Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
ABSTRACT
Effectiveness of Linux as an operating system centered
around
optimally
utilizing
computing
device,
owing
flexible
open-source
the
to
resources
features
kernel,
of
like
security,
a
mobile
modular,
stability,
scalability, availability of thousands of free software,
power-saving
capabilities,
very
low
total
cost
of
ownership.
Shail Jayesh Deliwala
Student of Second Year B.C.A.
H.L. Institute of Computer Applications
E-mail : shail.deliwala@hotmail.com
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
INTRODUCTION
Linux is basically a central set of programs that run on
a
low
level,
referred
to
as
the
kernel.1
However,
GNU/Linux, as it is popularly referred to, is a wholesome
operating system that comprises the kernel, as well as
hundreds of other programs and applications that ensure
out-of-the-box
support
for
various
functionalities
and
tasks on a computer where Linux is installed.
Mobile
computing
Essentially,
means
mobile
computing
computing
while
means
on
the
the
move.
ability
to
perform computing tasks without it being necessary to
remain
stationary.
The
devices
that
enable
such
computing-on-the-move are known as mobile computers, such
as
laptops,
palmtops,
Personal
Digital
Assistants,
netbooks, MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices)2 etc.
IMPORTANCE OF MOBILE COMPUTING
Over
the
past
few
years,
mobile
computing
has
been
gaining tremendous momentum, the magnitude of which can
be gauged by the following:
a. Record-breaking
increase
in
Apple’s
stock
prices,
upon rumored release of a tablet-PC by Apple.3
b. Launch
of
Operating
software,
System,
such
that
is
as
the
Google
specifically
Chrome
targeted
towards mobile computers.4
c. Government
initiatives
to
make
low-cost
mobile
computers available, especially to students.5
1
Beginning Ubuntu Linux – From Novice To Professional ed. 2006, p-4
http://www.intel.com/products/mid/
3 http://www.dailytech.com/Rumored+Tablet+Sends+Apple+Shares+Upward/article17230.htm
4 http://www.dailytech.com/Built+Around+the+Browser+Googles+Chrome+OS+Launche
s+Reinvents+the+Operating+System/article16883.htm
2
2
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
d. Separate
and
availability
mobile
categorized
of,
computers;
series,
Intel’s
research
hardware
that
such
Intel’s
as
Pineview
is
on,
and
designed
Atom
platform
for
processor
for
mobile
computers, etc.6
e. Strategic
partnerships
between
technology
giants
like Intel and Nokia.7
Recently, the use of flexible, open-source software such
as
Linux-based
software,
operating
open-source
considerable
momentum
systems,
hardware
in
the
Java-based
design
etc.
mobile
free
has
gained
computing
arena,
especially since the introduction of Asus’s first EeePC
that
would
run
an
Splashgate
Operating
access
music,
to
embedded
System.
internet
version
It
etc.
of
provides
and
is
Linux-based
a
pre-boot
several
times
faster than any other Windows operating system.8
There have been several innovations and developments in
the mobile computing segment, and parallel developments
in the hundreds of Linux-based operating systems. Today,
Linux coupled with a mobile computing device, creates a
powerful,
intelligent
and
feature-rich
instrument
that
stands very steadfast in comparison to its stationary
siblings.
FEATURES OF LINUX
5
http://www.dailytech.com/Every+Elementary+Student+in+Uruguay+Now+Has+an+OLP
C+Laptop/article16542.htm
6 http://www.dailytech.com/Intel+Officially+Announces+Pineview+Atom+Chips+Pin
e+Trail+Netbook+Platform/article17056.htm
7 http://www.dailytech.com/Intel+and+Nokia+to+Form+Strategic+Partnership/arti
cle15499.htm
8 http://apcmag.com/asus_laptops_get_instanton_linux.htm
3
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
Following points highlight the importance and potential
of
Linux
as
a
powerful
operating
system
for
mobile
computers:
1. Modern, Modular Kernel Design- The Linux kernel can
be
easily
designed
and
modified
to
fit
any
requirement. Hence, the utilities of a Linux kernel
can range from the smallest digital wristwatch9 to a
large
supercomputer
performing
billions
of
calculations every second.
2. Open
Source-
Freedom
of
modification
is
inherent
with any open source software or hardware. Similarly
with Linux, any user or developer can tap into the
ocean of resources and source codes available freely
for
modification,
reference
and
improvement.
This
enables small users as well as large companies to
create
task-oriented,
superfast,
efficient
and
scalable versions of Linux. Since the Linux kernel
source
code
is
freely
available,
companies
like
Nokia, Asus, Google etc. have come up with specific
flavours
of
Linux
that
are
meant
for
the
mobile
computing platforms.
