Motorola said to be targeting 2Q08 for next-generation Linux-based Ming handsets, Dec 21, 2007

Motorola plans to launch its next-generation Linux-based "Ming" handsets in the second quarter of 2008, with the hand input intelligence handsets to be available in both high-end and entry-level versions, according to market sources.

OpenMoko, a Linux-based open source handset platform developer, is pushing the development of Linux-based smartphone with its open source handset, the Neo 1973, which may be available to the mass-market in the second half of 2008, according to company sources.

Asustek Computer will begin shipping its ultra low-cost notebook, the Eee PC, simultaneously to clients in the US, Europe, China as well as Taiwan, in mid-September, with the first-round shipments targeting 20,000 units, according to sources at the company.

A number of Taiwan-based PC makers are evaluating the possibility to venture into production of Linux-based PCs after Dell launched three Linux-based consumer PCs in the US this month, according to sources at Taiwan PC makers.

VIA Technologies today announced the extension of its open source support with the release of driver source code for specific VIA hardware.

Motorola is looking to introduce eight to ten smartphones, accounting for about 25-30% of the vendor’s total handset models to be launched worldwide this year, according to Motorola Taiwan.

Novell became a major Linux promoter worldwide with the acquisition of the Ximian and SuSE Linux operating systems in the second half of 2003. Alan F. Nugent, CTO of Novell, explained that the open-source operating systems have not only seen broadening acceptance in server applications, but also in a wide range of other IT applications.

China-based Red Flag Software and Miracle Linux of Japan officially launched their beta version of Asianux 1.0 at Oracle OpenWorld, a technology seminar held in Shanghai from July 20-22. Asianux is a standardized Linux operating environment developed specially for enterprises in Asia. Oracle, a supporter of Asianux, has decided to put the Linux-based operating system on its "unbreakable" support program.

Although Linux has become the second largest operating system (OS) in the global server market, penetration rates in the client PC market remain low, according to Avneesh Saxena, IDC (International Data Corporation) Asia/Pacific director of computing systems.

Taiwan’s notebook makers, including Asustek Computer and Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), have started marketing low-cost Linux-based notebooks in the US market, according to sources at the Taiwanese makers.

Taiwanese makers will also promote their value notebooks in China, where the Chinese government is encouraging the adoption of Linux-based PCs, said the sources.

There still is room for Taiwanese makers to promote sales of Linux-based notebooks in the US market due to Linux’s competitive pricing and low-cost operating system (OS) and application software, the sources said. The office-use application software supporting Linux is just around 10% of Microsoft’s Office, they noted.