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As MeeGo (the Nokia-Intel Linux-based mobile device OS project) fades away following Nokia's move to Windows Phone, the Linux Foundation announces a new open source project-- Tizen, a standards-based cross-architecture software platform for multiple devices.

With an initial release aiming for Q1 2012, Tizen should support smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, netbooks and in-vehicle infotainment systems. The Linux Foundation hopes the first Tizen-powered devices should be available by H2 2012.

The platform will support HTML5 for device-independent app development as well as the Wholesale Applications Community (WAC) standards.

Leading development are Intel and Samsung, together with the LiMo Foundation-- a consortium consisting of ACCESS, Panasonic Mobile, NEC Casio, NTT DoCoMo, Samsung, SK Telecom, Telefonica and Vodafone.

As budding mobile device platforms (webOS, anyone?) struggle against the rival iOS and Android  behemoths, how will Tizen fare on the battlefield? So far Samsung confirms its support, telling Reuters "we've been a core Linux partner ... and this is in line with our strategy of supporting many platforms."

Meanwhile analysts suggest big operators might "get worried by Android's increasing smartphone dominance" and switch platforms in order to restrict Google's influence on the mobile market. Either way, we should know how Tizen will fare by around this time next year.

Go LiMo Foundation and Linux Foundation Announce New Open Source Software Platform, Tizen

Go Intel, Samsung to Get Behind New Linux Phone software

Lenovo and Compal's extraordinary decision to create a joint venture to build PCs begs this question: When do you stop outsourcing?

When a Tier 1 brand buys into its contract manufacturer, it's because competitive pressure means it is no longer possible for contract manufacturers to bear all the cost burden of building new plants.

By working together, Lenovo and Compal hope to reach new lows in the cost of PCs... putting more pressure on other makers. That's why the new factory is located far away from traditional plants in coastal China. It's all about costs.

Lenovo comes from the IBM tradition of making its own stuff. Like HP, Dell and Acer, Lenovo outsources most PC production to contract OEMs. Unlike those other PC makers, Lenovo also owns factories in China, India, Europe and the Americas.

Why not just build another Lenovo factory? The answer is that this new hybrid model will allow Lenovo to see if it can combine flexibility of ownership with cost-efficiency of outsourcing.

For Compal, it's all about reducing risk (e.g., a new factory when PC sales are in decline) and preserving cash.

No great deed goes by without repercussions in the PC industry: will this move trigger other OEMs to discuss deals with their Tier 1 clients?

If Lenovo's move pushes new lows in price points, you can bet the industry will follow...

Go Lenovo in $300M Joint Venture in China (FT.com, subscription required)

"2011 has been a very tough year for the video games industry" CEO Ian Shepherd says as Game Group H1 2011 sales drop by -10.5% Y-o-Y to £558.8M, with pre-tax losses totalling -£51.5M (from -£21.5M in 2010).

Shepherd insists "trading conditions will remain tough for the remainder of the year"-- an outlook not unlike that of other retails throughout Europe and the UK.

UK and Ireland Game store sales losses total -12%, while international store losses total 10.2%. The only growing Game sector is online, with a Y-o-Y increase of 2.3%.

The retailer hopes 18 special videogame editions will help boost sales in the Christmas period-- or at least show some growth over the last 6 months. According to Shepherd, L.A. Noire was the only game standing out as a strong title in H1 2011, while Nintendo 3DS sales were below expectations.

Go Game Interim Results H1 2011

Here's the date Apple disciples are waiting for-- October 4th, the very probable date for the next iPhone's announcement as revealed in a somewhat cryptic image.

The image shows the announcement date (Tuesday 4th October), time (10:00am California time), the number "1" (will Apple only reveal 1 device?) and the address to the Apple Cupertino HQ.

What can one expect from the Apple event? One thing for sure-- a lack of Steve Jobs, alongside his famous "reality distortion field" superpower. Most likely to take his place on stage is no other than new CEO Tim Cook.

Wild iPhone 5 feature rumours have been flying around since the iPhone 4 launched last year. The more realistic include an NFC chip, voice-activated "assistant" feature, improved cameras and the same dual-core A5 processor as the iPad 2.

Plus it surely won't look too different from the iPhone 4-- noone expects Apple to reinvent the iWheel by this point (even if it would be a pleasant surprise).

We'll learn whether an Apple announcement will capture the imagination sans-Jobs next week, then.

Go iPhone 5 Event Invites are Out (Business Insider SAI)

Go iPhone 5, Minus the Master (FT.com)