I’ve only just downloaded the latest Moblin image, so I’m simply passing the news and not passing judgment yet. ;) Alpha 2 of Moblin v2 for netbooks just became available with a number of fixes and new features since I last looked at it on my MSI Wind. Here’s a summary list:
- Updated UI libraries (Clutter, etc.)
- Updated Graphics subsystem with KMS early integration.
- Updated Moblin system services
- Support for the MSI Wind
- Updated ConnMan with many improvements and bug fixes
- Updated and enhanced boot process, inter-process, and package interactions.
- Many updates to the OS libraries
- updated XFCE (v4.6)
- Updated to Kernel 2.6.29-rc7.
- Gnome 2.26 RC release.
- Updated Moblin Image Creator (MIC2).
- Development for software and applications for Moblin.
Two known issues deal with graphics: Intel’s GMA 500 isn’t yet supported and 3D performance is still under heavy development, so don’t expect high performance in this area. It took roughly two months to get from Alpha 1 to Alpha 2 and at last check, the Moblin Project expected a beta release in April of this year with releases for MIDs in 2010. While I have no way of knowing if that timeline is still intact, my gut says that an April beta is wishful thinking.
Of course, that all depends on what issues and challenges arise from alpha testers on this version, so I’d better get testing! I’m beginning to wonder if Moblin will arrive before or after Microsoft’s Windows 7 and more importantly, do they need to beat Microsoft out the door or does it not matter?
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