14 DAY TRIAL // While netbooks may look like they might not have a lot of new features to offer, a certain video may actually shed some light on the still latent potential that can be tapped into by means of a certain software that Intel and Nokia are working on.
As end-users know, netbooks have been a growing market ever since the major makers of PCs got seriously involved in making them.
Initially, they had to make do with Windows XP as an OS, or variations of other platforms, until Microsoft launched Windows 7 Starter.
There are also a few of them that boast a version of Google's Android OS, plus some that come with both Android and Windows.
Those keeping track of such things will also know that Intel and Nokia pooled their resources as far back as Mobile World Congress 2010 in order to come up with a new software platform.
By merging the Intel Moblin and Nokia's Maemo, they came up with the MeeGo operating system, whose first version has actually been ready for months.
This OS is designed for not just netbooks, but also entry-level desktops, nettops, tablets and in-vehicle infotainment.
Basically, it tries to offer as much functionality and performance as possible while also making sure to have an eye-pleasing and comprehensive UI.
Now, a certain video that emerged on YouTube actually had the software paired with the KDE Plasma Mobile workspace.
This version of the software was loaded onto a Lenovo S10-3t netbook and demonstrated on a video shot at KDE Mobile Sprint, an event that took place in Berlin - KDAB's Office – November/2010.
It seemed to run quite fast in the landscape mode and somewhat less stellar on portrait mode, but it should be taken into account that this is a developer's build.
As such, it likely had debug software installed, which slowed down execution by a noticeable bit.
Regardless, this video gives a fairly good impression of what one may expect once MeeGo netbooks, tablets and other consumer electronics, actually ramp up.