Linux tool vendor MontaVista is joining the Moblin community, the Intel-sponsored group that's putting a Linux stack on the low-power Atom processor.

MontaVista specializes in tools for building embedded Linux apps on mobile devices like cell phones and GPS systems. Joining forces with Moblin could help the firm break into the netbook market, which appears to be Moblin's present focus with its pre-alpha V2 release designed for the small, cheap mobile PCs.

"We are excited to be a part of the Moblin community," said MontaVista marketing veep Joerg Bertholdt in a statement. "It offers compatibility with existing and future x86 development environments and tools allowing reuse of existing, mature development infrastructure."

MontaVista said it will have its tools ready for Atom chips available by mid-March.

The company's rival Wind River, meanwhile, signed up with Moblin early on and is making an open-source stack for automotive devices. ®

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