Intel praised for backing mobile Linux

Intel's recent moves to embrace Linux for its consumer ultra mobile devices is likely to signal a major shift in the battle over web content and delivery, industry experts predict.

According to Gartner, the chip giant's switch to Linux for mobile internet devices moves the personal device argument away from Windows and platform discussions towards web technology.

The move will also shift the focus of the discussion away from the operating system platform and towards content.

"As a result, recruiting strong content and service providers will be a critical success factor for the ecosystem, opening it up to new targeted development," stated a new Gartner research paper.

"At the same time, this move away from an OS/platform focus could lead to a new round of industry battles around web content and service delivery.

"We can imagine a Nokia/Samsung/Intel battle over Linux mini-tablets optimised for the web, similar to Nokia's N800 Linux tablet, or a small cellular-enabled Linux mini-tablet with an innovative user interface which might compete against Apple and the iPhone."

The comments come after Intel recently backed China's Red Flag and Canonical, the supplier of Ubuntu Linux, as its first Linux OS vendors for mobile internet devices.

Gartner noted that the Linux announcement accompanied Intel's introduction of the Ultra Mobile Platform, the silicon to run its ultra mobile PC and the mobile internet device.

Linux support will be available for mobile internet devices with the next generation of the Ultra Mobile Platform, expected in 2008 and code-named Menlow.

"Mobile internet devices, with 4in to 5in screens, will be consumer oriented, internet-centric devices used for "staying in touch", entertainment, information and location-based services," the analyst firm stated.

"Connectivity to optimise the web experience will be critical to their success. Expect multiple radios, including Wi-Fi, wireless Wan, Bluetooth and GPS, with WiMax added in the future."

Using Linux will, according to Gartner's report, enable these devices to reduce costs, software footprints and boot times, as well as improve performance and extend battery life.

"Linux is also important because the ecosystem that will potentially develop around this OS, as well as the applications that will run on it, are critical to the success of the device," Gartner stated.

"Although the consumer is unlikely to care what OS is running on the mobile internet device, the device cannot succeed without attracting a development community to create a robust platform at an affordable price point."

Gartner advises enterprises to view the current generation of ultra mobile Linux devices as proofs-of-concept and indications of the more mature devices that will appear in 2008 and beyond.