Tag Archives: Intel
Review: Moblin Netbook OS
Posted on 29. Dec, 2009 by Daniel Cawrey. 
1 Comments
We’ll be taking a look in a series of features the different operating systems that are going to be competing with Chrome OS in an effort to evaluate how Google stacks up against the competition.
Moblin is a netbook-centric operating system that is based on the Linux open source kernel. It is spearheaded by Intel in a drive to have it used on hardware that features its Atom processors, which are for netbooks and other devices that they are calling Mobile Internet Devices (MID). It appears that the idea is to have Moblin used not only in netbooks but also devices used as entertainment hubs embedded in vehicles or other equipment that is networked.
Because of the backing of corporate interests that along with Intel also includes Novell, Moblin is certainly a conduit to compete with the already prevalent ARM processors, which are used in almost every mobile device and are expected to be used by the manufacturers that end up making Chrome OS netbooks.
I downloaded a copy of Moblin, which is still in beta from the official web site to check out its interface and how it stacks up against Chrome OS.
Just like the versions of Chrome OS that are floating around, you can image Moblin onto a USB drive and run it on your PC. When I booted Moblin, it brought up a menu asking me if I want to start the OS. While it was quick at 13 seconds, it wasn’t as fast as Chrome OS. I also noticed a popping sound coming from my speakers that I thought was the OS loading sound drivers, but it continued to happen when I used sound while in Moblin.
There is no login required for Moblin, and when it loads into its home screen called myzone. I had to admit that it looked a little childish like this was only something for kids to use. Navigation is controlled by a bar at the top of the screen that disappears depending on cursor position outside of the homepage screen. The interface doesn’t use a windowing system, you can come and go from the navigation bar for things that you can do.
Every time I started up Moblin, I had to manually connect to my wireless network. I know it’s in beta, but that’s not a positive for a netbook operating system.
Unlike Chrome OS the browser is not the main component here, the navigation bar is. Configuration options such as power settings are in the upper left hand corner like Chromium. One thing that was annoying was that clock was not in view unless I activated the navigation bar by moving the cursor to the top. At this point I realized that this nav bar appearing and disappearing would be a problem, especially while using the internet. Below you can see what I’m referring to. If you are browsing the internet and want to move the cursor to the browser toolbar, the navigation bar incidentally will come up from time to time:
The graphical interface in Moblin seems active, jumpy and energetic. Actually, it seemed overly energetic to me – when I was toggling between tasks simply too much was going on in terms of animations. Actions seem to happen a little too fast, almost as if Moblin is in a hurry. It seems strange to say this, but try it and I think you’ll get the same sense.
It’s pretty clear that Moblin is not focusing much on cloud computing. There is an extensive media and application component to the OS. There are apps that are already installed including a a terminal program and a few games. There is an application installer program which allows you to download and run programs. I was able to download and install Firefox for Moblin, and there were a nice selection of open source apps such as GIMP for image editing and Songbird for organizing and playing music. You are also able to save files.
There are interesting social networking components in Moblin as well. One of the features of the navigation bar is a status icon where you can easily update your goings-on. Another interesting concept that has been included here is called Empathy, which can connect to your AIM and Google Talk accounts along with a feature that picks up and lists other Moblin users around you along with their information and current status. Location social networking? I think I like that idea.
Pros:
- More polished feel than Chrome OS. Of course, this is in a later stage of development.
- Good social networking features.
- I like the application component of the OS – easy to install apps and it looks like there is going to be a good variety of options from developers
Cons:
- My speakers kept popping when playing sounds. This was just annoying.
- Wifi does not connect automatically. Grrr.
- GUI animations are really jumpy. Also the navigation bar hindering internet navigation. And the clock being hidden.
