At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Freescale Semiconductor announced that it is adding 3G wireless connectivity and multiple operating system options for netbooks based on their i.MX515 processor.

We first saw Freescale's reference design at CES in January. The platform's specifications were impressive as was the 720p HD video running on screen. In Las Vegas, ITExaminer saw two prototype netbook computers and a prototype nettop box.

Freescale spun off of Motorola in 2004. For the Barcelona show, they again combined with Pegatron, the original design manufacturer (ODM) arm of Asus, to enhance the platform we saw at CES.

For Barcelona, they are partnering with Wavecom and Option for their 3G communications technology.

At CES Freescale used Canonical’s Ubuntu operating system based on Linux. They have expanded the netbook's capabilities by adding support for operating systems from Android Open Source Project, Phoenix Technologies, and Xandros.

Freescale says the Android platform is a comprehensive, open software stack that includes everything a manufacturer or operator needs to build compelling mobile devices. Some have questioned the wisdom of running Google's Android with a netbook. They are overlooking the fact that in December the Android OS was ported to Asus EEEPC 1000H.

We asked Dr. Jon Peddie, a widely-known expert on graphics and operating systems, about the next-generation feature set of the ARM processors. At the ARM Conference last fall, he said that GPU IP suppliers like ATI, Imagination Technology, and Vivante now have some serious competition. Peddie said he believes the next generation of ARM-based netbooks, like the Freescale -- Pegatron reference design, will be a contendor against Intel's Atom processor netbooks by Christmas 2009.

Bob Morris, director of Mobile Computing for ARM, said that the buildout of Freescale's netbook ecosystem demonstrates the broad support that processors based on ARM Cortex-A8 technology offer.

Peddie said that few users realize the ARM processor has been sitting inside the x86 platform for a long time. He said as an example, nearly every audio card has some ARM IP in the firmware.

Peddie also talked about Phoenix HyperSpace which is an easy-to-use, instant-on operating environment that enables extended battery life and smart network connectivity. He said that Freescale and Pegatron are not the first ODM to have this kind of a feature. Peddie reminded us that HP had an type of 'instant on' in some of their x86 notebooks over 15 years ago.

Glen Burchers, marketing director for Freescale's consumer segment, said that they are excited to showcase Xandros running on the advanced i.MX515 processor. The Xandros solution for Freescale chipsets comes with tools to customize its functions, and interface for specific markets and user demographics.

Andreas Typaldos, CEO of Xandros, said their customized Linux solutions are designed to reduce time to market and costs for OEMs and carriers. Xandros' full-featured user applications include a browser, push-based email, PIM, instant messaging, a photo viewer, a media player, and an office suite to create and edit Microsoft Office documents. All applications support both keyboards and touch screens, and have consistent appearances and behaviours.

Volume production for the i.MX515 device is planned for Q2 2009 to power netbooks designed for the 2009 holiday shopping season. Support for 3G connectivity, as well as for the Android, Phoenix Technologies and Xandros operating systems, is expected to coincide with volume production of the i.MX515.

Freescale is focused on developed markets. At Mobile World Congress, Burcher said they are talking to an Indian technology firm, Encore Software. Encore is reported to be planning to supply millions of ultra-cheap netbooks to India's government as part of an education program.

Burchers said that Freescale thinks India is a huge potential market. X