Con il comunicato stampa congiunto di seguito allegato, il chip maker ARM e Canonical, sponsor commerciale di Ubuntu, hanno annunciato un nuovo progetto di partnership finalizzato al porting della distribuzione Linux Ubuntu Desktop sulle piattaforme basate sui processori ARMv7, soluzioni di tipo System-on-Chip (SoC) a basso consumo, tipicamente utilizzate per la realizzazione dei dispositivi mobile.

Aprile 2009 è la data di lancio prevista per i primi sistemi frutto della cooperazione, che vedrà coinvolti, anche se con un ruolo meno rilevante, Debian, GNOME e Mozilla. La reale scommessa di questa partnership sarà vinta se si riuscirà a proporre nel prossimo anno una linea di processori SoC per netbook capace di interrompere il regime di monopolio assoluto che in questo settore esercita storicamente Intel (in questo senso, nè AMD nè VIA hanno ad oggi nel loro catalogo prodotti concorrenti).

Tra le promesse o le aspirazioni di ARM e Canonical vi è anche un nuovo engine per la riproduzione dei video, capace di offrire prestazioni rilevanti da un lato e rispettoso del consumo energetico, requisito imprescindibile in ambito SoC, dall'altro.

CAMBRIDGE, UK – Nov. 13, 2008 – ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMH)] and Canonical Ltd, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, today announced that it will bring the full Ubuntu Desktop operating system to the ARMv7 processor architecture to address demand from device manufacturers. The addition of the new operating system will enable new netbooks and hybrid computers, targeting energy-efficient ARM technology-based SoCs, to deliver a rich, always-connected, mobile computing experience, without compromising battery life.

The combination of a commercially supported, optimized Ubuntu distribution for ARM, together with Canonical’s ability to tailor solutions to specific ARM technology-based devices and OEM requirements, ensures that highly-optimized systems can be rapidly deployed into the fast growing mobile computing market. ARM’s wide partnership with leading semiconductor and device manufacturers strengthens the mobile computing software ecosystem and extends the market reach for Ubuntu-based products.

"The release of a full Ubuntu desktop distribution supporting latest ARM technology will enable rapid growth, with internet everywhere, connected ultra portable devices," said Ian Drew, vice president of Marketing, ARM.  "The always-on experience available with mobile devices is rapidly expanding to new device categories such as netbooks, laptops and other internet connected products. Working with Canonical will pave the way for the development of new features and innovations to all connected platforms."

"This is a natural development for Ubuntu, driven by the demand from manufacturers for an ARM technology-based version," said Jane Silber, COO of Canonical. "Joining the considerable community of free software developers working on the ARM platform ensures that a fully-functional, optimized Ubuntu distribution is available to the ARM ecosystem, providing wider choice for consumers looking for the best operating system for their digital lifestyles."

This version of the Ubuntu Desktop operating system will target the ARMv7 architecture including ARM Cortex-A8 and Cortex-A9 processor-based systems.  Canonical’s support of a full ARM distribution will strengthen the ARM Linux ecosystem and widen the opportunity to leverage ARM technology into fast-growing markets.  This partnership further highlights both ARM and Canonical’s support for open source initiatives and leverages contributions from key open source communities including Linux kernel, Debian, GNOME, and Mozilla communities.  The Ubuntu ARM distribution for desktops and netbooks will be officially available from April 2009.

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