Linux watch: Only time will tell, Oct 11, 2001

IBM is working with Citizen Watch in an effort to bring a wristwatch computer to market.

The watchmaker and computer giant on Thursday unveiled the WatchPad, the first prototype to come out of their collaboration. IBM researchers have come out with prototypes on their own over the past year and a hal

People keep asking, "All this stuff about Embedded Linux 'taking off like a rocket' sounds great, but are any companies really shipping Embedded Linux in real products? . . . and, if so, when are some of these Embedded Linux based products going to start hitting the market?"

The answer is "You bet, they're designing Embedded Linux into real products! Lots of 'em!" As for when these products will start shipping to customers, some are already being delivered in large quantity, and many more are in varying stages of development.

The Red Hat Embedded Linux Developer Suite includes Red Hat Embedded Linux based on the industry-leading open source Red Hat Linux operating system config ured for use in embedded systems. The offering provides the developer with broad capability for different device requirements targeting MIPS, SuperH, X86, PowerPC and ARM/StrongARM/XScale architectures.

Lineo, Inc. today announced the closing of a strategic investment round of $20 million, bringing the overall investment total in Lineo to $57 million.

The use of embedded Linux is growing in the industrial automation industry, making the control and monitoring of machinery no longer the exclusive domain of proprietary systems. Also driving this growth is the need to gather information, often on the fly, from an ever increasing number of Ethernet- and Internet-aware devices.

U.S. software and services company Red Hat and Britain's closely held 3G Lab said on Monday they will develop a ``Linux for the wireless world'' as they team up to write an operating system for Web phones.

The backbone of the "connected" home will clearly be a computer of some sort. This computer (or "home services gateway" as I've heard it called) won't be a desktop PC that crashes when you install new software or gets infected by a virus every time your children download a new game from the Internet.

It probably won't need much of a graphical user interface (GUI), if at all. It won't even need to be very powerful. There's no reason why the obsolete computers of tomorrow can't be transformed into stable Linux servers for the connected home.

But times have been tough for embedded Linux companies, as the economic malaise has curtailed customer and manufacturer interest in embedded product categories such as handheld computers and telecommunications equipment. Lineo withdrew its initial public offering plan in January, and LynuxWorks followed suit in June. Red Hat has said customers in the embedded market are delaying orders.

MontaVista was worried that securing financing would be difficult and laid off about 20 percent of its staff in May, lowering its employee count to its current level of about 140, said Sheila Baker, vice president, marketing. Cuts came chiefly from internal computer system operations and from customer support, she said, adding that the company still is hiring a handful of people in sales and marketing.

Some Linux device makers may be thinking big, but Intrinsyc Software is going in the opposite direction: it has come up with a Linux-based computer that is only 3 inches on a side.

The CerfCube sells for $533 (�379), and comes with a Linux kernel and the Apache Web server. It can also come with Windows CE pre-installed. The device is so small that it comes with a wrist strap for carrying it around.

