooks preloaded with SUSE Moblin.
At the Mobile World Congress
in February 2010, it was announced that the Moblin project would be merging with Maemo
to create the MeeGo
mobile software platform.
processor family at the Intel Developer Forum
in Shanghai. A custom software development kit
(SDK) is available on the site. The Moblin 2 OS was specifically designed to run on an Intel Atom processor in a netbook.
In April 2009 Intel turned Moblin over to the Linux Foundation
. Development is now overseen by the Moblin Steering Committee, currently consisting of Imad Sousou, Arjan van de Ven, Matthew Allum, and Rusty Lynch. Except for Matthew Allum, founder of Intel's recently acquired OpenedHand, all committee members are Intel employees.
, but other distributions to announce future support for the core Moblin stack include Linpus
and Ubuntu.
This second major release marked a shift from the Xfce
desktop environment
to a custom-built GNOME Mobile UI based on OpenedHand
's Clutter, a key piece of the Maemo
graphical environment, built around the X Window System
. The new UI also includes an integrated Gecko
web browser. The Register
was impressed by the interface but noted the presence of "quite a few apparent bugs" and described the beta release of Moblin 2 as "closer to an alpha than a beta." .
The Intel team has acknowledged that Moblin v2.0 is built using the openSUSE Build Service.
, and KMS, which are designed around toolbars and panels available at the top of the screen.
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
', was an open source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
and application stack for Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), netbook
Netbook
Netbooks are a category of small, lightweight, legacy-free, and inexpensive laptop computers.At their inception in late 2007 as smaller notebooks optimized for low weight and low cost — netbooks omitted certain features , featured smaller screens and keyboards, and offered reduced computing...
s, nettop
Nettop
Nettop may refer to:*Nettop, a type of computer*NetTop, a NSA project...
s and embedded devices. It has since been merged into the MeeGo
MeeGo
MeeGo is a Linux-based open source mobile operating system project. Primarily targeted at mobile devices and information appliances in the consumer electronics market, MeeGo is designed to act as an operating system for hardware platforms such as netbooks, entry-level desktops, nettops, tablet...
project, and bears its name. Built around the Intel Atom
Intel Atom
Intel Atom is the brand name for a line of ultra-low-voltage x86 and x86-64 CPUs from Intel, designed in 45 nm CMOS and used mainly in netbooks, nettops, embedded application ranging from health care to advanced robotics and Mobile Internet devices...
processor, current builds are designed to minimize boot times and power consumption to create a netbook and MID-centric operating system. The netbook/desktop version of Moblin currently supports other chipsets based on the SSSE3
SSSE3
Supplemental Streaming SIMD Extensions 3 is a SIMD instruction set created by Intel and is the fourth iteration of the SSE technology.- History :...
instruction set, such as the Core2 and some Celeron
Celeron
Celeron is a brand name given by Intel Corp. to a number of different x86 computer microprocessor models targeted at budget personal computers....
processors.
Commercial products built around Moblin 2 include a Foxconn
Foxconn
The Foxconn Technology Group is a multinational business group anchored by the Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. , a Taiwan-registered corporation headquartered in Tucheng, Taiwan...
netbook and an InvenTech smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
, both announced at Computex 2009. Acer has also announced the replacement of Linpus
Linpus Linux
Linpus Linux is a Fedora-based operating system created by the Taiwanese firm Linpus Technologies Inc. Linpus was designed specifically to fully support the Asian market, with full Unicode support for the Chinese and Japanese languages. A special version, Linpus Lite, was written to run on devices...
Linux with Moblin on their Acer Aspire One netbooks. For its mobile Internet device class smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
LG GW990, LG Electronics
LG Electronics
LG Electronics is a global electronics and telecommunications company headquartered in Yeouido, Seoul, South Korea. The company operates its business through five divisions: mobile communications, home entertainment, home appliance, air conditioning and business solution...
chose Moblin OS 2.1. More recently, Dell
Dell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
began accepting orders for its Ubuntu
Ubuntu (operating system)
Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
Moblin Remix, a Canonical Ltd.
Canonical Ltd.
