Moblin Operating System For Netbooks

Moblin Operating System is the new OS developed by Intel for netbooks with Atom  processors. It is a Linux based open source operating system as indicated in its name – Moblin – Mobile Linux. There have been some Linux based OSs  designed for mobile computers previously. However, they did not become very popular. Moreover, due to the ease of use and familiarity of the Windows operating systems, Microsoft has always held the monopoly in the field of OSs. Then came in Google’s Android, which is also based on Linux. It was designed for smartphones, but made its way into netbooks too. With its open source feature, it did shake the foundation of the Microsoft OSs. Now we need to see how Moblin fares.

For starters, Moblin v2.0 is expected to give a completely new user experience. It supports a media player, an integrated Mozilla-derived web browser and loads of clever tools to make both work and play, enjoyable. When you start your netbook loaded with Moblin v2.0, you get a screen called the My-Zone. This screen gives you instant access to your calender, tasks and appointments. You can as well get quick access to your favourite applications, recently used files and updates from near and dear ones. There is a tool-bar called the Moblin Tool-bar which hides on the top portion of the screen, until you need it. This tool-bar has a number of tools that give you single click access to many features. It can be used for the following tasks:-
• To update your status in social networks
• Access emails or instant message your friends
• Access the web browser, which stores your recently visited and most used websites, while also making it easy for you to search sites you want to visit.
• The Moblin Media player can be accessed from the toolbar too. Storing your music, movies and photographs is made easy. Searching for any particular file is like a snap of the finger with the ‘automagic’ search bar.

Moblin OS even lets you access files from other sources, like your PC, digital music player or game-station. This operating system is compatible with any netbook featuring the Intel Atom processor. It also boasts of providing a longer battery life and faster start-up times for netbooks.

Intel had started working on Moblin in 2007. It came out with a Moblin alpha version earlier this year. Then in April 2009, Intel handed over the reigns of the Moblin platform to the San Francisco based Linux Foundation.
The other key areas that Moblin focuses on are power saving technologies, connection management, security, graphics subsystem optimisation, software and hardware optimised multimedia codecs, Intel Atom processor tuning, enhancing and developing applications based on the netbook and more. Installing the new OS on netbooks is easy too. One just has to download the image file and load it into the netbook through the USB port. Many curious techno-freaks have tried this out and have a good opinion about the OS.

The Microsoft Windows XP and Vista OSs were actually developed for desktop PCs. They did offer compatibility with the portable PCs too. However, Moblin OS has been specifically designed for netbooks. Hence we can expect it to be a good performer. However, there will defintiely be some tough competition out there with the Android and the new LiMo all set, standing on their marks, as well.