NEWS
Wind River and Intel Collaborate to Advance Mobile Internet Device 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 optimized for the 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 a 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.
Today's 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. In May, Wind River and Intel announced a similar collaboration targeting the automotive industry.
"Mobile Internet Devices have the potential to be the next high growth segment in the mobile space", said Ken Klein, CEO of Wind River. "Wind River is aiming to deliver on this potential by leveraging our leadership in driving open source standards and our expertise in developing commercial-grade platforms. Wind River's efforts, in combination with the open source Moblin software platform optimized for MIDs, will help accelerate the pervasiveness of the category."
Mobile Internet Devices are making it possible for consumers to carry 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 customizability and low cost characteristics. According to research firm Strategy Analytics, sales of Mobile Internet Devices are expected to exceed $17 billion worldwide annually by 2014. ABI Research expects more than 90 million Mobile Internet Devices will ship worldwide by 2012.
"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."
As the MID segment grows, system manufacturers will require full-featured, flexible platforms that will enable innovative and tightly coupled applications across diverse consumer and vertical segments. By offering a Moblin-based open source platform, Wind River is providing a flexible, open source solution with a technology roadmap, commercial support and optimization for the desired hardware platform.
Alignment With High-Growth Opportunities
Today's news follows a recent Wind River reorganization to focus on new technology and market opportunities. In February, Wind River aligned its organization with investments in high-growth markets, such as mobile handsets, mobile Internet devices, automotive infotainment and network equipment. Since then, Wind River's Linux division has announced key milestones in these high-growth segments, including:
- Mobile Handsets: In February, Wind River partnered with NEC Electronics, STMicroelectronics, and Texas Instruments to demonstrate the Open Handset Alliance's Android platform.
- Automotive Infotainment: In May, Wind River announced a commercial Linux platform and collaboration with Intel to develop an open source platform for the in-vehicle infotainment market based on Moblin.
- Network Equipment: In May, OpenSAF Foundation announced Wind River was the newest member of the open source consortia, joining founding members Emerson Network Power, Ericsson, HP, Nokia Siemens Networks and Sun Microsystems.
Wind River already plays a leading role in other industry consortia aimed at developing open, Linux-based software platforms across adjacent industries, including: Eclipse, SCOPE-Alliance, The Linux Foundation, LiMo Foundation and the Open Handset Alliance.
For further information about Wind River's open source and commercial Linux platforms, visit www.windriver.com/announces/mid/ and opensource.windriver.com.
About Wind River
Wind River is the global leader in Device Software Optimization (DSO). Wind River enables companies to develop, run and manage device software faster, better, at lower cost and more reliably. Wind River platforms are pre-integrated, fully standardized, enterprise-wide development solutions. They reduce effort, cost and risk and optimize quality and reliability at all phases of the device software development process, from concept to deployed product.
Founded in 1981, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, California, with operations worldwide. To learn more, visit Wind River at www.windriver.com.
The Wind River logo is a trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc., and Wind River is a registered trademark of Wind River Systems. Other marks used herein are the property of the respective owners.
Intel and Intel Atom are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.
Contact Information
Jessica Miller
Global Corporate Communications