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Could Intel's new Moblin 2.1 OS make a dent against Windows in the mobile and desktop markets?

At this week's Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, the chipmaker debuted a beta version of its Moblin 2.1 open-source operating system targeted to run on a variety of devices, including smartphones, Netbooks, nettops, Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), and in-car systems.

Moblin 2.1 will compete with other open-source operating systems like Google's Android and bump up against Microsoft in the burgeoning nettop arena.

Originally developed for Netbooks, Moblin 2.1 (short for mobile Linux) will come in three flavors--one for handhelds, another for Netbooks, and a third for nettops.

In the market for handheld gadgets such as smartphones and MIDs, Moblin 2.1 will run on Atom chip-based devices. The beta demoed by Intel at IDF showed off capabilities for touch-screen and gesture input. The new interface will also let users switch among different open applications and will provide shortcuts to social-networking apps.

The Moblin 2.1 Web browser will also support Flash and Microsoft's Silverlight 3 technology to run interactive Web-based apps.

Sharp PC-Z1

(Credit: Sharp)

Lest you think that Netbooks are dead, Sharp is out with the PC-Z1, released under the "NetWalker" brand in Japan.

Running an Ubuntu Linux derivative, several sites have compared the PC-Z1 to the fabled Sharp Zaurus.

Ubuntu is a logical choice for Netbooks and other low-cost consumer devices. Besides being highly customizable, the open-source aspect really helps. Companies can tweak the operating system to meet their needs without having to be burdened with licensing fees. But having owned a 7" Asus Eee PC for more than a year, I can safely opine that Netbooks are not all they are cracked up to be. Between the challenging keyboard and questionable battery life, their utility varies between models and user styles.

Gizmodo doesn't think that this is a Netbook, but at this point, the whole category is so confusing, I can't figure what you're supposed to call it. (An extra batch of pictures of the PC-Z1 is available at Akihabara News.)

Odds are, you are better off with a smartphone, unless you really love this form factor or have very tiny hands for the very tiny keyboard. I find it hard to imagine people lugging these around as their main machine. Nonetheless, Sharp has raised the bar with better boot time and a claimed a 10-hour battery life. According to its release Thursday:

The PC-Z1 features a quick-launch function (approx. 3 seconds) similar to mobile phones, enabling users to conveniently check e-mail while on the road. Also, a long battery running time (approximately 10 hours) allows users to fully enjoy net services, such as videos or blogs.

The high-resolution, 5-inch touch-screen LCD enables intuitive touch operation while the full keyboard provides for comfortable text input. Additionally, in business settings, users can create documents, spreadsheets, presentation materials, etc., and edit them stress-free.

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Nokia wants you to chat up a storm with its new N900.

(Credit: Nokia)

With its new N900 handset, Nokia is playing up the Linux angle.

Part cell phone, part computer, the N900 takes advantage of Nokia's Linux-based Maemo operating system to offer multitasking, Web browsing, a touch screen, and slide-out keyboard.

Running the open-source Maemo 5 software, it can provide more of a PC-like experience on a small device, according to Nokia. The Maemo OS lets people juggle several applications at the same time.

"The Nokia N900 shows where we are going with Maemo, and we'll continue to work with the community to push the software forward," Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia's executive vice president for markets, said in a statement. "What we have with Maemo is something that is fusing the power of the computer, the Internet and the mobile phone."

Nokia's Maemo OS is separate from the company's Symbian OS for smartphones, though the company has said it wants to make it easier for developers to write applications for both.

(Credit: Nokia)

The specs on the N900, announced Thursday, include an ARM Cortex-A8 processor, 1GB of application memory, 32GB of storage (expandable to 48GB with a MicroSD card), and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Although Nokia dubs the device a tablet, it measures 4.4 inches by 2.4 inches and features a 3.5-inch widescreen display.

Equipped with a Mozilla browser and Adobe Flash 9.4 support, the device provides 10/2 High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for mobile broadband speed, along with wireless LAN connectivity.

The handset also sports a 5-megapixel camera with a Carl Zeiss lens.

Nokia will offer the N900 in selected markets starting in October for 500 euros (around $712). The device will be on display at Nokia World in Germany next week.

The N900 is the next generation follow-on from Nokia's N800 and N810, which were released in 2007. The N800 sells for around $300, while the N810 goes for about $400.

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We always want what we can't have, and when Dell canned its Inspiron Mini 9, I beat myself up for not buying one earlier.

But lo and behold, Dell has brought back its itty-bitty Netbook for $199 until July 27. The price gives you bare necessities: the Ubuntu Linux OS, a 4G SSD, a Webcam, and other basic features.

There's also a $269 option that upgrades the Netbook to Windows XP and an 8GB SSD.

"That's it, this is your last chance. Really...I'm leaving this time. Or am I?"

