MeeGo is a brand new species of OS. The result of a cutting-edge collaboration between Nokia and Intel, MeeGo combines the talents of Maemo (of N900 fame) and Intel’s Moblin project, to offer an entirely fresh open source operating system that has the flexibility to adapt to a variety of devices. Sure, this new-blood OS will be at home on high-end handsets and media phones, but its flexibility welcomes development on products outside the realm of pocketable kit, meaning you’ll also be able to experience MeeGo on netbooks, connected TVs, in-vehicle entertainment units and beyond.
Its open source credentials ensure MeeGo will draw in legions of developers looking to create killer apps that can easily be made to work across multiple device architectures using Qt – a simple SDK that helps developers build a single app on a cross-platform framework, ensuring it can be effortlessly deployed on many different flavours of device. So should you spot an app that you like the look of on a netbook, imagine there’ll most likely be a smartly adapted version available for a MeeGo-ready handset and vice versa.
Likewise, the shape-shifting talents of this new operation system promises to usher in a fresh array of apps, the likes of which we’ve yet to experience. The emergence of MeeGo is one of the most exciting prospects for 2010, and one that we’ll be eagerly following here on Conversations over the coming year. So stick with us as we charter its gestation and witness its birth later this year.
What we say
What they say
“I think this makes a lot of sense… By moving their Linux efforts under the umbrella of the Linux Foundation, MeeGo should have a much better chance of survival, and should be a real contender against Android for future devices.”
Scott Merrill, Mobile Crunch
If you only do one thing
Use MeeGo across multiple devices hassle-free. With just one operating system across your favourite kit you’ll easily whizz from one to another with complete and cosy familiarity.
Miscellany
Two heads are always better than one, and Intel’s Moblin and Nokia’s Maemo duet is bound to be a winning one. But how successful could they be? Here’s a look at five of our favourite double acts of the past.
Batman and Robin
This crime-fighting duo has amused us with their kapows since 1949, managing to bring down The Joker, Catwoman and Penguin along the way.
Tom and Jerry
Mad-cap cartoon capers between the love-hate pair have not only made hundreds of TV programmes, but seven feature length films.
Morecambe and Wise
Probably the UK’s best-loved comedy duo, their hilarious partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe’s death in 1984. They have been described as “the most illustrious, and the best-loved, double-act that Britain has ever produced”.
Torvill and Dean
Undoubtedly UK’s most successful sporting double-act, bringing home the gold for the first time at the 1984 Winter Olympics for Dance the Bolero.
Sausage and mash
The perfect double-act. Delicious.