Wind River, Intel To Advance Mobile Internet Device Market

Wind River Systems, a leading player in Device Software Optimisation (DSO), has announced that it is collaborating with Intel Corporation to accelerate the Mobile Internet Device (MID) market segment. Wind River, with support from Intel, will develop an open, extensible Moblin-based Linux platform for the MID market. Furthermore, Wind River will introduce a commercial Moblin-based Linux platform specifically optimised for Intel Centrino Atom processor technology-based MIDs.

Wind River Linux Platform for Mobile Internet Devices will be a full-featured, commercial-grade Linux platform that will include Linux distribution, middleware, and mobile applications targeted to deliver rich Internet and media experiences. As part of this effort, Wind River will participate in and contribute code to Moblin.org, an open source community project where Moblin-based technologies are developed. Both the open source and commercial Linux platforms are expected to be available in 2009.

This announcement represents a deepening collaboration between Wind River and Intel focused on enabling Linux solutions for key consumer market segments based on Intel Atom processors.

“Mobile Internet Devices have the potential to be the next high-growth segment in the mobile space,” said Ken Klein, CEO of Wind River. MIDs are making it possible for consumers to carry with them the rich Internet-based experiences they are used to on a PC. MIDs are expected to come in a range of form factors, have a 4- to 6-inch display, integrate rich applications and services, and deliver an intuitive user experience. Linux is well suited to meet the needs of the MID segment given its small footprint, fast responsiveness, easy customisability and low cost characteristics.

“Mobile Internet Devices represent an exciting growth opportunity for Intel, Wind River and the industry,” said Anand Chandrasekher, senior vice president of Intel Corporation and general manager for the Ultra Mobility Group. “Intel’s Atom processor roadmap and its low power characteristics, combined with Wind River’s ability to deliver complete, integrated Moblin-based software solutions, will foster innovation in the ecosystem and enable our customers to bring compelling user experiences to the marketplace.”