James Martin 5 hours agoThe open-source platform MeeGo has largely been in limbo since Nokia's shock announcement in February that it was hitching up his smart phone operations to Windows 7 Phone instead. But the wheels may be about to start moving again after it emerged today that LG has become a working group to develop a mobile version of the software. MeeGo was formed through the merger of Nokia's existing Maemo platform and Intel's Moblin, but the assignment began to come under scrutiny over how long it seemed to take to get any actual consumer units up from the ground. Ironically, Nokia's pullout came just days before MeeGo-powered Nokia N9 was expected to be unveiled at the Mobile World Parliament - a device we will probably now never see. LG will be the likes of ZTE and China Mobile on MeeGo working group, and is clearly looking to fill the considerable void left by the Finnish phone company's withdrawal.
MeeGo head saying in the LG corner for phones (LG: not really) April 15, 2011 | Devindra HardawarView commentsCommentsTweetWith Nokia move to Windows 7 Phone and not look back, it does not seem to be much hope left for Intel's mobile platform MeeGo - especially because it yet no phones that use it.
Discussions taking place.
But Valterri Halla, Intel team member who is spearheading the initiative MeeGo are convinced that Nokia's absence will encourage other manufacturers to join the MeeGo party.
You will see things coming out this year, very soon.
Speaking at a developer conference on Friday, said Halla as LG has joined ZTE and China Mobile to contribute to MeeGo phones.
Despite strained his wagon to Microsoft's post, Nokia has confirmed that it still plans on his first - and last - consumer device running MeeGo later this year, but details are still thin on the ground.
It is [Nokia leave] open opportunities for others to come in, said Halla.
Via Reuters.
Discussions taking place.
You will see things coming out this year, very soon.
An LG spokesman splashed some neutral water on Halla is the tension, telling Reuters that the company still has no plans to deliver MeeGo phones.
It does not sound like a company that is excited MeeGo.
It also does not make much sense for LG to share their work with MeeGo when it's just starting to roll out attractive Android superphones as G2x.
Nokia said earlier that it still plans to deliver a single MeeGo phone this year as an experiment, but it will not be pursuing the platform beyond.
MeeGo, which originally started as a collaboration between Nokia and Intel, was a tough sell from the start.
It was initially announced as open source Linux-based platform for netbooks, tablets and phones, but we have yet to see many MeeGo devices.
There are some MeeGo netbooks and tablets are available, but they are more technology demos than actual competitors to iPad and Android.
Intel has said that there does not blink at MeeGo, probably because it is already heavily invested in its development.
But MeeGo is not decisive for Intel - the company continues to support Windows Phone and Android.
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He studied philosophy at Amherst College, worked in IT support for several years, and has been writing about technology since 2004.
He now lives in Brooklyn, New York.
You can reach him at devindra@venturebeat.com (all about the storey should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com), and on Twitter at @ Devindra.
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