Intel will continue supporting open-source projects currently led by OpenedHand

Tag : LINUX
In a statement posted on OpenedHand's Web site , the company said that it is looking forward to working with thechip giant. "The OpenedHand team will join the Intel Open SourceTechnology Centre and will focus on the development of the MoblinSoftware Platform, the optimized software stack for Intel Atomprocessors," according to the statement.
Rob Bamforth , an analyst at Quocirca, said that the move was a demonstration ofthe interest in Linux as a mobile platform. "We saw it earlier thisyear with Nokia buying Trolltech , it's a sign that the mobile space is not as clear-cut assomething like the PC one. There you have a market dominated by PCswith Macs for some specialist users, but mobiles are not like that-- there's a diverse range of products and, if anything, it'sbecoming more diverse," he said.
He said that he thought that Intel's purchase was a way for thechip giant to keep its own options open. "We don't know how thismarket is going to shape up, and it's important to have thatdiverse range of platforms."
OpenedHand employees will continue their existing projects. Thestatement said that Intel will continue supporting open-sourceprojects currently led by OpenedHand staff, such as the Clutter andMatchbox projects, and in most cases will accelerate these projectsas they become an integral part of Moblin.
Bamforth said that the problem with multiplicity of mobile devicesis it makes it more awkward for IT directors looking to incorporatemobile products within a corporate communications network. "The ITmanager will need to look for more powerful tools to manage thesedevices; otherwise, it's like herding cats. The other option isoutsourcing that management and I expect to see a few morecompanies adopt that approach."
Intel was asked for comment but had not responded by press time.
Last month, ABI Research said that Linux was set to take the lion's share of the market forthe so-called mobile internet devices, those bigger than a cellphone but smaller than a laptop.
Intel has already invested in this area by setting up Linux-basedproject Moblin for the development of these devices.