Ubuntu Developing Open-Source Linux-Based OS for Mobile Devices

Ubuntu, which makes a free version of Linux for PCs, is developing a version of this operating system for mobile devices like UMPCs.

This won't be developed by an in-house team of programmers. Like the versions for desktops and servers, the mobile one will be created by a community of experienced developers and users on a volunteer basis.

But they won't be doing it alone. According to a statement by Matt Zimmerman from Technical Board , Intel will make "significant contributions of technology, people and expertise" to this project.

This makes it clear that the Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded project will be based on one of the Intel processors recently announced. These are for UMPCs, not handhelds or smartphones, which gives a hint of what type of devices this version will be intended for.

Aside from that, though, essentially nothing is known, possibly because what will be including in this operating system hasn't been decided yet. Additional planning for this project is happening at the Ubuntu Developer Summit, going on this week.

The plan is to release the first version of the Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded project in October.

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