Hot on the heels of Dell"s recent announcement to begin shipping laptops preloaded with the Ubuntu Linux operating system, Canonical (corporate backer of the Ubuntu project) announced today the development of a Ubuntu Mobile operating system and help from processor giant Intel.
"To fulfil the aims of our mission and in response to the technical challenges that these devices pose, we are announcing the Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded project ... we are delighted to be working with Intel on this version of Ubuntu. Intel are making significant contributions of technology, people and expertise to the project," said Matt Zimmerman, Ubuntu"s Chief Technology Office, in the announcement.
In a video interview with Ubuntu project founder Mark Shuttleworth on the Direct2Dell website after the announcement of Dell"s partnership with Canonical, Shuttleworth made reference to future plans to launch Ubuntu in embedded systems and other devices, but did not give any specifics at the time in reference to todays announcement.
"Three years on, it is clear that new types of device - small, handheld, graphical tablets which are Internet-enabled are going to change the way we communicate and collaborate. These devices place new demands on open source software and require innovative graphical interfaces, improved power management and better responsiveness," said Zimmerman.
Ubuntu will start more detailed planning at the Ubuntu Developer Summit next week and the first release of this edition will be in October with Ubuntu 7.10.