Intel rejects reports it is "backing off" MeeGo

Intel has responded to reports that it was planning to "back off" MeeGo saying that it remains committed to the open source operating system. The reports suggested that Intel was planning to temporarily discontinue MeeGo development due to a "lack of enthusiasm for the platform from handset and tablet PC vendors". MeeGo was created in February 2010 when Intel and Nokia pooled their Moblin and Maemo development efforts under the aegis of the Linux Foundation.

Intel was expected to focus on using Android or Windows Phone in 2012 according to the Digitimes report. Intel told US media: "We remain committed to MeeGo and open source, and will continue to work with the community to help develop and meet the needs of customers and end users."

Intel is currently the only major company backing MeeGo – Nokia, Intel's original development partner, is committed to delivering only one MeeGo-running smartphone, the N9, in non-US/UK markets, and will then switch completely over to Windows Phone 7. There have been some appearances of low cost netbooks running MeeGo, but usually as one of a range of operating systems available. Intel has previously said it is looking for MeeGo adoption in the automotive IVI and other embedded markets as an alternative to targeting the OS at consumer devices.

(djwm)