People need to watch the Moblin 2.0 video. It looks awesome! The YouTube link is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsCpIeLLoT8
Perhaps Moblin should become the default OS installation on ALL netbooks/tablets.
1. It boots in 7 seconds (sorry Splashtop).
2. It provides a slick, touch-friendly UI, suitable for small displays & tablets.
3. There are plans to incorporate the Android framework, so Android apps will run on it.
4. Windows could be offered, as an option, for those wanting to run Windows apps. Virtualization would allow Windows apps to be launched from within Moblin.
5. ... (there are tons of other reasons!)
I think the possible marriage of Android & Moblin is REALLY exciting! It would be cool, to be able to run Android apps on the Moblin desktop.
Intel boosts Atom; puts a new face on Moblin
Summary
Intel puts it focus on netbooks with a preview of its next-generation Atom chip and a new beta version of its Linux-based Moblin netbook platform, with a new interface.
Topics
Intel on Tuesday gave the first preview of its next-generation Atom chip, with a more integrated design intended to improve performance and energy efficiency.
The company also launched the beta of version 2.0 of the Linux-based Moblin netbook platform, with a new interface.The upcoming Atom chip, code-named 'Pineview', incorporates the memory controller and graphics chip onto a the same silicon as the processor, a more efficient design that should lower costs for system builders, lower energy consumption and improve performance, Intel said.
In current Atom-based systems, the memory controller and graphics circuitry are on a separate chip, as are the input-output (I/O) functions, for a total of three chips. The platform of which Pineview is a part, called 'Pine Trail', thus reduces the total number of chips from three to two, Intel said. The second Pine Trail chip, which provides I/O functions, is called 'Tiger Point'.
"We have a processor, we have a chipset, and we have an I/O hub. What we've done is reduce that three-chip partition to a two-chip partition," Noury Al-Khaledy, general manager of Nettop and Netbook Computing at Intel, said during a teleconference announcing the new platform.
The Pineview chip can rely on its own integrated graphics or work with third-party graphics chips such as Nvidia's Ion, Al-Khaledy said.
Pine Trail is scheduled to be available in the fourth quarter of this year.
Atom currently powers the majority of netbooks, the fastest-growing segment of the PC market. Nearly one-fifth of all laptops shipped in the first quarter of 2009 were netbooks, according to DisplaySearch.
The first beta version of Moblin 2.0, also introduced on Tuesday, brings in a new user interface called the M-zone, or "My Zone". This replaces the standard desktop with a tab-based display that provides direct access to email, instant messaging and social-networking sites such as Facebook.
Moblin also now allows computer makers to customize the software's look and feel, said Intel, which handed over stewardship of the platform's development to the Linux Foundation in April. The open-source software platform is specifically tailored for use on Intel's Atoms.
Moblin currently competes with Windows XP and other versions of Linux on netbooks and on mini-desktops called "nettops". Al-Khaledy said Intel is currently seeing 20 or 25 percent market share for Moblin on netbooks and nettops.
IDC, however, said it expects Windows to increasingly dominate the netbook market, with all versions of Linux combined to account for 4.5 percent of netbooks shipping this year.
The beta test version of Moblin 2.0 is available immediately and can be downloaded from the Moblin website.
This article was originally posted on ZDNet UK.
Just In
I think this would fly before trying to customize Android itself to fit. It would also lead to even better apps for the Android platform. I like the idea and like the look of this customization by Intel. It would be nice to see it as the default. I wouldn't be to surprised if the OEM's went that route.
Here is a link to the video with Paul Otellini of Intel discussing the incorporation of Android in Moblin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqE7Yed5rng&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqE7Yed5rng&feature=player_embedded
Moblin sure looks nice - if you just want the basic stuff.
But if you want to run that occasional specialized application, will it have any compatibility?
When it comes down to it, most people just want a familiar OS that runs all of their applications, including the occasional specialized one that isn't really available anywhere else.
But if you want to run that occasional specialized application, will it have any compatibility?
When it comes down to it, most people just want a familiar OS that runs all of their applications, including the occasional specialized one that isn't really available anywhere else.
There's a lot of applications that you should not try to run on a netbook, even if you technically can. For those I would suggest setting up a remote desktop connection with your primary computer. There are not too many of those specialized apps that do not run well over RDC. Except 3D games perhaps, but if I wanted mobile 3D games I'd pony up the cash for one of the lightweight Core 2 laptops.
