Transmeta open-sources mobile Linux OS

Transmeta, the company that boasts Linux creator Linus Torvalds asone of its employees, has 'open-sourced' Midori, its mobile Linux operating system.

By releasing the software, Transmeta, which also develops the low-power Crusoe chip for ultra-light devices, hopes to attract industry-wide input for its further development.

David Ditzel, Transmeta vice chairman, said: "We consider Midori Linux to be a technology building block for use by Transmeta, our customers and the open-source community. Through this announcement we are inviting everyone to participate in the operating system's evolution."

He added: "Midori Linux will be attractive for any application that can benefit from full Linux compatibility, low power, low thermals and a smallfootprint."

Mobile Linux is designed for systems without hard disks, such as mobile internet devices. The Japanese word midori, meaning green, reflects the environmentally friendly aspects of the low power Linux operating system developed to work in harmony with Crusoe-based mobile devices, the company explained.

Enhancements to the distribution include power management to conserve energy, and the reduction of memory footprint.

Eddie Bleasdale, chairman of user group, the Forum for Linux and Open Source Software, said: "The success of Linux in embedded and mobile devices will be huge. It is growing by leaps and bounds because it is reliable and there are no viruses for it. When there's a choice between paying money for an operating system and getting one free, there is no choice."

The source code has been released under the GNU General Public Licence (GPL) and is available at http://midori.transmeta.com