The Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai seems to be all about the MIDs or Mobile Internet Devices powered by Intel’s Atom processor. Besides showcasing the prototypes, IDF also has other names like Adobe and Real Networks have stepped up to the plate to announce their tie-ins with MIDs.

Adobe Systems and RealNetworks, for instance, are supposedly developing versions of AIR and RealPlayer, respectively for mobile Linux.  Like the ASUS EeePC, MIDs running Linux will be available, with Intel working closely with Linux developers Canonical and Asianux to port a version of Linux for MIDs. Intel is also backing an effort to create a Mozilla Net browser compatible with touch-based interfaces.

Though Intel is encouraging MIDs Linux development, they’re not leaving Microsoft out of the loop.

IDG reported: “The platform is going to be enabled for both Windows XP and Windows Vista,” said Gary Willihnganz, director of marketing at Intel’s Ultra Mobility Group.

Four prototype MIDs have been shown off in Tokyo at a press conference last Wednesday, though the spec sheets weren’t forthcoming or as IDG said, ‘precise details about the computers were lacking’.Among the machines was a Centrino Atom version of Fujitsu’s Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) as well as an Atom-based Panasonic Toughbook tablet PC.

The question is, will this change Microsoft’s plans to stop selling XP licenses on June 30 since that’s when MIDs are expected to hit the market? Windows Mobile might even be ported to the platform, with Len Kawell, former CEO of Pepper Computer appointed to that mission. He has experience with MIDs as Pepper developed a Linux version for those devices.

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Entry was posted on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 4:55 am under Intel.

Read more entries by Erna Mahyuni.
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