Microsoft throws down XP gauntlet at the feet of Embedded Linux -- Microsoft has published an online document entitled "Why Microsoft Windows XP Embedded and Not Embedded Linux?", in which embedded XP is compared to Embedded Linux in eight ways. Given that fact that "Embedded Linux" is not the product of a single dominant vendor, but rather is the result of the collaborative (and competitive) efforts of an entire market consisting of dozens of large and small companies plus thousands of individual developers, LinuxDevices.com is inviting the Embedded Linux Community to respond through guest editorials and talkbacks. Here are two articles on this subject . . .
Hacking the TCSX-1 for fun and profit -- Join John Lombardo, as he checks out Advantage Business Computer Systems' TCSX-1 Thin Client, a tiny 486-based Linux system, to see what makes it tick -- and whether it can be hacked (to put it to work for other purposes). WARNING: this is a geeky how-to article, complete with photos and nitty gritty details! Story
Is Embedded Linux a Bust? -- Writing at Embedded.com, Jack Ganssle questions the value and success of Linux in the embedded market -- apparently based on three factors: (1) the experience of a friend, who failed at starting an Embedded Linux business; (2) his first-hand experience from his travels, where he still sees most projects being based on "home grown" kernels; and (3) the fact that Linux isn't a real-time operating system (RTOS). Story
TI rolls out highly integrated dual-core (RISC+DSP) SOC -- Texas Instruments launched its first general purpose dual-core (RISC+DSP) system-on-chip processors, supported by a customized port of Embedded Linux. The new processors include an extensive set of system and peripheral controllers, including a 10/100 megabit Ethernet port. Applications for the built-in DSP are expected to include wireless communications, handwriting recognition, text-to-speech, voice recognition, data acquisition and control, and pre/post audio processing. Story
TimeSys unveils new GPL-released Embedded Linux -- TimeSys announced the availability of TimeSys Linux GPL, a freely distributed, open source operating system for multiple embedded boards based on PowerPC, ARM, Super-H, and Pentium. The product includes a low-latency Linux kernel plus all required libraries, tool chains, utilities, drivers, scripts, and documentation, all distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Story
Report from the 3rd Real-Time Linux Workshop -- Peter Wurmsdobler provided this report on the recent Real-time Linux Workshop held in Milan, Italy. Although the aftermath of the tragedy of September 11 diminished the involvement of American participants, the workshop was a melting pot of software and hardware engineers and brought together developers, users, advocates, and a trade show all under one roof. Story
PocketPC PDAs to surpass PalmOS PDAs in 2005? -- According to a recent market research report, shipments of PocketPC-based PDAs will surpass those of PalmOS-based PDAs in 2005. Palm currently has the leading PDA operating system, but it will see increasing competition from Windows CE (PocketPC), Symbian Epoc, and Embedded Linux. This story includes a chart showing projected market share for each PDA OS. 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
Sharp aims new ARM-based SOC at multimedia apps -- Sharp Microelectronics has rolled out the LH7A400, a 200MHz system-on-chip (SOC) based on an ARM9TDMI RISC core. The new SOC includes a color LCD display controller and provides interfaces to SRAM/SDRAM/Flash, MMC, PCMCIA/CF, Smart Cards, USB, UARTs, Synchronous Serial, and AC'97 Codecs. Embedded Linux support for the device is be made available via a strategic arrangement with Lineo (second story). Story1 Story2
Additional news items and announcements of interest to the Embedded Linux Community . . .
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: Dec. 6, 2001, 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.