MWC 2010: Nokia and Intel announce MeeGo Linux-based device platform

I am a big fan of the Maemo 5 platform as you can see in my Definitive Nokia N900 Guide so the news that Nokia and Intel are combining Moblin and Maemo to create the MeeGo Linux-based software platform for future mobile computers, notebooks, tablets, and more is quite exciting. MeeGo will also offer the Qt application development environment and allow developers to feature applications in the Ovi Store and Intel's AppUpSM Center. Looking at the Nokia plot of their operating systems it looks like Maemo is out while MeeGo replaces it moving forward too.

Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo stated:

MeeGo will drive an even wider range of Internet computing and communication experiences for consumers, on new types of mobile devices. Through open innovation, MeeGo will create an ecosystem that is second to none, drawing in players from different industries. It will support a range of business models across the value chain, building on the experience and expertise of Nokia, Intel and all those who will join us. Simply put, MeeGo heralds a new era of mobile computing.

With Nokia's high quality devices and Intel's solid processors we should see some interesting pieces of hardware. I have not seen any news of hardware demonstrations or a time table for any device releases yet.