The global leader in Device Software Optimization (DSO), Wind River Systems, Inc. announced today that it is collaborating with Intel Corporation to accelerate the Mobile Internet Device (MID) market segment.

With support from Intel, Wind River, will develop an open, extensible Moblin-based Linux platform for the MID market. Wind River will furthermore introduce a commercial Moblin-based Linux platform specifically optimized for Intel® Centrino® AtomTM processor technology-based MIDs. Including a Linux distribution, middleware, and mobile applications targeted to deliver rich Internet and media experiences, Wind River Linux Platform for Mobile Internet Devices will be a full-featured, commercial-grade Linux platform. Wind River, as part of this effort, will participate in and contribute code to Moblin.org, an open source community project where Moblin-based technologies are developed. In 2009, both the open source and commercial Linux platforms are expected to be available.

Focused on enabling Linux solutions for key consumer market segments based on Intel Atom processors, today’s announcement represents a deepening collaboration between Wind River and Intel. Wind River and Intel announced, in May, a similar collaboration targeting the automotive industry.

Mobile Internet Devices are making it possible for consumers to carry the rich Internet-based experiences they are used to on a PC. MIDs are expected to come in a range of form factors, integrate rich applications and services, have a 4- to 6-inch display, and deliver an intuitive user experience. Given its fast responsiveness, small footprint, easy customizability and low cost characteristics, Linux is well suited to meet the needs of the MID segment. According to research firm Strategy Analytics, sales of Mobile Internet Devices are expected to exceed $17 billion worldwide annually by 2014. More than 90 million Mobile Internet Devices will ship worldwide by 2012 as expected by ABI Research.