FAQ: Mobile Platform SDK - An Open Source Project for Windows* and Linux*

1. What’s new in Mobile SDK 1.3?

The Mobile Platform SDK 1.3, open source project is covered by BSD license for both Windows and Linux. In addition, supports Linux Ubuntu version 7.10 for notebooks, and support for Moblin UME on UMPC and Atom-based devices.

2. What is the Mobile Platform Software Development Kit (Mobile Platform SDK) version 1.3?

Intel Corporation is providing the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 as a free, open source project to give the developer community an innovative solution for cross platform and cross OS development of mobile-aware applications. The powerful feature set of the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 enables developers to create efficient, reliable software that adapts to fluid mobile computing environments.

The Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 for Windows enables mobile features for applications running on notebook and tablet personal computers, smart phones, personal digital assistant (PDA), and Ultra Mobile Devices platforms. The Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 for Linux enables mobile features for applications running on notebooks, and supports Moblin UME on UMPC and Atom-based devices.

3. Why should I care?

The Mobile Platform SDK enables you to develop software with features for mobile computing anywhere, at anytime. With the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source version, you can optimize your offering by creating dynamic context-aware applications that can:

All of these advantages can help expand your customer base and lower engineering costs.

For more detailed information please visit: Intel Mobile Platform SDK

4. What are the benefits?

• High-level API that unifies and abstracts the following platform Contexts:
  • Connectivity
  • Bandwidth
  • Power
  • Storage
  • Display
• Added Efficiencies
  • Supports events on all properties of device contexts, and includes pre-defined events (Thresholds)
  • Common event programming model and single internal polling/notification mechanism
• Multi-Language/Runtime Support (C++/.NET/Java*)
• Multi-Platform/Multi-OS support – single API across many operating systems:
  • Microsoft Windows Vista*, Business and Ultimate Editions
  • Microsoft Windows XP* Professional with Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Windows XP* Tablet PC Edition 2005
  • Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC and Smart Phone
  • Windows Mobile® 5.0 for Pocket PC and Smart Phone
  • Linux Ubuntu 7.10
  • Moblin UME on UMPC and Atom-based devices

5. Why did Intel Corporation open source the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3

Based on customer and industry feedback, Intel has moved the Mobile Platform SDK to an open source distribution model to make the software easily available for the Windows and Linux open source developer community. Availability is a key factor in driving the next generation of mobility software, accelerating application development, and inducing business growth.

6. What is the open source licensing model?

The Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source license is BSD.

7. What are the differences between the Intel Mobile Platform SDK 1.1 version and the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source version?

The Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 is a free, open source project which includes the following new key features:

• RFID interface
• Development support for Visual Studio* 2005 and .NET* Framework 2.0
• The Mobile Platform Provider Development Kit (Mobile Platform PDK) enables developers to create plug-in modules that support 3rd party devices.
• Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT) detection
• Intel® Centrino® mobile technology detection
• Enhanced C++ API uses StringObject rather than wchar_t and uses VectorObject rather than vector
• The Mobile Platform SDK version 1.3 adds support for the following operating systems:
  • Microsoft Windows Vista*, Business and Ultimate Editions
  • Microsoft Windows XP* Tablet PC Edition 2005
  • Windows Mobile® 5.0 for Pocket PC and Smart Phone
  • Linux Ubuntu 7.10 for notebooks
• Windows Mobile® 2003 was tested and supported in MPSDK v1.1. For this Open Source release the software was tested on Windows Mobile® 5.0 not tested on the 2003 version. If you intend to target 2003, give it a try and let us know if you have questions.
• Due to licensing restrictions, support for the following devices have been removed from the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3:
  • Removal of IVT* Bluetooth device implementation
  • Removal of Sierra* CDMA/GPRS device implementation
  • Removal of Symbol* Network device implementation
  • Removal of Windows* 2000 support

8. Are applications developed with Intel® Mobile Platform SDK 1.1 for Windows compatible with the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3?

Yes. Any mobile application developed with the Intel® Mobile Platform SDK 1.1 is compatible with the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source version for Windows.

9. How do I get the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source version for Windows or Linux or Moblin?

The Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source package is available on the following sites:

• Intel ISN Intel Mobile Platform SDK
• SourceForge.org http://sourceforge.net/projects/mpsdk

10. How do I contribute code to the open source version?

Information on open source contributions, licensing, and distribution can be found at:  Intel Mobile Platform SDK

11. What is the development environment for the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source version?

• You need the .NET Framework* 1.1 or 2.0 to write and run .NET applications
• Microsoft Virtual Studio* .NET* 2003/2005
• Microsoft Embedded Virtual C++ 4.0 (SP4) for Windows Mobile* development
• Sun Microsystems JDK* 1.4.2 or higher needed when writing and running Java* applications
• Linux gcc/g++ 4.1.2 or above

12. What platform devices are supported?

Device support includes:

• Processor
• Battery
• Network, including:
  • Wired (802.3)
  • Radio (802.11)
  • Bluetooth
  • GPRS/CDMA
• Platform
• Display Adapter
• Physical Disk
• Logical Disk
• Memory
• RFID Reader.

Context support includes:

• Connectivity
• Bandwidth
• Power
• Display
• Storage

13. What type of customer support is available?

The Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source project provides email, forum, and bug report support. Go to: Intel Mobile Platform SDK

14. How can I add devices?

The Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source version includes the Mobile Platform Provider Development Kit (Mobile Platform PDK) for Windows* XP/Vista. The Mobile Platform PDK enables the ISV Provider, such as the Device vendor, to integrate their devices into the Mobile Platform SDK runtime dynamically. Examples of these devices are an RFID reader and a network adapter.

15. What are the future plans to support additional Linux distributions?

Currently the Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 for Linux supports Ubuntu 7.10 for notebooks, and now supports Moblin UME on UMPC and Atom-based devices.

16. Why was the license changed from Apache to BSD?

The BSD license covers both Windows and Linux.

17. Where can I get more technical details about Mobile Platform SDK 1.3 open source?

For more detailed information, visit Intel Mobile Platform SDK

For more complete information about compiler optimizations, see our Optimization Notice.

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