(Credit: Dell)

The Mini 9 had a few words to say regarding her retirement and limited-time return:

A few months ago Anne C. was kind enough to publish a post about my retirement. It was a bittersweet moment for me - being the "eldest" of the Dell Inspiron Mini portfolio, but my siblings the Mini 10 and the Mini 10v have been introduced, and frankly are capable of offering anything I can, plus more.

Imagine my surprise when I got the call to return for a limited engagement. I checked my 401(k) and saw that it really wasn't at the point I needed it to be to support a comfortable retirement, so I have agreed to return.

I am back, for a limited time, and for now can be found as part of a few key limited time promotional deals on dell.com. Both Ubuntu (starting at $199) and XP versions are available, as are a few color options (Obsidian Black and Alpine White are standard, Jade Green and Promise Pink add $40).

Not to sound immodest, but I do want to acknowledge and thank my fan club members who expanded my pre-retirement horizons with various mods and hacks. I hope to renew our acquaintance, even if for a short time and continue our adventures. I do want to assure that this will be my last appearance - I disdain those "final sales" campaigns that seem to go on perpetually. Next time I retire, it will be for good.

Though Dell didn't have much to say about Google's Chrome OS announcement last week, the PC maker is apparently looking closely at it.

Dell says it has options for Linux OSes for Netbooks.

(Credit: Dell)

But for Dell--which was not listed as one of the PC makers working with Google on Chrome OS--it is just one of a number of Linux-based operating systems it is evaluating.

"As with most new technology, Dell plans to evaluate the Chrome OS and other alternative operating environments, like we've done in the past," a Doug Anson, a technology strategist for Dell, wrote Wednesday in Dell's Direct2Dell blog. He added that Dell has a "great relationship with Google."

But from that post, it appears Dell is far more interested in a different distribution of Linux, called Moblin. Doug A. writes:

Moblin is the next evolutionary step of the traditional Linux environment where focus on smaller devices and small screens is a requirement. It takes a different approach to its user experience from either Dell's current offering or Ubuntu Netbook Remix by further simplifying the self-directedness of the desktop - no user guide should be needed to learn how to use Moblin. Additionally, Moblin replaces some of the traditional Linux applications, such as media players, browsers, etc..., with equivalent versions that have been specifically optimized to align with this new design behavior/look and feel of Moblin.

Basically, Chrome falls in line with what Dell has been working on. It sounds like Dell believes it will be a good option for Dell Netbooks. But until Chrome is ready to ship on a product, Dell users are going to get Moblin Linux or Dell's own flavor of Ubuntu, which it already offers.

The geeky Das Keyboard is reaching out to Mac and Linux enthusiasts with a new set of replacement keycaps featuring Mac and Linux symbols.

(Credit: Metadot)

The set comes with all the keys pictured (two Mac command keys, two Mac alt/option keys, and two Linux keys featuring Tux the penguin). The keys go for $14.95 and will work only with the Das Keyboard Ultimate, which sports 100 percent blank keys, and the Das Keyboard Professional, which comes with traditional key markings.

Also part of the replacement set--a keycap puller that can be used to easily remove the old keys (Windows, if you happen to have the Professional device).

Das Keyboards were designed by programmer Daniel Guermeur, who's also the founder of open-source software company Metadot. They've gotten attention for the blank keys on some models (which are supposed to make you a better typist), and for their classic, "clicky" IBM model M-style gold-plated mechanical key switches, which give each keystroke a distinct click. They also have "N-key rollover," which lets users press up to 12 keys simultaneously (nice for gamers).

The keyboards are compatible with Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X and do not require the installation of software or drivers.

You read right: This refurbished Eee PC Netbook is just $129.95 plus shipping.

(Credit: Asus)

Holy dirt-cheap Netbooks, Batman! Geeks.com has a refurbished Asus Eee PC 900 for $129.95. (Make sure to apply coupon code 900M at checkout to get that price.) Shipping will run you about $10.

As you might expect, this is not exactly a powerhouse PC. The 900 comes with a 900MHz Celeron processor, 512MB of RAM, and a 4GB solid-state drive (SSD).

Translation: forget Windows. This baby runs Linux, which is absolutely fine for stuff like e-mail, Web, and other basics--but no doubt a deal breaker for some users.

The limited storage poses some problems as well, though you can always expand it by popping in an inexpensive SD card or USB drive. This is a machine best suited to those who work primarily on the Web.

And for that it's aces. I assumed that such a heavily discounted system would have a supertiny screen, but the 900 actually has an 8.9-inch LCD. And Asus Netbooks typically have comfy keyboards, so you should have no trouble getting some work done.

Because it's a refurb, the warranty expires after 90 days. I have no problem with that; the thing barely has any moving parts anyway.

So, if you're looking for a cloud-friendly Netbook at an impulse-buy price, this is the best deal I've seen. I'd say the sellout risk is high, so grab one while you can.

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