More on Torvalds' Transmeta mystery?
Published: 22 Nov 1999 11:13 GMT
Linus Torvalds has dropped a few more tantalising clues about where his super-secretive startup is heading. During comments he made to ZD Radio, The founder of Linux hinted that a forthcoming chip being developed by his Transmeta Corporation will be aimed at mobile devices, such as intelligent cellular phones.
"We aren't really ready to announce what we're doing in any big way," Torvalds said. "We believe very strongly in mobility. Mobile phones are changing how people thing about how technology should be."
Cellular phones, Torvalds said, "are showing people how convenient technology can make life." Transmeta will "come clean on January 19," Torvalds said, reiterating the message posted on the company site. "We're doing a microprocessor. I really can't say anything else."
Analysts believe that Transmeta, with the help of Torvalds, is building operating system software -- most likely Linux code -- into the processor, which will then be utilised in devices. This could help reduce cost, among other things.
It could also be a boon for customers looking for a single device to help them stay connected, even while out on a beach -- as Transmeta's Web site depicts.
The company's cryptic Web site also provides some clue as to what it's up to. A secret message hidden in the source code of the new Web site, posted last Tuesday, gives some more clues."Transmeta's policy has been to remain silent about its plans until it had something to demonstrate to the world," it reads in part.
However, "Crusoe will be cool hardware and software for mobile applications. Crusoe will be unconventional, which is why we wanted to let you know in advance to come look at the entire Web site in January, so that you can get the full story and have access to all of the real details as soon as they are available."
Transmeta was founded four years ago. According to published reports, the company had been developing low-power mobile processors for notebook PCs, but gave up to work on what has become Crusoe. David Ditzel, a former Sun processor designer, is the chief executive of the company.
Take me to the Linux Lounge
Did you find this article useful?
87 out of 119 people found this useful
Digg
Slashdot
Del.ici.ous
Stumble
Reddit
