Linux-based NAS storage devices expand capacity, Dec 22, 2007

Netgear has introduced five Linux-based networked attached storage (NAS) products. Targeted at "prosumers" and small to medium-sized businesses, Netgear's ReadyNAS NV+ systems offer higher capacities than previous Infrant models, and come in 1.5TB (terabyte), 2TB, 3TB, and 4TB versions, as well as a 4TB rackmount version.

Motorola plans to launch its next-generation Linux-based "Ming" handsets in the second quarter of 2008, with the hand input intelligence handsets to be available in both high-end and entry-level versions, according to market sources.

One of China's largest handset and infrastructure vendors has reportedly adopted a Linux-based mobile phone software stack as part of its standard 3G mobile phone operating system. ZTE will incorporate Trolltech's Qtopia Phone Edition into its Linux-based "U980" platform for 3G TD-CDMA phones, according to Trolltech.

Wind River has been named the Frost & Sullivan 2007 European Automotive Software Company of the Year. The award is based on criteria including business development, competitive strategy, and leadership in automotive telematics.

Italian point-of-sale (POS) vendor Da Sistemi Group has introduced a Linux-based POS device. The Dandy POS is claimed to be the first PCI-PED certified solution running exclusively on a single-chip SoC -- in this case, Innova Card's USIP.

An influential industry group collaborating on a common Linux-based operating system for mobile phones has standardized on a common toolchain. The Linux Mobile Foundation (LiMO) will standardize on Wind River's commercial Linux technology as a "Common Integration Environment" (CIE), Wind River announced.

The Linux computer operating system, which so far has had little success in use for cellphones, is set to become more widely available in handsets next year, helped by Google's mobile push, said Linux's creator Linus Torvalds.

Quantum3D has announced a rugged, battery-operable computer aimed at video-intensive military applications. The Thermite TVC 3.0 runs Linux, according to the company, and features Core 2 Solo or Duo processors and a variety of video capture and graphics options.

Emlix GmbH is introducing a dual-unit, GPS- and GPRS-based logistics system for tanker transport of liquid goods, such as milk. Its System 3003 combines two Ethernet-linked Linux systems: the in-cabin subsystem (ICS) for driver guidance and the metering-sampling subsystem (MSS) that monitors liquid delivery/collection.

This is the first phone I have ever owned that actually has Bluetooth support, so I spent some time yesterday learning how to use Bluetooth on Linux. This is a short overview of what I discovered.

Access has announced a potentially enormous win in Japan for its Linux-based software stack for phones and other mobile devices. The deal could see the Access Linux Platform (ALP) serving as a common OS platform for NEC, Panasonic, and Esteemo phones sold by NTT DoCoMo and other mobile carriers.

The Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum has announced the completion of the LiPS Release 1.0 specifications (download it here), with the intention of enabling mobile industry players to achieve basic interoperability for applications and services deployed on Linux-based phones.

Copies of Microsoft's former flagship operating system will be placed on XO laptops as part of a limited field trial. As a result, for the first time in a long while, it finds itself in the role of PC hardware tester.

Two fabless networking chip vendors will collaborate on Linux-based reference designs for managed enterprise switches and SOHO/SMB routers.

ICI Controls has announced a "completely sealed" PC intended for embedded and industrial applications in wet and dirty environments. The SC240M is capable of fanless operation, and available with Linux pre-installed on flash storage, according to the company.

The U.K.-based company Sharp and Tappin Technology (STTech) is readying two PCs based on Via's recently introduced pico-ITX motherboard. The picoPC1 and picoPC2 measure as little as 5 x 3.4 x 1.5 inches, and feature separately available cases fashioned from billet aluminum, according to the company.

About half the embedded systems engineers that read EE Times Europe, are planning to use Linux as an embedded operating system, according to respondents to a poll.

While conventional displays use memory-mapped regions to hold the data to be displayed, a new generation of slow but power-efficient display technology requires a new interface.

Mobile phone software stack vendor Access says it supplied the lightweight web browser used in Amazon's Linux-based "Kindle" ebook reader. The NetFront browser enables users to click through to linked reference sites, such as Wikipedia, while they are reading.

Last week, software developer Cliff Biffle wrote a blog post pointing out certain discrepancies in the source code archive made available by Asus for the Linux-based software platform distributed on the Eee PC.

Technologic Systems has announced a single-board computer (SBC) claimed to boot Linux 2.6 in under two seconds. The TS-7800 is equipped with a Marvell 500Mhz ARM9 CPU running a full Debian implementation, and includes a user-programmable on-board FPGA (field-programmable gate array) with 12,000 LUTs (look-up tables).

Haier America is shipping a WiFi-enabled portable media player (PMP) based on Linux. The "Ibiza Rhapsody" has a 30GB hard drive, and is designed to work with the Rhapsody digital music service, AOL Video, and other digital content services.

It's not often I get so excited about a gadget delivery that I keep my eyes peeled for the postman.

Amazon's "Kindle" electronic book reader runs an operating system based on Linux 2.6.10, according to reports.

A Texas-based startup is shipping a tiny, low-cost ARM9 SBC (single-board computer) with an open hardware design and Linux-based software.

A provider of Linux-based 802.11n WiFi arrays has announced a research collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) around 802.11n WiFi. Xirrus will help the Pittsburgh-based university deploy campus-wide 802.11abgn WiFi, with CMU helping to tune Xirrus's Linux-based "ArrayOS."

