June 04, 2008

Ubuntu Remixes Linux for mobile users

Stripped down OS targeted at developers and notebook manufacturers

By Todd R. Weiss, Computerworld

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To keep up with the growing popularity of the recent wave of low-cost, flash drive-equipped, wireless, small form factor "netbook" computers, Ubuntu Linux Tuesday announced its own specially modified Linux operating system that can run on the machines.

Called Ubuntu Linux Remix, the new operating system will be targeted to OEM vendors that are building their own netbooks for sale to consumers, said Gerry Carr, marketing manager for Canonical, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu around the globe.

Ubuntu Linux Remix is built to be compatible with Intel Corp.'s new Atom processors, which are miniaturized, low-power CPUs that can be used in smaller netbook chassis, Carr said.

Netbooks equipped with Intel Atom CPUs and Ubuntu Linux Remix are expected to be on retailer's shelves in the next six months, he said, at prices estimated between £150 and £250.

Unlike other consumer desktop and enterprise versions of Ubuntu Linux, Remix will be available as a free download, but the company says it is most appropriate for developers and prospective netbook vendors, Carr said.

The new classification of netbook computers provides users with a smaller laptop they can take anywhere, but without all of the features of a standard laptop machine.

Canonical is working to ensure that other popular desktop applications are certified for use on Remix to give users choices in software they can run on the machines.

A key difference with the Remix from the standard desktop Ubuntu Linux is the inclusion of a "launcher" that allows users to start the machines and get online more quickly, Carr said.

"There are also lots of tweaks for the Intel Atom chips, and optimisation, too, for the flash drive (in lieu of a disk-based spinning hard drive) and for other underlying technologies. Probably the major difference ... is that this is very much a device-tied OS" aimed specifically at netbook architectures.

The Ubuntu Linux Remix version may be just the start of a procession of new vendors to join the netbook arena, Carr said. "If the market's successful, I think there will be other players in it," he said.

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Ubuntu Remixes Linux for mobile users

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