Meego Operating System

What was MeeGo?

MeeGo was a free, open-source, Linux-based operating system intended to run on a wide range of hardware platforms, from smartphones and tablets to netbooks, in-vehicle infotainment systems, and smart TVs. It was the product of a strategic merger between two existing mobile Linux projects.

1. Origins & conception

In the late 2000s, Nokia was working with its Linux-based platform Maemo (used in devices like the N900) and Intel was working with its Linux project Moblin (for Atom processors and netbooks).

On 15 February 2010, Nokia and Intel announced that they would merge Maemo and Moblin to create MeeGo — a unified, open-source Linux platform for a broad range of devices (smartphones, tablets, netbooks, in-car systems, TVs) under the governance of the Linux Foundation.

The idea: provide developers a single platform (with Qt support, cross‐architecture) that could scale across many hardware types and reduce fragmentation.

2. Early development & versions

An early “phone version” developer release was made available in June 2010, supporting both Intel Atom-based handsets and some ARM devices.

The official version 1.0 (Core + Netbook UX) was released around 26 May 2010.

Different “User Experience” (UX) layers were planned for different device categories — for example Netbook UX, Handset UX, In-Vehicle UX.

3. Ambitions & features

MeeGo used Linux kernel, was open source, used RPM package format.

It aimed to support both ARM and x86 architectures — making it more flexible than many smartphone OSes of that time.

With Qt and other frameworks, developers could write once and deploy across devices.

4. Devices & initial real world rollout

In July 2010 the OS was shown running on a handset for the first time.

The most prominent commercial smartphone using MeeGo (or at least branded as MeeGo) was Nokia N9, released in 2011.

However, despite the ambitions, uptake among device manufacturers was weak. As noted: “We discussed MeeGo with HTC, RIM, Samsung, LG, and Motorola… they were not particularly interested.”

5. Strategic shift & decline

On 11 February 2011, Nokia announced a major strategic shift: it entered a partnership with Microsoft to adopt Windows Phone for its future smartphones, which greatly reduced Nokia’s commitment to MeeGo.

On 2 September 2011, reports emerged that Intel was halting MeeGo development and would shift focus to a new platform.

On 28 September 2011, Intel announced it would shift to support Tizen (another Linux-based OS) and thereby effectively brought MeeGo to an end in its original form.

6. Forks and legacy

Although MeeGo as a project was discontinued, its code and philosophy lived on through forks such as Mer (which used the MeeGo core) and subsequently Sailfish OS (by Finnish startup ‎Jolla).

Many enthusiasts still remember MeeGo fondly for its clean UI, gesture-based navigation, and open platform ethos. Example discussion:

“Loved Meego. Thought it would have a bright future.”

7. Version summary & timeline

Date–>Event
Feb 2010—>Announcement of MeeGo (merger of Maemo + Moblin)
May 2010—>MeeGo 1.0 release (Core + Netbook UX)
June 2010—>Early phone/handset version developer release
Feb 2011—>Nokia shifts to Microsoft/Windows Phone
Sept 2011—>Intel transitions MeeGo discussion into Tizen

8. What went wrong: key factors

Ecosystem & manufacturer adoption: Despite Nokia’s major role, other manufacturers were reluctant to commit to MeeGo, fearing Nokia’s dominance.

Timing: MeeGo arrived when Android and iOS were already becoming dominant. The smartphone market was fast moving.

Strategic shifts: Nokia’s change of direction (to Windows Phone) and Intel’s pivot undermined long-term support.

Device availability: Very few widely-available devices ran native MeeGo; market momentum was lacking.

Fragmentation of UX: The multiple device categories (netbooks, phones, TVs, in-car) made focus more diffuse.

9. Impact & what remains

Architecturally, MeeGo helped prove that a Linux-based open mobile OS could span multiple device types.

Its technology fed into later projects (Mer, Sailfish OS), and the ideas of gesture-based UI and open platform continue to influence.

Devices like the Nokia N9 (with MeeGo or hybrid Maemo/MeeGo) remain cult favorites.

The story serves as a cautionary tale of how even technically strong platforms can falter without ecosystem and strategic stability.

Phase 1: The Pre-Merger Landscape (Pre-2010)

Before MeeGo, two major Linux-based OSs were competing in the nascent mobile and embedded space:

Maemo: Developed by Nokia for its high-end “Internet Tablets” (N770, N800, N810) and, ultimately, the powerful Nokia N900 smartphone. It was based on Debian and used the GTK+ toolkit.

Moblin: Developed by Intel for Atom-processor-based netbooks and mobile internet devices. It was optimized for Intel’s x86 architecture and used the Clutter toolkit for a visually rich, fast UI.

Both platforms were technologically impressive but struggling to gain significant market share against the rising duopoly of Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.

Phase 2: The Strategic Merger (February 2010)

The Announcement: At the Mobile World Congress in February 2010, Intel and Nokia announced they would merge Maemo and Moblin into a single, unified project called MeeGo.

The Governing Body: The project would be hosted by the Linux Foundation, ensuring its open-source governance and neutrality.

The Vision: The core idea was “one OS for multiple device types.” MeeGo would use a common core stack across all form factors, with device-specific “User Experience” (UX) layers built on top. This promised efficiency for developers and a consistent ecosystem.

Phase 3: Development and the Promise (2010 - Early 2011)

Rapid Releases: The MeeGo project moved quickly, releasing its first stable version, MeeGo 1.0, in May 2010, primarily targeting netbooks.

The N9 is Born: While the MeeGo framework was being built, a team inside Nokia continued working on the next-generation smartphone. This device, running an OS called MeeGo Harmattan, was a direct evolution of the Maemo 5 codebase but aligned with the MeeGo vision. It would become the Nokia N9.

Growing Ecosystem: Beyond Nokia and Intel, other companies like AMD, LG, and Vendetta Online expressed support. The first MeeGo Conference was held in November 2010, showcasing a vibrant and optimistic community.

Phase 4: The “Burning Platform” and Sudden Death (February 2011)

This was the dramatic turning point that defined MeeGo’s legacy.

The Elop Memo: On February 8, 2011, Nokia’s new CEO, Stephen Elop, issued his famous “Burning Platform” memo. It stated that Nokia was standing on a “burning platform” and that its own operating systems, Symbian and MeeGo, were not competitive against iOS and Android.

The Fateful Partnership: Just three days later, on February 11, Elop announced that Nokia was abandoning its own OS strategy in favor of a strategic partnership with Microsoft. Windows Phone would become Nokia’s primary smartphone platform.

Impact on MeeGo: This decision effectively killed MeeGo as a strategic platform for Nokia. While the N9 was still scheduled for release, it was now a dead-end product with no future roadmap from its primary hardware partner.

Phase 5: The Swan Song and Aftermath (Late 2011 - Present)

The Nokia N9 (Late 2011): Despite its doomed status, the N9 was released to universal critical acclaim.

The Fragmentation of MeeGo:

MeeGo’s Unexpected Legacy: In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI)

Summary: Why MeeGo Failed

MeeGo failed not because of its technology, which was widely praised, but due to:

Poor Timing: It was announced just as iOS and Android were cementing their dominance.

Slow Development: The merger and creation of a new, unified OS took time that the market did not allow.

Corporate Cold Feet: Nokia’s leadership, facing immense pressure, lost faith in its ability to compete with its own platform and made a strategic bet on Microsoft instead.

MeeGo’s legacy is that of a “what could have been” story—a technologically brilliant platform that was killed by corporate strategy, but whose DNA lives on in Sailfish OS and whose innovative UI concepts were later adopted by the very platforms that defeated it.