Canonical Ltd. is a private company founded by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth to market commercial support and related services for Ubuntu Linux and related projects. Canonical is registered in London and employs staff around the world...
project that builds Moblin using a more full-featured Ubuntu distribution as base . Mandriva
Mandriva
Mandriva S.A. is a publicly traded Linux and open source software company with its headquarters in Paris, France and development center in Curitiba, Brazil. Mandriva, S.A...
has started to offer Moblin's v2 version to all Mandriva distribution and netbook owners.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2010, MSI and Novell announced the upcoming availability of SUSE Moblin preloaded on the MSI U135 netbook. Following the recent release of Moblin version 2.1, this marks the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to sell a fully supported Intel Atom processor-based netbook running Moblin-based technology to consumers. It was demonstrated at both the MSI and Intel booths at the show. In addition, Samsung showed four netbooks preloaded with SUSE Moblin.
At the Mobile World Congress
Mobile World Congress
The GSMA Mobile World Congress is the combination of the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry and a conference featuring prominent Chief Executives representing mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors and content owners from across the world...
in February 2010, it was announced that the Moblin project would be merging with Maemo
Maemo
Maemo is a software platform developed by the Maemo community for smartphones and Internet tablets. It is based on the Debian Linux distribution, but has no relation to it...
to create the MeeGo
MeeGo
MeeGo is a Linux-based open source mobile operating system project. Primarily targeted at mobile devices and information appliances in the consumer electronics market, MeeGo is designed to act as an operating system for hardware platforms such as netbooks, entry-level desktops, nettops, tablet...
mobile software platform.
History
Intel launched the Moblin.org site in July 2007 and significantly updated the site in April 2008 with the launch of the Intel AtomIntel Atom
Intel Atom is the brand name for a line of ultra-low-voltage x86 and x86-64 CPUs from Intel, designed in 45 nm CMOS and used mainly in netbooks, nettops, embedded application ranging from health care to advanced robotics and Mobile Internet devices...
processor family at the Intel Developer Forum
Intel Developer Forum
Intel Developer Forum , is a gathering of technologists to discuss Intel products and products based around Intel products. The first IDF was in 1997...
in Shanghai. A custom software development kit
Software development kit
A software development kit is typically a set of software development tools that allows for the creation of applications for a certain software package, software framework, hardware platform, computer system, video game console, operating system, or similar platform.It may be something as simple...
(SDK) is available on the site. The Moblin 2 OS was specifically designed to run on an Intel Atom processor in a netbook.
In April 2009 Intel turned Moblin over to the Linux Foundation
Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation is a non-profit technology consortium chartered to foster the growth of Linux.Founded in 2007 by the merger of the Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group , the Linux Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading...
. Development is now overseen by the Moblin Steering Committee, currently consisting of Imad Sousou, Arjan van de Ven, Matthew Allum, and Rusty Lynch. Except for Matthew Allum, founder of Intel's recently acquired OpenedHand, all committee members are Intel employees.
Moblin 2
At the Linux Collaboration Summit in April 2009, Intel demonstrated that the Moblin 2 alpha release can load major components of the stack, including the graphics system, and start up in mere seconds. On May 19 2009, Imad Sousou announced the release of Moblin v2.0 beta for Netbooks and Nettops for developer testing. Moblin 2's Core distribution is based on recent builds of FedoraFedora (operating system)
Fedora is a RPM-based, general purpose collection of software, including an operating system based on the Linux kernel, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat...
, but other distributions to announce future support for the core Moblin stack include Linpus
Linpus Linux
Linpus Linux is a Fedora-based operating system created by the Taiwanese firm Linpus Technologies Inc. Linpus was designed specifically to fully support the Asian market, with full Unicode support for the Chinese and Japanese languages. A special version, Linpus Lite, was written to run on devices...
and Ubuntu.
This second major release marked a shift from the Xfce
Xfce
Xfce is a free software desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms, such as Linux, Solaris, and BSD – though recent compatibility issues have arisen with regard to BSD Unix platforms...
desktop environment
Desktop environment
In graphical computing, a desktop environment commonly refers to a style of graphical user interface derived from the desktop metaphor that is seen on most modern personal computers. These GUIs help the user in easily accessing, configuring, and modifying many important and frequently accessed...
to a custom-built GNOME Mobile UI based on OpenedHand
OpenedHand
OpenedHand was an embedded Linux start-up that was acquired by Intel in Q3, 2008. The firm developed a OpenEmbedded distribution called Poky Linux and the Clutter library. The latter is heavily used in the customized UIs of Maemo and Moblin, embedded Linux distributions from Nokia and Intel,...
