The Linux-based MeeGo mobile platform made a strong showing at the Computex conference this year in Taipei. The platform is attracting some interest from hardware makers and mobile Linux software vendors.

When we reviewed the MeeGo 1.0 netbook environment last week, we noted that the official MeeGo system image does not supply a complete Linux distribution. It will be up to downstream Linux distributors and hardware vendors to handle hardware drivers, codecs, and other important bits that are needed to make the operating system practical to use on real hardware. At the time, we expressed our hope for an openSUSE-based MeeGo build from Novell so that users would have an end-to-end MeeGo platform.

Fortunately, it looks like Novell is getting ready to deliver exactly that. In a statement this week, the software vendor announced plans to release its own SUSE MeeGo operating system. The company says that it is already working closely with some OEMs and expects to see SUSE MeeGo ship preinstalled on devices over the next year.

"Novell is passionate about providing users with a better computing experience and MeeGo will deliver on that promise," said Guy Lunardi, Novell's director of client preloads, in a statement. "Our experience as the leading commercial provider of desktop Linux environments—from thin clients, to workstations, through netbooks, notebooks and desktop devices—puts us in a great position to deliver SUSE MeeGo to a broad base of original equipment and device manufacturers."

Novell's commitment to MeeGo is unsurprising because the company played a major role in developing the MeeGo netbook environment alongside Intel. Novell isn't the only Linux vendor that is getting in on the MeeGo action, however. Linpus, the company behind the custom Fedora-based operating system that shipped on the Acer Aspire One, is also planning to deliver a MeeGo version of its Linpus Lite netbook platform. Linpus says that its own MeeGo version will have extra features, like enhanced social networking support, improved power management, and interoperability with Windows on dual-boot computers.

Other Linux distributors who are planning to offer their own MeeGo versions include Mandriva and instant-on Linux vendor DeviceVM. It appears as though many of the original Moblin backers are committing to MeeGo, though there are some exceptions. Canonical, which used to have its own Ubuntu Moblin Remix, isn't on the roster and is backing its own innovative Unity environment instead.

Hardware and carriers

Intel revealed a MeeGo tablet prototype that was developed in collaboration with Quanta, a major Taiwanese OEM. The 10-inch prototype has an Atom processor and runs a variant of the MeeGo netbook user experience that was customized for the tablet form factor. Products based on the prototype are said to be coming next year. Engadget scored some hands-on time with the prototype and found it impressive.

Several hardware vendors, including Asus and Acer, have announced plans to release MeeGo netbooks. Acer hasn't given an expected launch date, but Asus says it's on track for bringing some MeeGo products to market in 2011. Asus has also committed to ship Intel's AppUp Center, a cross-platform software store for both Windows and MeeGo. The store is currently in beta.

Several European network operators have pledged support for MeeGo during Computex. Telefonica plans to use the platform across a wide range of devices, including set-top boxes and mobile phones. Telecom Italia and Orange are also on board.

If the buzz emanating from Computex is any indication, it seems like MeeGo is going to become a major force in the mobile Linux market as devices start to arrive next year. Between MeeGo, Ubuntu Unity, and Chrome OS, hardware vendors will have a very rich assortment of mobile Linux platforms to choose from for their netbooks and tablets next year.