OpenMoko, a Linux-based open source handset platform developer, is pushing the development of Linux-based smartphone with its open source handset, the Neo 1973, which may be available to the mass-market in the second half of 2008, according to company sources.

Qualcomm is readying three new Linux-friendly, mid-tier, multi-mode phone chips manufactured with 45nm CMOS technology. Expected to sample in Q4, the QSC7xxx chips have 600MHz ARM11 processors, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM radio, along with a multi-band RF tranceiver supporting an alphabet soup of 3G and beyond protocols.

After years of waiting, I finally turned my TV into a computer. It is also a computer that runs Linux, the free open-source operating system.

Kontron has announced a lightweight panel PC for the medical industry, designed to run Linux. The MediClient features fanless operation and low power consumption, making it compatible with battery-driven applications such as mobile nursing stations, according to the company.

Got a Linux Gadget Geek on your shopping list? You can't fail with a gift from this guide to the ten hottest Linux-powered devices gleaned from LinuxDevices.com's news throughout 2007. There's something for everyone, at prices from $150 to $1,000, organized from least to most expensive. Enjoy!

Google's open-source, Linux-based Android software stack may do for mobile phones what DOS did for the PC: create a de facto standard riveting developers together in singular purpose. Or, the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) backing Android could become just another "knitting circle," say industry pundits observing the matter.

Chumby is shipping its Linux-powered device designed for the bedside, desktop, and kitchen counter. The alarm-clock sized "Chumby" has hackable hardware, software, and outerware, connects via WiFi, and can be programmed to display everything from clock faces to stock quotes, says the company.

Objective Interface Systems (OIS) is shipping a version of its real-time CORBA ORB (object request broker) middleware targeting Sysgo's embedded Linux distribution. The integration of OIS's ORBexpress RT with Sysgo's ELinOS is intended to improve security and performance for interprocess communications (IPC) in avionics, telecom, and industrial control applications.

Advocates of Linux, the free open-source operating system, like to say that buying a standard-issue computer involves a Microsoft Tax, because you have no choice but to pay for Windows. New versions of Linux and inexpensive hardware like the new Everex gPC TC2502 make that tax avoidable.

Cellular base stations can now harness digital signal processors (DSPs) for general-purpose control-plane functions as well as signal processing, according to VirtualLogix.

The laptops are scheduled to go into production next month at a factory in China, far behind their original schedule.

An ultra-low-cost Linux-based mini-laptop has received four stars and an Editor's Choice award in a recent Laptop Magazine review. The Asus Eee PC (3EPC) 701 ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) was praised for its clutter-free desktop, fast start-up, and -- considering the price -- generous features.

Adding Windows XP to Asustek Computer's Eee PC will double the price of the low-cost laptop compared to existing versions running Linux.

Crossbeam Systems has started shipping a massive chassis-style, "unified threat management" (UTM) system based on an open Linux OS. The X-Series UTM server runs the company's Linux-based "XOS" OS, and targets highly scalable firewalls and other security applications for large data centers and service providers.

iRiver is readying a Linux-based media recorder/player comprised of a detachable mobile unit and tethered docking station. The Unit2's base station offers a DVD/CD player, TV tuner, and PC-style I/O, while the detachable display features a 7-inch WVGA (800x480) touchscreen, WiFi, and USB.

The low-cost Eee PC laptop is being met with rave reviews. I'll be getting mine next week.

The Neo1973 is the first physical manifestation of a grand idea -- a new breed of wireless handheld built for the open-source age.

Numark is shipping the iDJ2, a Linux-based DJ mixing console built around the Apple iPod. The iDJ2 allows users to play two songs simultaneously from a single iPod, and offers music control with real-time scratching, pitch control, seamless loop, and full cueing.

MontaVista and Access have pledged to work together to produce a version of MontaVista's Linux-based mobile phone operating system optimized for Access's mobile phone software application and middleware stack. Additionally, MontaVista is among six new members of Access's partner ecosystem, which now numbers 73.

Pika Technologies has introduced a compact, customizable, Linux-based IP-PBX appliance. Based on the company's host media processing software, "Pika Warp, the Appliance for Linux," is said to provide IP-PBX (IP-based private branch exchange) functionality along with integrated voice response (IVR), predictive dialing, and appointment reminders.

Ctek Inc. has opened up its SkyRouter broadband wireless data routing platform to Linux device developers, with a family of wireless router development kits. The company's 5100 and 5200 series kits include CDMA radios and run Linux 2.6 on an Axis Etrax SoC (system-on-chip).

RidgeRun has introduced a Linux-based SDK (software development kit) for Texas Instruments's sub-$10 TMS320DM355 digital video SoC (system-on-chip). The SDK is intended to jump-start the development of cost-constrained, battery-powered devices with multimedia requirements such as high-definition video.

Mobile Linux momentum is growing with an increasing support for Linux as a cellular OS from a broad cross-section of the handset industry.

Trolltech has discontinued its Linux-based "Greenphone" development platform. Touted upon its introduction as the first Linux-based mobile phone with user-modifiable firmware, the device will be superseded by various third-party products, including not only open phones, but also portable media players, navigation devices, and home automation equipment, the company says.

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