Intel debuts Linux-based "Mobile Internet Device" (LinuxDevices) [LWN.net]

LinuxDevices.com takes a look at Intel's "Mobile Internet Devices". "MIDs are smaller and more appliance-like than the clunky UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) concept co-launched about a year ago by Intel as the UMPC and by Microsoft as Origami. Whereas UMPCs have 5- to 7-inch displays and boot the slow-moving Windows GUI, MIDs have 4- to 6-inch displays, boot simplified Linux-based UIs with "instant-on" performance, and offer consumer price points, according to an IDF presentation by Intel Sr. Engineering Manager Danny Zhang and PengCheng Zou, senior manager of RedFlag Linux's R&D department."

APC (Australian Personal Computer) Magazine has a photo gallery with pictures and screenshots.

(Log in to post comments)

Intel debuts Linux-based "Mobile Internet Device" (LinuxDevices)

Posted Apr 17, 2007 17:08 UTC (Tue) by vmole (subscriber, #111) [Link]

Lots of good stuff, but near the bottom of the article we find:

the Intel/Red Flag MIDs will use the Matchbox window manager, alongside the proprietary Hildon UI and application framework.

Sigh.

Intel debuts Linux-based "Mobile Internet Device" (LinuxDevices)

Posted Apr 18, 2007 7:54 UTC (Wed) by pbaum (subscriber, #4514) [Link]

Could somebody explain what is proprietary in the Hildon UI and application framework?

According to Maemo.org hildon UI is basically modified GTK+ with additional widgets and suitable theming modifications, which means it should be GPL, too, doesn't it?

Peter

Intel debuts Linux-based "Mobile Internet Device" (LinuxDevices)

Posted Apr 18, 2007 13:20 UTC (Wed) by i3839 (subscriber, #31386) [Link]

GTK is LGPL, so proprietary add-ons are possible.

Intel debuts Linux-based "Mobile Internet Device" (LinuxDevices)

Posted Apr 18, 2007 19:05 UTC (Wed) by dufkaf (subscriber, #10358) [Link]

AFAIK Hildon is not proprietary, see
https://stage.maemo.org/svn/maemo/projects/haf/trunk/
for the source and see also this
http://maemo.org/pipermail/maemo-developers/2007-April/00...
or this
http://maemo.org/pipermail/maemo-developers/2007-April/00...