The Intel-sponsored Moblin project announced an alpha 2 release of its Moblin v2 mobile device stack, which targets Intel Atom-based netbooks. The open-source Linux stack and development toolkit adds a Gnome desktop, updates UI libraries and graphics, and offers tested support for the MSI Wind… netbook.

The alpha release of Moblin v2 was released in late January, featuring faster boots, a new ConnMan connectivity manager, a new Moblin Image Creator (MIC2), and new Moblin Core Components, including Clutter. Moblin also saw a shift in focus from its original emphasis on Atom-based mobile Internet devices (MIDs) to Atom-based netbooks, which are the fastest-growing sector of the personal computing market. A MID-focused Moblin v2 distribution that supports Intel's upcoming “Moorestown” mobile processor and adds cellular voice capability, will ship in 2010, says Intel.

MSI Wind (Click for details)

The alpha 2 release of Moblin v2 offers the following enhancements, says the project:

• Updated UI libraries (Clutter, etc.)
• Updated graphics subsystem with KMS (Kernel-based Mode Setting) early integration
• Updated Moblin system services
• Support for the MSI Wind (pictured)
• Updated ConnMan with many improvements and bug fixes
• Updated and enhanced boot process, inter-process, and package interactions
• Many updates to the OS libraries
• Updated XFCE (v4.6) desktop
• Updated to Kernel 2.6.29-rc7
• Gnome 2.26 RC release
• Updated Moblin Image Creator (MIC2)
• Development for software and applications for Moblin, and other fixes

In addition to the tested support for the MSI Wind netbook, the release has been tested on three of the most popular netbook models: the previously supported Acer Aspire One, Asus EeePC 901, and Dell Mini 9. Known issues in the release include some remaining slowness in 3D performance, and lack of support for platforms using the GMA-500 graphics chipset, says Moblin.org. The project did not release an updated timeline for the beta version of v2, which was originally scheduled for release in April.

Availability

The Moblin announcement of the Moblin v2 alpha 2 release, with links to download pages and other resources, should be here. More information on the original alpha release may be found in our initial coverage, here, as well as in our first look review.

 
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