Ubuntu is moving further into the mainstream consumer space.

The Linux distro made news last year when parent company Canonical brokered a deal with Dell to preload Ubuntu on certain Dell devices. Since then, Best Buy has begun to sell the Linux distribution, plus an installation guide and 60 days of phone support. Now, Ubuntu and chipmaker ARM have formed a netbook alliance, according to LinuxWorld.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ubuntu developers will create a lightweight version of the operating system to be used on netbooks, and that might be used on mobile phones, the story says.

This version of the Ubuntu Desktop operating system will target the ARMv7 architecture including ARM Cortex-A8 and Cortex-A9 processor-based systems.

ARM VP Ian Drew indicated that an Ubuntu system geared toward ARM technology will allow rapid innovation with always-on, ultramobile devices, the story says. Jan Silber, Canonical COO, says the move is a natural one for Ubuntu.