Xandros and Canonical are the latest Linux distributions to announce plans to develop versions of their operating systems based on Moblin. The Moblin Linux distribution, which is backed by Intel and managed by the Linux Foundation is a custom version of Linux optimized for Intel Atom powered mini-laptops. It boots quickly, takes advantage of the chip’s power saving features, and most importantly, is designed to blur the lines between web apps and desktop apps. In other words, it focuses heavily on the “net” portion of “netbook.”

Moblin 2.0 is still in the development stages. But the makers of Linpus Linux Lite have already launched a version of their operating system based on Moblin. Yesterday Xandros announced that it’s also working on an updated version of its operating system built around Moblin. The Moblin-based version of Xandros will likely find its way onto future Asus Eee PC netbooks. Xandros has is Asus’s netbook Linux distribution of choice since day one.

And Computer World reports that Canonical, the makers of the popular Ubuntu Linux operating system, plan  to demonstrate a version of Ubuntu Netbook Remix based on Moblin this week. There’s no word on when that version of Ubuntu Netbook Remix will be available to the public.

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5 replies on “Xandros, Canonical working on Moblin-based Linux distros for netbooks”

  1. Moblin has got potential. You wouldn’t even know it was linux, and if it lets you use better codecs, then it’ll be an awesome little machine.

    It feels very organic, using it. More intuitive than windows or mac, and it does everything you expect a netbook to do, without all the clutter of a full OS.

    It lacks proper video codecs at the moment 🙁 but seriously. Try moblin, they’ve got instructions for a live usb on their site.

  2. Okay, I have to say it is becoming unhelpful to the extreme to keep track about what the hell Moblin is or to get some sort of identity attached to it. How many versions of Moblin based Linux distribution do we have to parse before nobody knows what Moblin Linux is except for some nerd experts.

    And at that point who cares.
    – Do you run Linux?
    – What kind?
    – Okay, what kind of what kind of what kind?
    – Does it work with my Linux?
    – Oh, you have no idea either?
    – Hey, lets switch to Windows because this Linux stuff is inpenatrable BS.

    1. Ultimately you’ll just say that you’re using Xandros, or Linpus, or
      whatever… Or maybe you won’t even say that at all. If you get
      smartbook running one of these operating systems from your telecom you
      might not care what OS it’s running at all.

      But as to the larger point, there are a hundred Linux distributions
      based on Ubuntu… which is itself based on Debian. But you usually
      just tell people you’re running Ubuntu, or Linux Mint, or Eeebuntu, or
      some other distributions.

      It’s sort of like the way there are a number of web browsers based on
      Webkit. Nobody says they’re surfing the web with webkit. They use
      Safari, Google Chrome, etc…

      But right now we’re still in the early stages of Moblin… and this is
      a site for geeks, so I cover Moblin news. 🙂

      1. I’m not saying don’t cover it, I’m just saying there is a problem. If the ‘greater’ Linux community is angry at why Microsoft with Widows does so well, it is because Linux is impenetrable when there are hundreds of distributions with dozens of names each. It doesn’t matter if all you just say that you’re using Xandros, or Linpus, or
        whatever because taht is not being expressed. LINUX is being expressed each and every time, yet you’re saying that really is meaningless.

        The reason why nobody says they’re surfing the web with Webkit when they use Safari, Google Chrome is because nobody is bending over backwards to even mention Webkit except in tiny print at the bottom of each browser.

        If ultimately Xandros, Lipus, etc matter they should forbid the word of Linux to be used with the public at all. At most Linux should be put in tiny 6 pt font at the bottom of the website and on the “About” tab in an even smaller font.

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