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Canonical has announced plans to build a version of Ubuntu for ARM's v7 processors.

"The ARM version of the Linux-based desktop operating system is expected to be released in April," writes InformationWeek's Antone Gonsalves . "ARM competes with Intel's low-power Atom processor, which is gaining traction in so-called netbooks, defined as sub-$500 systems with screen sizes of 10 inches or less."

"Canonical, Ubuntu's commercial sponsor, has already announced plans to develop both netbook and mobile versions in the near future, and this deal with ARM is clearly part of these plans," writes TechRadar's Gareth Beavis.

"The new ARM port is expected to be made available in conjunction with the official launch of Ubuntu 9.04, codenamed Jaunty Jackalope," writes Ars Technica's Ryan Paul. "Improved netbook support was one of the primary development goals leading up to the release of Ubuntu 8.10 last month."

"The news means not only will prospective netbook users have a new version of Linux to look forward to for such devices, but they will be able to run it on hardware other than that available from established netbook hardware vendors Intel and VIA," notes Computerworld's John E. Dunn.

More here from jkOnTheRun ... more here from Network World ... more here from BBC News ... more here from Register Hardware ... more here from DailyTech ... and the press release is here.