From the press release:

MeeGo v1.0 is available for download at MeeGo.com to the developer community. MeeGo v1.0 delivers a wealth of Internet, computing and communication features with rich graphics, multi-tasking capabilities and Google Chrome browser integration. This release delivers on MeeGo’s commitment to combine the best core architecture features of Nokia’s Maemo and Intel’s Moblinâ„¢ projects. Manufacturers and operating system vendors can use this release to create and customize netbooks or begin work on development for other devices including netbooks and entry-level desktops, smartphones, in-vehicle infotainment devices, connected TVs, media phones and more.

What is included in MeeGo 1.0?

According to their web site:

• Visually rich Netbook user experience, building on the latest open source technologies.
• Instant access to your synchronized calendar, tasks, appointments, recently used files and real-time social networking updates through the home screen.
• Aggregation of your social networking content. This allows you to see your social networking activities on one screen, easily interact with your friends, and update your status and site information.
• For a fast and rich Internet experience the MeeGo Netbook user experience integrates Google Chrome or, if you prefer a fully open source browser solution, Google Chromium is also provided. Soon we will be releasing the MeeGo Handset user experience which will use the Fennec Mozilla Browser.
• Easy to use applications for email, calendar and media player.
• Highly optimized for power and performance.
• Languages: Japanese, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Swedish, Polish, Finnish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, English, British English

New releases are planned on a six month intervals. MeeGo v1.1 will be released in October and it will include support for touch-based devices, such as handsets, tablets, and in-vehicle “Infotainment” systems.

MeeGo is an operating system to keep an eye on. It may give the new Google Chrome OS a run for its money, but it will all depend on how many users, and device manufacturers, pick up on MeeGo.

MeeGo v1.0 for Netbooks ready for developers is a post by Amy from Notebooks.com.

MeeGo, is intended to run on various platforms, such as smartphones, tablets, netbooks or in-car entertainment systems. The Linux Foundation will be the one to host the new MeeGo and dedicated applications will be available through the Nokia Ovi Store and Intel AppUp Center.

In an open letter to the community, Intel’s Director of Intel’s Open Source Technology Center, Imad Sousou, said:

Hi Everyone

I’m sure you’ve heard the news: Moblin and maemo are merging! We are taking the best pieces from these two open source projects and are creating the MeeGo software platform. Both teams have worked for a long time to support the needs of the mobile user experience – and MeeGo will make this even better. We want it to be fun, focused, flexible, technically challenging and ultimately, something that can change the world.

We all use mobile devices every day. The power and capability of handhelds has reached astounding levels – netbooks have been a runaway success – and connected TVs, tablets, in-vehicle infotainment, and media phones are fast growing new markets for devices with unheard of performance. Our goal is to develop the best software to go with those devices. The teams behind maemo and Moblin have plenty of experience and even more ideas on how to make things better – and together we will create something special.

The MeeGo website is still evolving – you’ll run into a few “coming soon” pages as we pull all the content together and get things ready for our first project release in the second quarter. But there’s already a lot to see – and a community to join! Please take a look – and come back often as we approach that first release.

We really want to hear from you. Be in on IRC, on our developer mailing list, or through bugzilla. MeeGo is an open project and it will be successful through its developer community. It’s my personal goal to make sure that we can all together be successful. And have fun.

Imad Sousou

Director of Intel’s Open Source Technology Center

(and now also co-chair of the MeeGo steering group)

Also, the folks from MeetMobility had an interview at MWC with Intel’s Scott Apeland to talk about MeeGo.  It will be interesting to see if the combined effort of Intel and Nokia can make something special for a new Linux based OS for notebooks as well as other plaforms—

Moblin merges with Maemo to make MeeGo is a post by Amy from Notebooks.com.

An analyst told The Standard that while Windows 7 Starter will likely fall into the current $15 XP price point, the push will be to get users to upgrade to Professional or Home which will add to the cost. According to the article, the cost of XP on a regular computer runs $50, quite a difference from the discounted netbook price, and we should expect similar differences with Windows 7. Microsoft hasn’t confirmed the pricing to OEMs but adding a Home or Pro installation of Windows 7 to a netbook could bump prices significantly.

While it is possible that there will be upward pressure to netbook prices when Windows 7 starts shipping Microsoft has to walk a thin line when it comes to charging for Windows 7 on netbooks and forcing price conscious users into a Starter edition. With the recent launch of a Moblin powered Dell Mini and impressive alternative operating systems like JoliCloud (in private beta) it risks losing some market share to these more consumer friendly Linux installs.

I’m well aware that consumers like to stick with what they know, and traditionally Linux has failed to pass the grandma test; as in can Grandma install a new program on her own. That said, the App directory in Jolicloud, and similar functionality in recent versions of Ubuntu, address some of these issues and could make Linux an actual alternative to non geeks especially if it means saving $50-$100 on a notebook or netbook purchase.

But, don’t think the increased cost of netbooks in the coming months can be solely attributed to the cost of Windows 7. Bigger screens, better graphics and more features will also play into the price. The Standard notes this influence as well citing the current direction of the industry which shows a move towards Ultrathin notebooks that come with more power than netbooks but still offer a small size and portability for around $500.

Will Windows 7 Mean More Expensive Netbooks? is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

My guess is pretty often. One of the biggest complaints that people have with their computers is that they take “forever” to boot up and let them do something. While each version of windows boots faster if you really want instant on access you need to have an operating system like Phoenix Technologies” HyperSpace.

Hyperspace is a Linux OS based on the Mobilin Linux kernel, a version of Linux that is gaining popularity amongst a small subset of netbook users. According to Phoenix Technologies, HyperSpace “delivers instant-on, always-connected access to the Internet and key productivity applications such as HyperSpace Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop, Hulu, McAfee, Real Networks, Yahoo Search, etc.” This instant gratification mode of computing is very attractive to both consumers and manufacturers.

Previously HyperSpace was aimed at the notebook and netbook markets since the light and fast to boot operating system was also very battery-friendly but today Phoenix Technologies announced a partnership with Intel to distribute the HyperSpace software with Intel Desktop motherboards for the Atom 230 and 330 processors. This partnership will allow nettop and other low cost devices to turn on instantly and allow for faster development of these increasingly popular devices.

Tim Barjarin a consumer computing analyst with Creative Strategies lauded the partnership saying, “By pre-integrating HyperSpace with Intel Atom processor-based nettop boards, they are enabling products that deliver end users connectivity, versatility and usability.”

It will definitely be interesting to see how this affects the low cost computer market. So many of these devices, whether they are netbooks or nettops, are judged by how quickly they can turn on and as the devices enter more of our lives we will expect these devices to turn on as fast as our iPhones do. One of the best ways for nettops to invade living rooms is to be able to instantly deliver access to the Internet and specialized applications like many of the coming Internet Enabled HDTVs will be able to do.

For a more detailed look at Hyperspace you can read Xavier’s first impression and check out the video below from jkOnTheRun and read their first look at HyperSpace.

If you’re interested in trying out HyperSpace on your Intel powered Notebook or Netbook there is a free trial of the software available for 21 days in both the Dual and Hybrid flavors to meet your needs and hardware.

Currently if you want to purchase HyperSpace for your laptop your only option is a 1 or a 3 year subscription which ranges from $40 to $160. We don’t have confirmation that this will continue for nettops built through this partnership but it is a likely option. Personally I hope they work out a non subscription model or reduce the prices since I’m not a fan of subscribing to most software, especially an operating system.

HyperSpace: Instant on Coming to Nettops is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.