Yes, SHARP launched a brand new Zaurus in Japan. The MI-L1. This palm sized device includes a completely new OS scheme...it is Linux(!) powered. Another revolutionary difference is its "real keyboard". An elegant case can be easily glided to use a "natural" qwerty keyboard. Other highlights: - 32 bits Risc processor - 16 MB - 240x320 65K colors TFT-LCD screen Read more at: (english) http://developer.sharpsec.com <<== Job opportunity!!! (english) www.sharp-world.com ==>> News (Products and Press) (spanish) www.sharp.cl ==>> Noticias TI Please send me your comments to: montt@infovia.cl Built-in Functions: Internet e-mail Supports POP3/SMTP/PPP protocols Attachment Data MIME method Attachment File Graphics (JPEG), word-processed, spreadsheet, handwritten memos WWW Browser Supports HTML 3.2, SSL (128-bit), Cookie, Frame, JavaScript 1.1 subset, Auto Surfing, Internet Library, switchable vertically and horizontally Personal Data Control Scheduling, address book, handwritten memos, data file, action list, word-processor, photo-memory, action planner, electronic calculator, world clock, user setup, PC link, secret, all functions lock, camera-shooting Built-in MORE SOFT Word-processor, Book viewer, Magazine viewer, Post Magazine viewer, Internet link setup assistant, "First of all" (for user registration and "Sharp Space Town" on-line signup), * Report & Free Notebook, Personal Database II, Spreadsheet, Word-processing conversion, and Spreadsheet conversion software will be released from Sharp Space Town late in May 2001, and VALUE-MAIL capable software early in June 2001. Software Collection CD-ROM (CD-ROM supplied) Zaurus Power Connection Update Program (PC software), Integrated dictionary (MORE SOFT software + dictionary data), graphics rotation, above-mentioned software built in PC unit PC Link PC link kit (optional), cradle (optional) Communication Specifications: Built-in Adapters for Communication Digital cellular phone adapter, cdmaOne adapter, PHS adapter Applicable Digital Cellular Phones(cdmaOne, Doccimo included) NTT DoCoMo, J-phone, Tuka-phone and au groups(Some models can't be connected) Applicable PHS Phones(H" included) NTT DoCoMo group, Astel and DDI Pocket(Some models can't be connected) Baud Rate Digital cellular phone: 9.600 bps cdmaOne: 64 kbps, 14,4 kbps, 9,600 bps (64 kbps for packet communication) PHS: 32 kbps/64 kbps (Astel supports only 32 kbps) * These numerical values are not practical baud rates applied when the phones, product and system are included. Optical Communication IrDA protocol (Supports 115 kbps, IrTran-P) Optical Communication Distance Up to approx. 200 mm General Specifications: Power Supply 3.6 V, DC lithium-ion rechargeable battery (AD-T51BT) Operation Time Continual display of "Calendar": Approx. 10 hours Continual operation (with an hourly repetition of 5 minutes of search and 55 minutes of display): Approx. 7 hours Continual data communication at P-in Comp@ct: Approx. 2 hours Continual data communication through cable link with PHS phones: Approx. 3 hours and 40 minutes Continual data communication through cable link with digital cellular phones: Approx. 4 hours and 10 minutes Note: These numerical values are those applied when the operating temperature is 25�� and the rechargeable battery (AD-T51BT) is fully charged. Operation time differs with ambient temperature and other operating conditions. Power Consumption 1.0 W Operating Temperature 0 - 40 External Dimensions With LCD protection cover removed: 81.5 (W) x 17 (H) x 139.5 (D) mm 3.2" (W) x 0.7" (H) x 5.5" (D) (protuberances excluded) With LCD protection cover fitted: 81.5 (W) x 20 (H) x 139.5 (D) mm 3.2" (W) x 0.8" (H) x 5.5" (D) (protuberances excluded) Net Weight With LCD protection cover removed: Approx. 185 g (0.4 lb) With LCD protection cover fitted: Approx. 205 g (0.5 lb) (Stylus, disk drive protection card, rechargeable battery included) Accessories 1 lithium-ion rechargeable battery (AD-T51BT), AC adapter (EA-68), stylus (attached to PC unit), LCD protection cover (attached to PC unit), protection card (attached to PC unit), "First Read" manual, Operation manuals (basic edition, communication guide), Sharp Space Town On-line Signup, CD-ROM software collection package, CD-ROM software manual, Post Magazine Club, Customer service information guide, MI-L1 system guide, warranty

Germany's Tuxia, an embedded Linux startup, on Friday announced a deal to bring the company into the expanding Chinese market for Internet appliances. Tuxia is to co-develop Linux-based gadgets like thin client terminals, set top boxes, PDAs and Web pads with Beijing Orient Electronics Group, a large manufacturer of electronics components and displays.

With big-name companies such as Sharp deciding to use Linux in their devices, a leading trade organisation wants to promote the cause of embedded Linux throughout Europe

Pricing pressure and declining royalty revenue could hit gross margins going forward, he argued in his May 4 research note. In addition, Wind River's service revenue is at risk of declining as customers cut back on outside consulting services. In addition, Wind River faces competition from the likes of Microsoft and Red Hat. And many corporate IT departments choose to design their own proprietary operating systems based on the free Linux operating system

�ELC Chairman Dr. Inder Singh of LynuxWorks said, "The embedded Linux energy level in Europe is extraordinary. This organizing event is a direct result of needs expressed by our members. We are confident that ELC-E will launch with a running start."

Officials at Sony's UK offices confirmed on Thursday that the company is to release an official version of Linux to run on the PlayStation 2. However, it will only be compatible with Japanese versions of the console at this stage.

Berlin-based Convergence has developed a modular Linux-based operating system that enables digital and interactive TV functionality in set-top boxes and Internet appliances.

