Linux in India: Mobilis, a "Linux-based Mobile Desktop," Unveiled

The entire team working on the project was absolutely clear in their mind the type of product required for Indian conditions and the common man, said India's Minister for Science and Technology and Ocean Development, Shri Kapil Sibal, as he unveiled Mobilis, a Linux-based Mobile Desktop and two of its variants-Mobilis Wireless and Sofcomp, an affordable and ultra-compact desktop at a function today.

Complimenting the group of scientists for their achievement, Shri Sibal described it as a great team effort and expressed confidence that these products will be able to provide solution to many problems facing the country.

The products have been developed in India by Encore Software Ltd., Bangalore, under the guidance and financial support of CSIR through its New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) Scheme.

All three products have built-in local-language support and a choice of everybody applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, Personal Information Manager, e-mail, web browser, PC synchronization, etc., as well as local-language interfaces and text-to-speech, at no extra cost.

Mobilis, sporting a 7.4 inch VGA LCD screen and several innovative features, including a six-hour battery life, is a state-of-the-art product for Indian users who demand the freedom to work anywhere, anytime. It delivers outstanding mobile performance and powerful connectivity options, according to Encore, and comes with an innovative carry case that, while ingeniously hiding a full-size, flexible, roll-up keyboard when on the move, opens up as a desktop stand.

Mobilis Wireless additionally offers built-in GPS receiver and GPRS Wireless Modem options. Both devices offer integrated smart-card ready/write capability as well. The third product, Sofcomp, is a very compact desktop designed for offices that don’t really need the cost and bulk of today’s GHz-speed PCs for their day-to-day work.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman and the CEO of Encore Software Ltd. Shri Vinay Deshpande, said the innovative features of Mobilis have already attracted three major clients viz. ITC (for health and education), Reva Electric Car Company (for its dashboards) and some South African Universities for their students.