Jolicloud: The Cloud Friendly OS Flies High

As a project launched in 2008, has Jolicloud quickly become a popular mobile computer operating system developed by the company of the same name. Based on Linux (Ubuntu), the OS is known to be both Internet friendly, and perfect for many devices, particularly those that feature older or limited hardware specifications.

Built with open source technologies in mind, Jolicloud 1.0, which was released during the summer of 2010, is focused at its core with cloud computing. The OS's interface is based on HTML 5, and even the installation process requires a login via an Internet connection.

Other standout features in the 1.0 release include quick and easy app installation from an integrated app center that houses over 700 popular applications, simplified and quick access to social networking services such as Twitter and Facebook, a universal file storage system (and support for online storage systems), and an overall user-friendly experience (in both installation and use) that does not require any prior knowledge, experience, or use of Linux.

The anticipated and newly updated Jolicloud OS - 1.1, has been available as a preview version and the final version has been announced for a November 2010 release. New users will be able to install the 1.1 release as a fresh installation, and current users will be able to perform an in-place upgrade.

What can users expect to find in the new release?

A slew of enhancements will both drive and compliment the new Jolicloud 1.1 operating system, such as, improved battery life for mobile devices, faster boot times, better accelerated video support, and support for new driver versions for Wi-Fi adapters, sound cards, webcams, and other components. Although a variety of hardware configurations are supported, the new release includes an optimized kernel for Atom CPUs.

Listed updated system components include:

• - Resync to Lucid (10.04) for base packages

• - Kernel upgraded to 2.6.35.4

• - X.org upgraded to X11R7.5

• - Gnome, Nautilus, and Metacity upgraded to 2.30

Listed updated native applications include:

• - VLC 1.1.4

• - Chromium 7.0

• - Dropbox 0.6.3

• - Abiword 2.8.2

• - Banshee 1.6.1

• - Firefox 3.6.10

• - Gimp 2.6.8

• - Miro 3.0.1

• - OpenOffice.org 3.2.1

Jolicloud is currently freely available for download at the Jolicloud website. Installation options include a companion installation for Microsoft Windows, or a stand-alone installation. The operating system can also be installed as a virtual machine with software such as VirtualBox for the Apple OS.

Jolicloud can also currently be previewed online at the Jolicloud website via Google's Chrome browser (IE and Firefox are not supported).

Sources/Resources

Jolicloud website