Intel has acquired
mobile Linux developer OpenedHand to help widen its development
projects in this slowly growing market segment.
UK-based OpenedHand
will join the Intel Open Source Technology Center, and will focus
on Intel Moblin development for mobile internet devices.
OpenedHand said Intel will continue to support open source
projects led by OpenedHand staff, including Clutter and
Matchbox.
OpenedHand contributions will now be made available from the
Intel Software Network's open source site.
Matchbox is used by Nokia on a range of its
Linux-based mobile web devices. OpenedHand also maintains the
free GNOME-based Poky Linux distribution for mobile phones and
other devices.
Intel launched its Moblin project last summer. The project
develops software that can be used with Intel's Atom
processors.
The commercial availability of Linux-driven devices is limited,
with the market dominated by devices supported by Symbian, Windows,
Palm and Blackberry software.
However, some analysts believe that over the next five years,
Linux will become the number two mobile OS behind Symbian, as more
mobile hardware providers back it.