The normal FUD/arguments simply don't work in the netbook realm. But they'll keep riding this "specialized app" mess right into the ground. Funny thing is that I often see articles about people doing some rather intensive stuff on their Linux netbooks. Its mostly things I would not have thought about doing on a small underpowered PC.
People buy $300 machine not for toy.
Are you Borat?
People do not buy $300 machines to run $1000 software. Which, aside from 3D games (and as you say, this is not a toy) is about all that cannot run on one of these machines.
The original poster brings up a good point as to whether you can install ANY more software (aside from the Android software previously mentioned) and that is a good question that hopefully I'll have the answer to once I get a chance to test drive it. But any type of software that one would realistically put on a $300 computer would run fine assuming there is a method of install. And any other type of software that one would put on a more expensive machine would run fine over a RDC to the netbook so long as there are not any 3D display constraints, and as I said before if 3D were an issue I would not be buying a $300 computer to run it on anyway.
The original poster brings up a good point as to whether you can install ANY more software (aside from the Android software previously mentioned) and that is a good question that hopefully I'll have the answer to once I get a chance to test drive it. But any type of software that one would realistically put on a $300 computer would run fine assuming there is a method of install. And any other type of software that one would put on a more expensive machine would run fine over a RDC to the netbook so long as there are not any 3D display constraints, and as I said before if 3D were an issue I would not be buying a $300 computer to run it on anyway.
...much less...and the biggest barrier to that will be a certain OS. The fact is that they are small and underpowered so pricing them near the cost of a full laptop makes them pointless...they won't do what a full laptop does.
I've said many times that when the price comes down they will really find their stride.
I've said many times that when the price comes down they will really find their stride.
Which further implies it as FUD.
You didn't mention what this occasional specialized application normally runs on....don't just assume. Second do we know that a netbook has the juice to run this specialized application?
Most people just want something thats easy to use...familiar or not. This seems to be geared towards the young social media type that just wants to IM, check email, play music etc....not somebody that wants to run Photoshop or AutoCAD which are the normal first line FUD attacks.
As I've said many times...people pick up different cell phone interfaces just fine. You give them a new market of device where there is no "normal" look and feel and they'll continue to pick it up just fine.
Most people just want something thats easy to use...familiar or not. This seems to be geared towards the young social media type that just wants to IM, check email, play music etc....not somebody that wants to run Photoshop or AutoCAD which are the normal first line FUD attacks.
As I've said many times...people pick up different cell phone interfaces just fine. You give them a new market of device where there is no "normal" look and feel and they'll continue to pick it up just fine.
In my case, Microsoft Office 2007, especially OneNote for college notes. Doesn't require a lot of power, a netbook handles it fine.
And some old games. Can't play new games on it, but it works great with some old classics
.
"You give them a new market of device where there is no 'normal' look and feel and they'll continue to pick it up just fine."
Problem is,there is a "normal" look and feel for laptops - and a netbook is essentially a small laptop.
And some old games. Can't play new games on it, but it works great with some old classics
."You give them a new market of device where there is no 'normal' look and feel and they'll continue to pick it up just fine."
Problem is,there is a "normal" look and feel for laptops - and a netbook is essentially a small laptop.
Stop this 'brand fetish' of yours. You don't need 'One Note', what you
need is a tool that enables you to do exactly what OneNote provides - of
which there are many.
need is a tool that enables you to do exactly what OneNote provides - of
which there are many.
You don't buy a netbook to run all your applications.
There clue is in the name! NET BOOK.
Besides,
Most people do;
1. Internet browsing - Pass
2. Listen to music -Pass
3. Watch Youtube - pass
4. Social Networking - pass
Any other application than mentioned above is specialised, and yes that includes Office...
You don't buy a netbook to word process, nor to do your tax returns, or video editing, if you do then you have got it all wrong and would be very disappointed, even with your hallowed XP.
There clue is in the name! NET BOOK.
Besides,
Most people do;
1. Internet browsing - Pass
2. Listen to music -Pass
3. Watch Youtube - pass
4. Social Networking - pass
Any other application than mentioned above is specialised, and yes that includes Office...
You don't buy a netbook to word process, nor to do your tax returns, or video editing, if you do then you have got it all wrong and would be very disappointed, even with your hallowed XP.
"You don't buy a netbook to word process, nor to do your tax returns, or video editing"
You could still most likely do those things with this netbook OS. And the word processing argument may be a thing of the past with MS attempting to support ODF.
