HP launches bold open-standards based "blade server" initiative -- This week, Hewlett-Packard introduced a new "blade server" product line. Rather than developing a proprietary approach -- as has been done by rivals Compaq, Sun, IBM, and Dell -- HP based its new blade server product line on a combination of existing open standards: CompactPCI along with several Linux implementations. The story includes HP's press release, analysis by Rick Lehrbaum, and pictures of the blade server boards and chassis. Story
Developer contest for Sharp's Zaurus SL-5000D Linux PDA -- Trolltech has announced a worldwide developer contest to help generate applications for the new Sharp Zaurus SL-5000. Prizes include $10,000 cash (USD), Sharp Zaurus SL-5000D PDAs, Laptops, television, and stereo equipment. The contest, scheduled to run from December 4, 2001 to February 11, 2002, will offer prizes to applications in five categories: games, entertainment/educational, business, system tools, and communications. Story
Device profile: ZapMedia ZapStation -- This "device profile" introduces the ZapStation, a Linux-powered audio/video jukebox for serious consumer audiophiles. Beneath a stereo receiver look-and-feel lurks an 800MHz Intel Celeron equipped with 128MB RAM and a 30GB hard drive, running Linux kernel 2.4. The GUI is based on XFree86, Qt, Java, and a customized Fresco Browser. Story
Report from the Embedded Linux Expo & Conference, Milan -- Kevin Dankwardt submitted a brief report on the Embedded Linux Expo & Conference held last week in Milan, Italy. Story
New uClinux distro boasts "all in one" approach -- SnapGear Inc. rolled out a new uClinux distribution based on the Linux 2.4.10 kernel. The new source distribution includes multi-kernel build options, broad processor family support, libraries, network tools, user applications, and "canned" configurations for numerous boards. Story
KDevelop gains cross-compilation support -- Inspired by Sharp's new Zaurus PDA, developer Ralf Nolden has added cross-compilation support to KDevelop. Developers can now easily develop applications targeting both the desktop and handheld devices such as Sharp's new Zaurus and Compaq's iPaq PDAs, as well as also other embedded devices. Story
New group fosters open development tool platform -- Borland, IBM, MERANT, QNX Software Systems, Rational Software, Red Hat, SuSE, and TogetherSoft announced the formation of Eclipse.org, an open consortium of providers of development tools that manages the Eclipse Platform, which is being made available under an open source license. Story
New Linux-based Open Standard for "smart buildings" -- A group of leading Finnish companies in the construction, building automation and ICT areas have initiated a standardization effort called COBA (Connected Open Building Automation) to develop an OSGi-, Java-, and Linux-based open software architecture for a 'building operating system'. The COBA Group has published a Technical White Paper. The first commercial release of the software will be launched in summer 2002. Story
New group to improve communications dependability -- Twenty companies jointly announced the Service Availability Forum, an industry-wide coalition to fortify services and applications running on the currently overburdened global communications network. The Service Availability Forum will create and promote the open standards that will build the foundation for on-demand, uninterrupted landline and mobile network services. Story
Sharp introduces the Linux/Java Zaurus SL-5500 consumer PDA -- Sharp formally announced the imminent availability of the full production version of the Linux/Java based Zaurus PDA, in conjunction with an all day press and developer symposium held in San Jose, CA. The Zaurus SL-5500 (consumer model) will be available in early 2002. Story
Additional news items and announcements of interest . . .
As part of our continuing efforts to support the rapidly growing Embedded Linux Market, we are pleased to announce the online 2001 Embedded Linux Market Survey. The survey, which is structured in three parts, asks developers of Linux-based embedded systems and intelligent devices to anonymously provide information about their applications, their embedded Linux OS requirements and preferences, and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using Linux in embedded applications.
No problem! Read them here: Nov. 29, 2001, Nov. 22, 2001, Nov. 15, 2001, Nov. 8, 2001, Nov. 1, 2001, Oct. 25, 2001, Oct. 18, 2001, Oct. 11, 2001, Oct. 4, 2001, Sep. 27, 2001, Sep. 20, 2001, Sep. 13, 2001, Sep. 6, 2001
Be sure to stop by LinuxDevices.com -- "the Embedded Linux Portal" -- for the latest news, articles, forums, products, companies, jobs, and buzz in the fast-moving "post-PC" world of Linux-based intelligent devices, Internet appliances, and embedded systems. You can contact us here.