's Clutter, a key piece of the Maemo
Maemo
Maemo is a software platform developed by the Maemo community for smartphones and Internet tablets. It is based on the Debian Linux distribution, but has no relation to it...
graphical environment, built around the X Window System
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
. The new UI also includes an integrated Gecko
Gecko (layout engine)
Gecko is a free and open source layout engine used in many applications developed by Mozilla Foundation and the Mozilla Corporation , as well as in many other open source software projects....
web browser. The Register
The Register
The Register is a British technology news and opinion website. It was founded by John Lettice, Mike Magee and Ross Alderson in 1994 as a newsletter called "Chip Connection", initially as an email service...
was impressed by the interface but noted the presence of "quite a few apparent bugs" and described the beta release of Moblin 2 as "closer to an alpha than a beta." .
Major components
- Moblin Image Creator (MIC): allows developers to create a custom Linux file system for a device. Using MIC, a platform developer can choose which components from Moblin they want on their device, build the target file system, copy all the necessary files to a USB mass storage device and load the resulting files onto the target.
- Kernel: platform-specific patches to the Linux kernelLinux kernelThe Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
and various other device drivers. - UI Framework: screen interface and its underlying Clutter- and GTK-based framework.
- Power Management Policy: extending and enhancing existing Linux power management capabilities
- Browser: the Moblin browser is full-featured web browser based on MozillaMozillaMozilla is a term used in a number of ways in relation to the Mozilla.org project and the Mozilla Foundation, their defunct commercial predecessor Netscape Communications Corporation, and their related application software....
technologies with a finger-driven UI and MID UI integration. The Moblin browser supports key plug-ins like Adobe FlashAdobe FlashAdobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
. - Multimedia: audio and video playback and photo viewing including HelixHelix (project)Helix DNA is a project to produce software that can play audio and video media in various formats, aid in producing such media, and serve them over a network. It is intended as a largely free and open source digital media framework that runs on numerous operating systems and processors and was...
or GStreamerGStreamerGStreamer is a pipeline-based multimedia framework written in the C programming language with the type system based on GObject.GStreamer allows a programmer to create a variety of media-handling components, including simple audio playback, audio and video playback, recording, streaming and editing...
multimedia frameworks with Universal Plug and PlayUniversal Plug and PlayUniversal Plug and Play is a set of networking protocols for primarily residential networks without enterprise class devices that permits networked devices, such as personal computers, printers, Internet gateways, Wi-Fi access points and mobile devices to seamlessly discover each other's presence...
support through the GUPnP library. - Linux Connection Manager: InternetInternetThe Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
connections that can be extended through plug-ins to support various wired or wireless technologies.
The Intel team has acknowledged that Moblin v2.0 is built using the openSUSE Build Service.
Applications
Moblin 2's interface is designed for netbook and nettops and built on open source graphics technology, such as Clutter, DRI2Direct Rendering Infrastructure
In computing, the Direct Rendering Infrastructure is an interface and a free software implementation used in the X Window System to securely allow user applications to access the video hardware without requiring data to be passed through the X server. Its primary application is to provide...
, and KMS, which are designed around toolbars and panels available at the top of the screen.
- Myzone is a variation on the desktop or home screen. It provides an overview of the user’s latest activities on the system. The screen is divided into three areas: recent activities, that is calendar and to-do items (left); recent files and websites, such as pictures viewed and websites visited (center); and recent social network updates, currently tracking Twitter and Last.fm (right).
- A custom toolbar provides more personalized content on the screens it navigates to, than most toolbars do. Most menu items open screens that display the most recently accessed topical content. For example, the work zones panel manages, organizes, and switches to currently running applications and the media panel displays recently played and viewed media files.
- The optimized browser is based on Mozilla browser technology revised into a Clutter shell.
- A 'zoomable' media player allows going from viewing all media at once down to focusing on an individual picture, movie, or audio track. The media player detects and indexes media on external USB devices, as well as UPnP devices on a network.