But I thinks its clear that the OEM's don't believe that people want these things to run "specialized" software or work as a normal PC. Thats the reason they keep coming up with these specialized interfaces that put the normal netbook tasks right in your face.
You could still most likely do those things with this netbook OS. And the word processing argument may be a thing of the past with MS attempting to support ODF.
But I thinks its clear that the OEM's don't believe that people want these things to run "specialized" software or work as a normal PC. Thats the reason they keep coming up with these specialized interfaces that put the normal netbook tasks right in your face.
I DO word process (and do other office suite tasks) and even did my taxes (or some of them) on my netbook this year. And I was using Netbook Remix. Now I haven't tried Moblin yet (but I am downloading it as we speak) but I can't imagine that it won't be capable of the same things. As far as I can tell it's just the window manager that's different from a user's standpoint, which is hardly any difference at all from a technical standpoint.
I'm thinking of getting one for my wife, so she could check email. They are too small for me...I can't stand typing on them when I have looked at them in the store. But she is petite enough to type on one.
But you do see people "elude" to the fact that they are end all of mobile computing. Which I personally think is a farce.
But you do see people "elude" to the fact that they are end all of mobile computing. Which I personally think is a farce.
Netbooks are most certainly NOT the end all of mobile computing, and I do not see anybody eluding to such a claim*. It is merely one solution that fits a lot of people's needs. No single solution fits everybody's needs. That is why you need such a wide variety of products. If your preferred mobile solution is a smart phone or a heavier laptop, power to you.
*Except the OLPC, however they are most certainly a biased party in this discussion, and only their product is the end all.
*Except the OLPC, however they are most certainly a biased party in this discussion, and only their product is the end all.
comments. It's so obvious that most of the posters have never
touched a netbook much less used one for more than a day.
It's about portability and power. For the size and price netbooks are
more than powerful enough. I carry my netbook with me all the time
because it's convenient. I only carried my notebook if I knew I was
going to need it.
Do I have Office 2007 on the thing? Yes. Do I use it regularly? No. I
do almost all my "office" type work with the netbook on Google Docs.
Very nice.
I use VNC to get to a "real" computer on the very rare (once needed to
) occasions it is needed. I don't walk out of my office and grab the
netbook to do work outside.
As for price, $300.00 is not bad. When anyone says they can get a
"real" notebook for that price it's not really much more than a
netbook, and it certainly isn't a notebook that can do desktop stuff.
Sony thinks they can sell a small notebook for $900.00. The Vaio P
series. Pretty cool, not quite in my budget, but I'll bet many people
will snatch them up.
touched a netbook much less used one for more than a day.
It's about portability and power. For the size and price netbooks are
more than powerful enough. I carry my netbook with me all the time
because it's convenient. I only carried my notebook if I knew I was
going to need it.
Do I have Office 2007 on the thing? Yes. Do I use it regularly? No. I
do almost all my "office" type work with the netbook on Google Docs.
Very nice.
I use VNC to get to a "real" computer on the very rare (once needed to
) occasions it is needed. I don't walk out of my office and grab the
netbook to do work outside.
As for price, $300.00 is not bad. When anyone says they can get a
"real" notebook for that price it's not really much more than a
netbook, and it certainly isn't a notebook that can do desktop stuff.
Sony thinks they can sell a small notebook for $900.00. The Vaio P
series. Pretty cool, not quite in my budget, but I'll bet many people
will snatch them up.
That's great.
The combo Google Docs/VNC can really help!
The combo Google Docs/VNC can really help!
I recently installed Office 2007 on an Acer netbook. Installed fine and works fine. What people don't seem to get is that though an Atom processor is weak and slow compared to todays latest processors, it is similar to what was a high end processor only a few short years ago. Though a netbook won't do everything a higher end laptop will, they will do a lot more than some people think and certainly a lot more than surfing, emial, and IM.
Yes, I do word processing on a netbook.
"Any other application than mentioned above is specialised, and yes that includes Office..."
I'd disagree vehemently. Word Processing is something that came out long before the Internet and frankly is the reason why man invented computers at all. Every computer on the planet does it in some form or another. To say that a word processor is "specialized" is like saying duct tape is only for patching heater ducts.
Now you're just being absurd.
It actually works very nicely as a word processing machine, thanks.
"Any other application than mentioned above is specialised, and yes that includes Office..."
I'd disagree vehemently. Word Processing is something that came out long before the Internet and frankly is the reason why man invented computers at all. Every computer on the planet does it in some form or another. To say that a word processor is "specialized" is like saying duct tape is only for patching heater ducts.
