Intel (http://www.intel.com) and Nokia (http://www.nokia.com) are merging their Moblin and Maemo software platforms.

This will create a unified Linux-based platform that will run on multiple hardware platforms across a wide range of computing devices, including pocketable mobile computers, netbooks, tablets, mediaphones, connected TVs and in-vehicle infotainment systems.

Called MeeGo, the open software platform "will accelerate industry innovation and time-to-market for a wealth of new Internet-based applications and services and exciting user experiences," says Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini. MeeGo-based devices from Nokia and other manufacturers are expected to be launched later this year.

This announcement strengthens the Nokia and Intel relationship, and builds on the companies' broad strategic collaboration announced in June 2009. Intel and Nokia now invite participation in MeeGo from existing Maemo and Moblin global communities and across the communications and computing industries.

Nokie CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo says that MeeGo blends the best of Maemo with the best of Moblin to create an open platform for multiple processor architectures. MeeGo builds on the capabilities of the Moblin core OS and its support for a range of device types and reference user experiences, combined with the momentum of Maemo in the mobile industry and the broadly adopted Qt application and UI framework for software developers.

MeeGo also unites the robust worldwide Maemo and Moblin applications ecosystems and open source communities, Kallasvue says. For developers, MeeGo extends the range of target device segments for their applications, he adds. Using Qt for application development means that they can write applications once and easily deploy them on MeeGo and across other platforms, for example, on Symbian.