ARM embraces Ubuntu for mobile gadgets

Linux has long held a position of importance of the mobile operating system market, with the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) stirring up recent interest through the launch of the Android platform. But now Ubuntu, one of the more popular and well regarded flavours of the Linux desktop market is about to make waves in the mobile space through a deal with ARM.

The mobile chipset vendor said it has struck a deal with Canonical, the commercial backer of Ubuntu, to put the Linux OS on Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and other handheld gadgets including smartphones.

Interestingly, ARM intends to port the full desktop version of Ubuntu to the ARMv7 processor architecture, including ARM Cortex-A8 and Cortex-A9 processor-based systems.

“The addition of the new operating system will enable new netbooks and hybrid computers, targeting energy-efficient ARM technology-based SoCs, to deliver a rich, always-connected, mobile computing experience, without compromising battery life,” the chip vendor said.

Lat month, mobile connectivity took centre stage with the latest release of Ubuntu – version 8.10 – affectionately known as “Intrepid Ibex”. The platform features 3G network support at its core, and allows users to move between wired, wifi and 3G networks, with support for inbuilt modems, data cards and dongles.

Last week, US chip giant Qualcomm beefed up its own answer to the mobile computing revolution, announcing a dual CPU single chip as part of its Snapdragon portfolio.

The QSD8672T chip extends the reach of the Snapdragon platform by targeting more advanced mobile computing devices, for whit it boasts optimised battery life and a full range of 3G mobile broadband and peripheral connectivity capabilities. Sampling is scheduled for the second half of 2009.