Intel have handed over the reins of the Moblin platform to The Linux Foundation. Moblin, the open-source Linux OS that Intel have been developing for the past two years, will now be accessible to a larger number of programmers, and Intel’s stated purpose for the transition is to take the OS “to the next level“. At the same time, the chip-maker is obviously hoping that greater adoption of Moblin would drive interest in their own Atom processors.
ARM-based mobile internet devices (MIDs) could soon be presenting more of a challenge to their Intel Atom-based rivals, if newly-emerging trends in China continue. According to Chinese retailers, ARM-based MIDs such as the SmartQ 5 - priced at roughly one quarter of the cost of a branded Atom MID are prompting manufacturers to move away from Intel’s chipset.
Lurking in the second half of the ARM Snapdragon video we wrote about this morning is the Wistron Firstbook, a Linux-based netbook designed around the same chipset that powers the Toshiba TG01. Resembling a Sony VAIO P, the Firstbook has integrated 3G WWAN connectivity and a widescreen display.
Video demo after the cut
Further details on the Moses SmartQ 5 MID have emerged, together with live photos. The 4.3-inch WVGA touchscreen mobile internet device – first spotted back in February - is now known to have a 667MHz ARM11 processor, 1GB of internal storage (of which 256MB is available to the user) and an SD slot for cards up to 32GB in size. The SmartQ 5 is also compatible with EDGE USB modems, thanks to USB-host connectivity.
Chipset manufacturer ARM have outlined their vision for mobile gaming, describing products based on their Mali GPU platform that would be capable of 1080p HD resolution, offer 2D and 3D graphics and 4x and 16x full-scene anti aliasing. ARM offers the GPU as a SoC (System-on-Chip), and is foreseeing Xbox 360-level video graphics on mobile devices by the end of 2009.
ARM have announced their latest processor, the ARM Cortex-M0, which the company is describing as their smallest, lowest power and most energy efficient processor to date. The Cortex-M0 consumes as little as 85 microwatts/MHz (0.085 milliwatts) and is intended for ultra low-power MCU and SoC applications like gaming accessories, ZigBee and Z-Wave wireless devices, and smart-home products.
After their first netbook reference design sparked some interest, Qualcomm have been giving further details of their Snapdragon chipset and their intention for the platform. Snapdragon uses a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU with integrated HSPA+, 1080p high-definition support, WiFi, mobile TV and GPS capabilities; it’s also incredibly power-frugal, something that Manjit Gill, director of product management in Qualcomm’s Connected and Consumer Products Group believes will allow hardware partners to create an truly always-connected device.
The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) has announced fourteen new members, including ASUS, Sony Ericsson and Garmin, together with carrier Vodafone. While the specific intent of the new members is unknown, they will all either “deploy compatible Android devices, contribute significant code to the Android Open Source Project, or support the ecosystem through products and services that will accelerate the availability of Android-based devices.”
It’s currently unconfirmed, but All About Symbian are reporting that the new Nokia N97 uses the same Texas Instruments ARM11 processor, with a higher clock speed, as the N95, rather than the newer TI OMAP 3 chip. If true, this will come as a disappointment for anyone hoping the new flagship smartphone would take advantage of the OMAP 3’s super-frugal architecture and speedier ARM Cortex core.
Socle Technology has announced the first 1GHz ARM11 platform, paving the way for faster MIDs, PMPs and digital home products. A self-developed System on Chip (SoC), the chipset uses 65nm technology and is the fastest ARM11-based design available to date. It’s predicted to find its way into products from ASUS, Inventec and Dell.
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