MWC: Intel, Nokia partner for MeeGo mobile platform
(Mobile World Congress) Two Linux-based mobile operating systems -- Intel's Mobilin and Nokia's Maemo -- will be merged into one platform that will run on a wide variety of mobile devices including smartphones, the two companies announced Monday.
The groundbreaking partnership aims to take on Apple's iPhone, along with other operating systems that span across multiple devices, including Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows Mobile. But Intel and Nokia said the MeeGo platform will extend beyond smartphones and will be flexible enough to scale to larger devices like full-fledged computers or in-car systems.
Renee James, Intel's vice president in charge of software, told The New York Times that although Android is "fantastic," it is also too "specific" and restrictive to run on a wide variety of devices, particularly more complex ones.
"I think it's important that there are alternatives that are truly open for innovation," James reportedly said.
Intel previously announced its Moblin operating system for low-cost notebooks running the company's low-power Atom processor. And Nokia's Maemo 5.0, first introduced last summer, was expected to play an integral role in the company's smartphones to come. The move would seem to signal the end of both platforms, though Nokia still intends to sell smartphones based on its Symbian platform.
Another interesting note by the Times: Since the platform will run on ARM-based processors (in addition to Atom), Intel will be lending support to an operating system that benefits one of its competitors. Apple has used ARM processors in its iPhone, and created a custom version of the Cortex-A9 chip, known as the Apple A4, for its recently announced iPad.
Nokia has not yet announced whether it will build any handsets or devices based on Intel's Atom processor. Both companies will keep their separate application stores: Intel's AppUp for netbooks, and Nokia's Ovi software store will remain, despite the partnership.
The first devices running MeeGo, including a new phone from Nokia, are expected to arrive later in 2010.
Nokia and Apple currently have a number of lawsuits directed at each other, making accusations of patent violations on both parties' behalves. As the iPhone has grown in popularity, Nokia has retained its status as the market leader, but has suffered significant losses at the hands of competitors.
The groundbreaking partnership aims to take on Apple's iPhone, along with other operating systems that span across multiple devices, including Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows Mobile. But Intel and Nokia said the MeeGo platform will extend beyond smartphones and will be flexible enough to scale to larger devices like full-fledged computers or in-car systems.
Renee James, Intel's vice president in charge of software, told The New York Times that although Android is "fantastic," it is also too "specific" and restrictive to run on a wide variety of devices, particularly more complex ones.
"I think it's important that there are alternatives that are truly open for innovation," James reportedly said.
Intel previously announced its Moblin operating system for low-cost notebooks running the company's low-power Atom processor. And Nokia's Maemo 5.0, first introduced last summer, was expected to play an integral role in the company's smartphones to come. The move would seem to signal the end of both platforms, though Nokia still intends to sell smartphones based on its Symbian platform.
Another interesting note by the Times: Since the platform will run on ARM-based processors (in addition to Atom), Intel will be lending support to an operating system that benefits one of its competitors. Apple has used ARM processors in its iPhone, and created a custom version of the Cortex-A9 chip, known as the Apple A4, for its recently announced iPad.
Nokia has not yet announced whether it will build any handsets or devices based on Intel's Atom processor. Both companies will keep their separate application stores: Intel's AppUp for netbooks, and Nokia's Ovi software store will remain, despite the partnership.
The first devices running MeeGo, including a new phone from Nokia, are expected to arrive later in 2010.
Nokia and Apple currently have a number of lawsuits directed at each other, making accusations of patent violations on both parties' behalves. As the iPhone has grown in popularity, Nokia has retained its status as the market leader, but has suffered significant losses at the hands of competitors.
Comments
two wrongs don't make a right.
Tee hee!
If there is one platform why have 2 app stores?
What is wrong with expanded choice? Why not have dozens of places to get software?
What is wrong with expanded choice? Why not have dozens of places to get software?
The App Store is a demonstration as to why that isn't such a bright idea.
Think *outside* the Apple forums bubble.
How many operating systems do we have now?
Symbian
BADA
MEEGO (me too?)
WebOS
WinMo
Android
I can't wait to find out who will be the winner of these, haha.
And Nokia's Maemo, first introduced last summer, was expected to play an integral role in the company's smartphones to come.
Maemo 5.0 was introduced last summer. Maemo itself has been around since the N770 was announced in May 2005.
EDIT: Thanks for correcting.
Probably a good thing...
To be fair there really is no alternative for these companies. They must unite their code bases to have any chance of (giving the impression to their shareholders that they are) competing with Apple.
But its all self-defeating. If you are a developer, what ever you think of Apple, you know at the very least that they have a total commitment to developing the Cocoa Touch OS for the next 10 years. Where will these other mobile OS's be in 12 months never mind 10 years?
