A project to optimize X for mobile platforms got a boost from Nokia, which funded improvements to the Matchbox window manager used in the Linux-based webpad it announced today. OpenedHand, which maintains Matchbox, says it worked with Nokia for more than two years on the device.

(Click for larger view of Maemo interface on Nokia 770)

Most embedded Linux devices use alternative lightweight graphics frameworks such as Qt, miniGUI, PIXIL, microwindows, Tiny-X, or bare framebuffers with custom graphics libraries. Devices that run the X window system offer one tremendous advantage, however — they can run standard Linux X applications, without modifications.

Matchbox was originally created to improve the suitability of the X Window system on mobile platforms. With funding from Nokia, OpenedHand adapted the software to increase performance and reduce memory footprint, according to project leader Matthew Allum.

Matchbox is a fundamental technology in Maemo, the open source Linux distribution that powers the Nokia 770

Additionally, Allum says OpenedHand helped Nokia test and develop software for the 770 Internet Tablet, and gave advice on system architecture.

Carlos Guerreiro of Nokia Multimedia said,”OpenedHand has done great work enhancing the Matchbox Window Manager to meet the needs of the Maemo Platform and the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, while keeping it generic and usable across a wide range of handheld devices. In addition, they've made substantial contributions to improving the performance and reducing the memory consumption of key software components used in the Nokia 770, such as the X Window system and Pango.”

Additional details about the Nokia 770 are available here. Slides from Allum's February, 2004 talk at FOSDEM can be found here, while his 2002 whitepaper about it is here.

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