Bossa Conference 2008: Ubuntu for UMPCs
Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded (UME) will be out soon, and Linux Magazine Brazil had a preview at Bossa Conference 2008, presented by Adilson Oliveira from Canonical. UME is targeted at connectivity devices, such as UMPCs and MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices), but not at cell phones, as they are "too closed", according to Oliveira.
Canonical's UME tests are currently being undertaken on a Samsung Internet tablet device that originally had Windows running. The first stable version of UME will be out in May, and will be based on Hardy Heron, with packages directly derived from the official ones. At first it will be available only for x86 processors, which is why it needs notebook-like hardware. However, it is completely focused on touchscreen interfaces, with its current GUI roughly based on Nokia's Maemo.
The web browser is based on Firefox and all applications are displayed full screen by default. The test hardware sports many connectivity interfaces, with a video-out jack, multiple USB jacks, bluetooth and wireless, and is powered by a 900MHz Celeron processor with 1GB RAM.
UME enjoys strong support by Intel, and in the USA there are many OEMs and ODMs ready to include the modified distribution in their products. However, there are still some major hindrances. Connectivity devices are not meant to be switched off, but suspended instead – and returning from this state still takes longer than users would tolerate. Also, boot times – which, once again, should never happen – are too long, and the use of LinuxBIOS in the devices is not possible, as manufacturers provide their specifications and UME can only conform to those.
UME will follow "regular" Ubuntu's release schedule, i.e. a new version every six months. Ubuntu software packages not specifically made for UME can also be installed, but their interfaces will actually be just like in a desktop, instead of following the mobile interface guidelines.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Kernel Project Releases Project Continuity Document
What happens to Linux when there's no Linus? It's a question many of us have asked over the years, and it seems it's also on the minds of the Linux kernel project.
-
Mecha Systems Introduces Linux Handheld
Mecha Systems has revealed its Mecha Comet, a new handheld computer powered by – you guessed it – Linux.
-
MX Linux 25.1 Features Dual Init System ISO
The latest release of MX Linux caters to lovers of two different init systems and even offers instructions on how to transition.
-
Photoshop on Linux?
A developer has patched Wine so that it'll run specific versions of Photoshop that depend on Adobe Creative Cloud.
-
Linux Mint 22.3 Now Available with New Tools
Linux Mint 22.3 has been released with a pair of new tools for system admins and some pretty cool new features.
-
New Linux Malware Targets Cloud-Based Linux Installations
VoidLink, a new Linux malware, should be of real concern because of its stealth and customization.
-
Say Goodbye to Middle-Mouse Paste
Both Gnome and Firefox have proposed getting rid of a long-time favorite Linux feature.
-
Manjaro 26.0 Primary Desktop Environments Default to Wayland
If you want to stick with X.Org, you'll be limited to the desktop environments you can choose.
-
Mozilla Plans to AI-ify Firefox
With a new CEO in control, Mozilla is doubling down on a strategy of trust, all the while leaning into AI.
-
Gnome Says No to AI-Generated Extensions
If you're a developer wanting to create a new Gnome extension, you'd best set aside that AI code generator, because the extension team will have none of that.