Now you're just being absurd.
It actually works very nicely as a word processing machine, thanks.
Actually, the same qualities that make netbooks attractive to casual users also makes them interesting for some specialized tasks. For example, I have field workers who use them for GPS mapping, using ArcMap software. The very small form factor and light weight are perfect for that application. We are replacing high end tablet PCs with netbooks, at considerable cost savings. Besides, if they drop one, it is no big deal to replace, unlike the expensive tablets.
A friend of mine has also put several in use at various locations at a golf course, running POS software. Once again, the small size and low cost were the big selling point. I bet that, as we apply our imagination to this, we will come up with numerous uses for these machines.
A friend of mine has also put several in use at various locations at a golf course, running POS software. Once again, the small size and low cost were the big selling point. I bet that, as we apply our imagination to this, we will come up with numerous uses for these machines.
The bottom line is most people want more than Moblin offers in the way of office aps or these machines would all already be running linux. They aren't.
The first thing I installed on my machine was antivirus and the second was an office package. In my case I was willing to settle for open office but the whole point of these machines is that they can do the basics and moblin can't.
The first thing I installed on my machine was antivirus and the second was an office package. In my case I was willing to settle for open office but the whole point of these machines is that they can do the basics and moblin can't.
"...or these machines would all already be running linux."
So it isn't possible for any competing platforms to improve sufficiently
that they might develop a market for themselves?
Have you even tried the live image? What was your experience with the
image?
So it isn't possible for any competing platforms to improve sufficiently
that they might develop a market for themselves?
Have you even tried the live image? What was your experience with the
image?
this means that Intel will actually have fully working drivers for its chipset under Moblin (and Linux by extension). It'd be a much easier sell to netbook/nettop/net* manufacturers which would pass the savings onto the consumers. Add Android support on top of that and you will easily sell me one.
I have an EEEpc 900. I have installed Win XP, Open Office, FireFox, Skype, Media Player, a few movies, a bunch of music, Picasa, and several other programs on it. It works just fine for trips where luggage space is at a premium. When I was sitting at the gate in the airport video chatting over WiFi with my wife while I waited for the plane, I realized just how cool and useful a tiny netbook can be. It was even more clear when I watched two full length movies during my 5 hour flight and still had enough room on my lap tray for drinks and snacks. After all this, when I landed, I still had 20% battery left to log on and get my hotel confirmation information and print driving directions.
If I had tried to do all of this with my 15" laptop, it would have died near the end of the first movie after all the video chatting in the airport. If I had used my 17" laptop, it would have died shortly after the video chatting. For traveling, a net book is just the best thing since rental cars.
If I had tried to do all of this with my 15" laptop, it would have died near the end of the first movie after all the video chatting in the airport. If I had used my 17" laptop, it would have died shortly after the video chatting. For traveling, a net book is just the best thing since rental cars.
So does putting the memory controller in the CPU violate AMD Copyrights???
Why not just run it on an AMD Processor?
Am I the only one questioning the design as being original?
Why not just run it on an AMD Processor?
Am I the only one questioning the design as being original?
the only software AMD produces are chipset drivers, or maybe some of the extra software included with ATI cards, and they would not work on Intel hardware anyway. So no there is no evidence of copyright violation whatsoever.
As far as this being an original chipset design, I don't recall anybody claiming it was original, just that it was a new design for the Atom line. And as far as using AMD processors instead, I don't think AMD has anything that can compete in the netbook market at this time.
As far as this being an original chipset design, I don't recall anybody claiming it was original, just that it was a new design for the Atom line. And as far as using AMD processors instead, I don't think AMD has anything that can compete in the netbook market at this time.
I wonder how the pineville chip will compare with the new ARM Cortex-A8 chips as far as price and power consumption go.
I'm quadbooting (OSX/UNR/Vista/XP) my netbook MSi Wind and have been trying out Moblin for the past few days via USB Live CD. It's actually a nice start for the OS. I was impressed with the speed and layout of it, but in the end, software makes or breaks an OS. I say add more social media (Facebook and MySpace integration; Twitter is already there) and IM integration.
I didn't see any word processing app to start, but will check when it's installed properly. Works great with internet, calendar, and layout. Will be looking forward to the final version of Moblin.
I didn't see any word processing app to start, but will check when it's installed properly. Works great with internet, calendar, and layout. Will be looking forward to the final version of Moblin.
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