Any mobile computer has a specific set of tasks that
it
needs
telephony,
to
perform,
such
as
web-browsing,
picture/video-shooting/viewing,
gaming
etc. What Linux allows is that its kernel can be
built only aiming at the tasks it is required to
perform, and any unnecessary code or modules can be
eliminated
to
decrease
overall
resource-usage
and
power-consumption.
9
http://www.trl.ibm.com/projects/ngm/wp10_e.htm
4
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
Subsequently, in November 2007, Google came up with
Android OS10 that was based on the Linux kernel.
Following up the success of the ambitious Android
project, Nokia unveiled in August 200911, its new
N900 smartphone, which would run the Maemo Operation
System built entirely on Linux kernel. This was an
important event in the mobile computing and mobile
telephony world, because Nokia had broken away from
its age-old Symbian OS and moved to an entirely new
and fresh OS.
3. Lower
Total
Cost
of
Ownership-
Requirement
for
smaller and faster hardware devices, translates into
higher
cost
of
the
final
device.
Adopting
open-
source options like Linux enables mobile-computing
device
makers
stunningly
to
make
reasonable
gadgets
available
retail
price
at
a
without
compromising on functionality and utilities.
Apart from not being open-source, the higher cost of
ownership and license is also one of the reasons why
Microsoft’s Mobile OS has lost a third of its market
share,
and
Symbian’s
market
share
has
gone
from
49.7% to 44.6%, over the past two years12.
Also, due to this important feature, Linux sales
have been increasing considerably since as early as
September 2004.13 Even today, Linux continues to hold
10
www.android.com/about
http://www.dailytech.com/Nokia+Officially+Unveils+Maemopowered+N900/articl
e16101.htm
12 http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10397897-94.html
13 http://news.cnet.com/Microsoft-Linux-may-mean-price-cuts,-fewersales/2100-7344_3-5347325.html
11
5
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
promise
of
acquiring
more
and
more
market
share
through adoption by ARM and other companies.14
4. Security
and
differently
Stability-
from
any
Linux
other
is
built
operating
entirely
system.
The
kernel-design and the access-options available with
Linux provide strong immunity and security against
viruses and malware.
Moreover, mobile computing devices are meant largely
for web-browsing, wireless data transfer, telephony,
text-messaging etc. which are all potential entrypoints for malware and unauthorized access. Due to
its open source nature, Linux allows itself to be
built in a way that immunizes it against attacks.
Any loopholes or bugs can be fixed immediately due
to
the
efforts
of
a
dynamic
community
that
is
dedicated to Linux development.15
Subsequently,
Palm,
a
company
smartphones,
has
decided
platform
its
Palm
for
technology
analyst
to
Treo
from
that
move
phones.
Freeform
manufactures
to
the
Dale
Dynamics
Linux
Vile,
a
Company
also pointed to an increasing acceptance of Linux by
mobile
operators
like
source
technologies
Vodafone
as
a
key
that
focus
listed
for
openfuture
development.16
5. Power-Saving Features and Capabilities- Due to its
flexible and modular design, the Linux kernel and
the several low-level system software that work on
14
http://linux.slashdot.org/story/09/12/12/1627205/ARM-Powered-Laptops-ToIncrease-Linux-Market-Share
15 Beginning Ubuntu Linux – From Novice To Professional Ed. 2006 p-7
16 http://news.cnet.com/Palm-touts-stability-of-Linux-based-Treos/21001041_3-6175171.html
6
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
the mobile computer, can be customized to use only
required
amount
of
resources.
Several
power-
consumption modes can be created as per the task
being
performed
at
a
particular
instance,
and
resources can be turned off when not required.
Lesswatts.org
is
a
community
that
promotes
and
spreads awareness regarding Linux as a power-saving
operating system.17 The power-saving capabilities of
Linux
on
a
typical
mobile
computing
device
are
illustrated hereby.
17
http://www.lesswatts.org/results/mobile/index.php
7
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
Furthermore, a real-world test conducted by Orestad
Linux Consultants proves that Ubuntu Linux consumes
around 15% less power as compared to the parallel
computer running Windows 7.18
Considering the grave importance being laid on Green
Computing and on lowering the emission-footprint of
any
electronic
device,
Intel
has
encouraged
the
creation of PowerTOP tool for Linux, which helps in
huge CPU power savings.19 Tools like PowerTOP can be
embedded along with a Linux operating system, onto a
mobile computer in order to create a power-saving
device that requires fewer recharges, resulting in
longer battery life and less amount of heat buildup.
