Intel reportedly plans to back off MeeGo OS

Intel reportedly plans to temporarily discontinue development of its MeeGo OS due to a lack of enthusiasm for the platform from handset and tablet PC vendors. Instead, Intel will focus on hardware products, with its handset platforms to be paired with either Android or Windows Phone in 2012, according to industry sources.

In response, Intel said it does not comment on industry speculation or rumor. The company did say it remains committed to MeeGo and will continue to work with the community to develop and help meet the needs of customers and end users with open source.

The MeeGo was initiated by Intel and Nokia in March 2010, and the two companies have since then set up a joint innovation center to develop the product. However, Nokia has recently shifted its resources to develop new devices based on Windows Phone 7 as the research results from the joint innovation center have fallen short of expectations, the sources indicated.

Some market observers also concerned about the prospects for MeeGo OS as none of the major device vendors has rolled out MeeGo-based products such as tablet PCs or netbooks for the mainstream market.