Details of Nokia's Maemo 5 Internet Tablet Platform Released

Some information on the next version of the Maemo Linux operating system used on Nokia's Internet Tablet devices was given this week during a presentation at the OSiM World conference currently underway in Berlin.

While no specific details were given on new models by Dr. Ari Kaaksi, an overview of Maemo 5 showed the direction that Nokia is taking with its community-driven, open-source platform.

More about Maemo 5

Maemo 5 is the name given to the fifth generation of the operating system that powers Nokia's Internet Tablets. The next iteration is already rumored to be much more consumer-friendly than the current OS2008 Feature Pack 1 (also called Diablo).

Other additions to Maemo 5 will include:

• Support for High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), a 3G standard.
• A move to Texas Instrument's (TI) OMAP3 processors.
• And support for high definition camera sensors/optics.

Neither screenshots or data pertaining to backward compatibility were given in this presentation. However, there will be a developer workshop taking place at the OSiM World conference in which further details about Maemo 5 might be shared.

Linux Foundation Gold Sponsor

Also mentioned during the presentation was the announcement that Nokia has become a Gold Sponsor of the Linux Foundation. The Linux Foundation is a non-profit association of companies and developers who work together to create and incorporate standards within Linux development.

Nokia's contributions to the Linux foundation include becoming the first to contribute code on HSPA cellular connectivity for OMAP3 processor to the Linux kernel.

Future development such as power management, the SSI (Synchronous Serial Interface) hardware driver for OMAP3, and the link layer and network layer protocols for the modem will also be aspects of Nokia's contributions to the Linux community.

More about Maemo and Nokia's Internet Tablets

Maemo is the name of the open-source operating system, its applications, and community members by which Nokia creates its line of Internet Tablets. These tablets, currently in their fourth generation, leverage Nokia's manufacturing and supply chain management with Linux developers and sponsors to create a handheld Internet device and platform applications.

Current Internet Tablet models include the N800 and N810. An upcoming model, the N810 WiMax Edition, has been announced, though is not yet for sale.

Internet Tablet devices feature Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a web browser based on Mozilla's Firefox 3 called microB, support for VoIP applications, and support for GPS mapping solutions such as Wayfinder (built-in GPS is available on the N810 model).

Application development is handled both by independent developers and large companies who come together under the Maemo umbrella website. Maemo handles marketing, community direction, and communication between the user community, developers, and Nokia.

Related Information:

• Nokia Releases Internet Tablet OS Update
• Access Garnet VM Review
• Nokia N810 Internet Tablet Review
• Nokia N800 Internet Tablet Review

Via Internet Tablet Talk and Dr. Ari Jaaksi's Blog