UME - is what they’ve been calling the mobile os being developed based on the ubuntu linux operating system. I’ve already stated the initial release date in a previous blog entry, I hadn’t realize that it was about the same release date for gutsy gibbons the upcomming release for ubuntu desktops.

A UME mailing list and wiki entry have already been setup on Ubuntu Wiki and they have already started releasing the technical specifications, code and packages for UME. You may read more on the Ubuntu road map here. If your interested in speaking with people to garner more information on the ume Feel free to jump onto #ubuntu-mobile on FreeNode. There is also a detailed developers blueprint for the UME project located here.

First thing I did was run to irc to garner more details. I initially thought that the UME was directly for pda’s and other pocket and hand held mobile devices. Seem I was not 100% correct. After speaking with one of the members of the development team from the #ubuntu-mobile room on freenode I had a better understanding of the project.

See the convo below:

[gotnix] hey. Can someone if possible tell me what exactly will the ume be able to run on?
[gotnix] I’m hoping that it extends to smart phones such as the qtek. and so on
[adilson] gotnix: We are still too in the beginning of the project to be able to tell anything for sure but AFAICT, the idea is to have everything from the desktop.
[gotnix] thats what i thought? which leads me to the question of why?
[gotnix] If there is already ubuntu for the desktop why make another edition called mobile
[gotnix] I’m not against it. I”m very excited about the project.. and have high hopes (hoping it extends to the mobile device market, pda’s etc)
[adilson] gotnix: because the requirements for the hardware are different. The UI has to have specific features like support for small screens and touch. The kernel has to fit those requirements also and so on…
[gotnix] Meaning if that is going to be a possibility it might not be anywhere in the immediate future.
[gotnix] okay… fair enough. Small steps I can only hope Ubuntu will make its way to the pda market eventually
[adilson] gotnix: The schedule is to have the first version lauched at the same time as the next desktop version: october.
[gotnix] yeah i read about simultaneous launching of the ume with gutsy. but I mean for pda’s and so on.
[adilson] gotnix:Our first target are devices like x86 webpads. Things like PDAs are different beasts. Of course we want to cover them also but can’t say right now when.

that clears up a bit for me. Thanks alot again adilson. As soon as the first pda beta is out I’ll test. I volunteer whatever handheld I will own when that time comes.