NetbookTech

Dell and Canonical announced last week the availability of the Ubuntu Moblin Remix Developer Edition for the Dell Inspiron Mini 10v netbook.

Ubuntu Moblin Remix Developer Edition is a new Linux distribution combining the core Moblin version 2.0 interfaces, libraries, and applications with the internals of Ubuntu Linux 9.04. The distribution is called a “Developer Edition” since it’s still a “work in progress” – (which means the rest of us might call it an Alpha or a Beta version but whatever).

Ubuntu Moblin Remix Developer Edition can be purchased factory-installed on the Mini 10v at www.dell.com/ubuntu. You can also download the Ubuntu Moblin Remix installation image at the Dell Moblin wiki page here – http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Moblin.

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Freescale Semiconductor entered the netbook market last month with the introduction of their new i.MX515 processor and a netbook reference design based on Ubuntu Linux. Today, the company announced several new options for netbooks based on the i.MX515 processor – including three new operating systems and two new 3G connectivity options.  (If you’re not familiar with the i.MX515 processor, make sure to check out the Freescale page on the product.)

On the OS front, Freescale announced the following OSs will support the new i.MX515 processor:

• Google’s Android platform
• Phoenix HyperSpace – easy to use, instant-on OS
• Xandros customized Linux solution

On the 3G front, Freescale announced new collaborations with Wavecom and Option which will deliver 3G solutions optimized for the i.MX515 processor.

Volume production for the i.MX515 device is planned for the second quarter of this year with netbooks expected in time for the 2009 holiday shopping season. Support for the above OSs as well as 3G connectivity is expected to be available with volume production of the i.MX515.

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