6. Scalability-
This
is
one
of
the
most
compelling
features of Linux. Speed is a key factor in deciding
the success of
devices
fall
any mobile computing device.
short
on
hardware
capabilities
Some
and,
hence, proprietary operating systems like Windows,
18
http://blog.o-lab.se/2009/09/ubuntu-9-04-vs-windows-7-energy-consumptiontest/
19 http://www.lesswatts.org/projects/powertop/
8
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
Symbian etc. do not run fast enough, or slow down
after a few months of use.20
Linux
is
not
held
configurations.
In
version
of
mobile
computer
fact,
Linux
requirements.
back
can
be
which
This
a
is
by
humble
graphically
comfortably
meets
because
even
hardware
attractive
run
the
Linux
on
any
minimum
scales
well
across several CPUs and GPUs, as well as over one or
more resources that are available to it. Due to its
flexible nature, it can be redesigned to identify
and require limited resources for its job.
Intel has released a Linux-flavour known as Moblin,
which is aimed at Intel’s Atom processor series, and
also
provides
environment
APIs
for
and
mobile
a
core
computers
development
like
Mobile
Internet Devices (MIDs), netbooks etc.21
7. Thousands of Free Software Available- Linux comes
installed with many necessary utilities and software
that
enable
tasks.
out-of-the-box
E.g.
support
OpenOffice.org,
GIMP
for
several
(GNU
Image
Manipulation Toolkit), Mozilla Firefox Web Browser
etc.
Again,
a
customized
OEM
(Original
Equipment
Manufacturer) version of any Linux distribution can
be created, in which certain features and programs
can be embedded with the core OS installation. This
is
very
makers,
convenient
as
they
for
can
mobile
embed
computing
several
device-
web-tools,
wireless data transfer tools, photography-tools etc.
onto the operating system of the mobile device.
20
21
Beginning Ubuntu Linux –From Novice To Professional Ed. 2006 p-19
http://moblin.org/about-moblin
9
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
For other requirements, thousands of free software
as well as source codes are available freely online.
Registration is usually not required. Patches and
security updates are also available freely through
applications
like
Synaptic
Packet
Manager,
which
make sure the system remains updated.
8. User-friendliness- In its earliest days, Linux used
to
be
formidable
and
computer-programmers,
limited
in
scientists
popularity,
and
to
researchers.
That was not the actual motive behind designing it.
So, over the years, it was improved and beautified
by thousands of programmers and engineers, who made
Linux what it is today.
Despite
the
interface
attractiveness
that
distributions,
is
the
of
sported
amount
of
the
rich
by
graphical
modern
load
on
Linux
graphics-
hardware and CPU is comparatively much lower than
equivalent Windows or Mac-based operating systems.
Google’s Android project and Nokia’s Maemo operating
system,
both
tumultuous
based
applause
on
from
Linux,
the
have
computing
met
with
community.
Following is a screenshot of Nokia’s Maemo OS.
10
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
Another screenshot of Linux on a portable platform:
Due to all these benefits of Linux as a mobile computing
operating system, the trends in the notebook industry as
well as mobile
notable
computing industry have certainly seen
change.
international
electronics
Gartner,
statistics
and
a
related
gadgets,
has
world
to
noted
a
authority
on
market
trends
in
19.4%
growth
in
shipment of Linux-based operating systems for smartphones
from the year 2007 to 2008.
11
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA
Linux – A powerful operating system for mobile computing
Moreover, computing has gained little momentum in third
world
countries.
There
is
no
prior
knowledge
of
any
operating system, so a learning curve is not expected
while
introducing
Linux-based
computers
to
the
people
there.
Following up the success of OLPC (One Laptop Per Child)
initiative by Nicholas Negroponte, Linux proves to be an
effective learning station through which underprivileged
masses can learn computer. Introduction of a strippeddown version of Linux can help a user to get accustomed
to its simplicity and features, and then to move on to
larger, more complex versions with better functionality.22
CONCLUSION
Having thus observed the vital, undeniable and compelling
benefits and advantages of Linux as an Operating System
for mobile platforms, it follows that it is not only a
lightweight, powerful operating system, but also a costeffective,
eco-friendly
option
that
manufacturers
and
device-makers can turn to in order to create a harmonic
balance
of
feature-richness,
simplicity,
power,
user-
friendliness and economy.
22
http://laptop.org/en/vision/index.shtml
12
Shail Deliwala
Student of SYBCA
HLICA