The MeeGo project has released the first batch of source code for the MeeGo Handset experience. MeeGo is basically a set of Linux tools that are optimized to make Linux work well on mobile devices such as netbooks and smartphones. The first version of MeeGo for netbooks was released a few months ago, and now its time for smartphone developers to get in on the action.
MeeGo 1.1 for smartphones won’t officially be available until October. Today’s release is targeted at developers. But even if you’re not planning on building a Linux-based operating system for phones, today’s release means that you can finally get an idea of what a handset running MeeGo might look like.
The release includes MeeGo APIs and reference apps and user interface elements including a Home Screen, Lock Screen, app launcher, virtual keyboard, status bar, phone dialer, SMS app, web browser, contact manager, and photo viewer.
MeeGo is optimized for devices with Intel Atom Moorestown-based chips, as well as the ARM-based Nokia N900 phone/mobile internet device.
You can check out a video overview of the initial build of MeeGo Handset after the break. And you can see more about how the user interface will work at Meego’s UI design guidelines page.