The App Store is a demonstration as to why that isn't such a bright idea.
Think *outside* the Apple forums bubble.
I would love to read your comments on this news http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/...cle7027689.ece
I for one am happy because it means Apple is successful, if major mobile players have to unite into one bullpen to topple Apple and secondly Apple will have to raise its game to manage this competition and if anyone thinks this is not stiff competition, well I hope Apple do not take your view.
The App Store is a demonstration as to why that isn't such a bright idea.
Think *outside* the Apple forums bubble.
Why is the app store a demonstration as to why having multiple sources of software isn't a bright idea?
It's worked for every available platform for decades.
I'll say it now FAILURE.... So now Intel is doing software, again another attempt of a company who know silicon trying to do something outside their core competency. Every time Intel tried to get into something they hope would sell more processors it fails.
Have their motherboard and chipset divisions failed? What are you talking about? "Every time"?
It is almost amusing to see the fight that is going in the world outside of Apple and RIM. Let the fragmentation continue!
How many operating systems do we have now?
Symbian
BADA
MEEGO (me too?)
WebOS
WinMo
Android
I can't wait to find out who will be the winner of these, haha.
indeed, this fragmentation is great news for iPhone and Apple.
Palm, Nokia & Samsung have stopped using someone else's OS.
Microsoft and Google have the OS but not their own hardware.
Motorola & Sony are still getting burned using someone else's OS...AGAIN!
Apple: iPhone OS
RIM: Blackberry
Palm: Palm OS, (WinMo) & WebOS
Nokia: Symbian, Meego
Intel: Moblin, Meego
Samsung: (WinMo), BADA
Microsoft: Win CE, Pocket PC, WinMo & Danger & Zune?
Google: Android & Chrome OS
Sony Ericson: (Symbian & Android)
Motorola: (WinMo & android)
I think Maemo could be something great if it was hyped more AND if it could sync with Macs as well. Imagine a smartphone that syncs seamlessly with the Mac without having to use iTunes and a freaking cable all the time. A phone with which you could wirelessly transfer files from one phone to the other via Bluetooth. Something like my Nokia E65 but with a better OS and better interface. Man that would be heaven. As things are now, I'd rather buy an Android phone plus The Missing Sync than an N900 or an iPhone.
OS X sync is next on Nokia's Ovi synch roadmap so your wish may become reality soonish. Bluetooth data exchange has worked on all Nokia phones for quite a while.
The key to Nokia's approach is not MeeGo or Symbian, it seems to be Qt which provides you with the possibility of writing code once and then compiling it for MeeGo, Symbian, Windows, Linux and OS X (Cocoa) without code changes. That will generate a much wider base for applications than anyone else if it catches on.
As to how easy is it to write to Qt specs, I don't really know (not a developer). Qt is already quite widely used (google Maps for example). But I'm really not qualified on this topic and is just a layman's view.
It is interesting to say the least as it seems like Nokia is refocusing itself to be platform agnostic to some extent. After all, both of their Mobile OSs are now full open source. The only "closed" part (at least to some extent) is Qt, which you have to pay at least a developer's license for.
I may be wrong on many of these accounts as this is just a "mind flow" post after a busy work day and quickly reading today's news on areas which is not my forte (app-. development).
Regs, Jarkko
It is almost amusing to see the fight that is going in the world outside of Apple and RIM. Let the fragmentation continue!
How many operating systems do we have now?
Symbian
BADA
MEEGO (me too?)
WebOS
WinMo
Android
I can't wait to find out who will be the winner of these, haha.
World outside Apple and RIM? Isn't Symbian still market share leader? OK, Symbian will become the "bargian bin" OS for cheap entry level smartphones (like my Nokia 5530 XpressMusic) but that means it will be pretty ubiquitous and not easy to ignore for app developers.
Here in Belgium, those cheap touch screen Samsungs and Nokias are flying off the shelves. In a country where it is against the law to sell locked phones, you can imagine appeal for a 500+ Euro phone isn't that big
Why is the app store a demonstration as to why having multiple sources of software isn't a bright idea?
A single source is a huge advantage to the common user. Even platforms like Linux, that are open, support repositories that make life easier for the user.
It's worked for every available platform for decades.
Actually it hasn't. One of the reasons the Linux distros became successful is that they recognized that users need an easy way to find, get, install and maintain their systems. Linux would not be where it is today without repositories.
Like wise the iPhone which really took off once third party software became common. That is not to say Apples approach is perfect but it is undeniable that app store soured sales.
Dave
(Sorry - I could not resist)