“Mobile Internet devices (MIDs) have been the focus of much work
and talk from chip giant Intel, which says its Atom processor will
fit nicely into these smaller devices. In a recent interview with
the AP, Intel chief Paul Otellini says MIDs favor Linux. I’ve
written previously about the opportunities for Linux in the growing
device category ranging from these MIDs to ‘subnotebooks,’ ‘UMPCs,’
‘netbooks,’ or whatever other name we analysts come up with next
week. No one can be sure what form factor (or name) would best
carry Linux to a significant portion of the mainstream PC market,
but I agree whole-heartedly with Otellini’s view that the driver
here is cost. Linux is serving not only as the OS for end users,
but it is increasingly the choice and focus of OEMs and ISVs.
Consider Linux player Wind River’s recent
partnership with Intel to produce a Moblin-based Linux specifically
for Intel’s Atom and MIDs…”