Linux newcomers are becoming part of the mainstream effort to create software for non-PC "embedded" computing devices, as indicated by a host of trade show announcements. A number of companies, such as TimeSys, Red Hat, Lineo, LynuxWorks and MontaVista Software have been working to squeeze it into smaller embedded devices such as network routers, handheld computers and set-top boxes.

And as Microsoft pushes harder in the embedded computing market, it's coming up against a familiar rival from the server market: Linux. Though it hasn't encroached much on Microsoft's stronghold on desktop computers, Linux has spread rapidly to the embedded market, with backing from Red Hat and many smaller companies.

Making their strongest bid yet for the embedded market, open-source vendors will unveil a host of software products at this week's Embedded Systems Conference. Operating systems, development kits and wireless protocol stacks designed for the embedded arena and aimed squarely at a broad array of microprocessors commonly used in that market are among the products scheduled to roll out in San Francisco.

Israel-based startup Galleo announced a Linux-based "mobile multimedia communicator" at this month's CeBIT technology expo in Hanover, Germany. Like several other recently introduced handheld computers with wireless connectivity, the device combines the functions of a PDA, Web appliance, and cellular phone.

To guage industry reaction to Transmeta's Midori Linux Project, LinuxDevices.com posed a series of questions to several leaders of the Embedded Linux software market, and received some interesting responses

Sylvania Computer Products will introduce a new 27-inch digital TV that combines the functions of a TV with those of an Internet appliance. The device, which owes its internal intelligence to a single-chip PC (a National Semiconductor Geode) running an embedded Linux operating system, marks a key milestone in the television industry by being one of the first consumer TVs to include a built-in Internet appliance. Call it the dawn of the "Internet/TV."

Included in the article, Ballmer: 'We're now in full motion'

The Linux approach has led to an environment from which we can all learn, as it's a great way to do developer support. While Windows maintains its pre-eminent position in terms of developer support and interest, there is something about the way the Linux community supports itself that every platform provider should study if it wants to provide broad community. The Linux community support model has resonated with people.

I think the other thing the Linux community has done well is the support of unusual devices, smart devices, embedded devices, and that's why you see us making the investments we are in support and around the embedded community. The fact of the matter is that if the embedded community only needs a simple program loader and memory manager, we don't have a shot, as Linux has got the right price and terms.

LinDVD, a Linux software DVD player developed by InterVideo, provides users with a fully licensed, legal DVD player for use on their Linux platforms.

The software targets makers of embedded Linux devices such as home entertainment equipment. Presently, InterVideo is negotiating with Linux vendors like Red Hat, SuSe, Caldera Systems, and Corel to bundle the software. While the program isn't an open source, the company plans to publish the program's application programming interfaces (APIs) to promote customization.

Linus Torvalds & Co. soon plan to release its mobile Linux distribution to the open-source community.

Transmeta Corp.'s Mobile Linux - whose development effort was led by Torvalds, a Transmeta engineer and the initial creator of the Linux kernel -- will be publicly available "any time now," Dan Quinlan, another Transmeta engineer, said Thursday at LinuxWorld.

Linux may be known as the software that came from nowhere to change the server market, but its effect is being felt in other computing sectors as well.

One area in which Linux has made strides is "embedded" software. This means set-top boxes, handheld devices and other computing contraptions may soon be running Linux-based operating systems.

V-Sync Co., Ltd. announced development of a pay-settlement system called "CoCyph" for petty amounts of money used in combination with portable phones.

The company based the CoCyph system on its experiences in music distribution to mini disks through multimedia kiosk terminals. The company has Linux installed into servers at its music-distribution center and Kiosk terminals at shops. Likewise, Linux is adopted as the operating system for servers providing the clearance infrastructure.

Linux graphical application tool vendor Century Software Embedded Technologies announced Tuesday that an upgrade of its Linux operating environment and toolkit for Net Devices adds support for new platforms, wireless applications, and multimedia.

The tightly locked doors of the auto industry opened a crack in recent weeks, as automakers and their suppliers began examining the possibility of using open-source software.

Transmeta plans to release its version of the Linux operating system for Internet appliances and other devices as early as next week so that developers can begin testing it.

Lineo withdrew its proposed $60 million initial public offering, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Legend Computer, a large Chinese PC vendor, said it will create Linux-based Net devices for the Asian market.

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