PIXIL -- Linux-based solutions for Internet appliances

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[Vendor: Century Embedded Technologies]

PIXIL provides a complete suite of commercial-ready embedded software solutions for advanced Internet appliances. Developed for multiple form-factor flat panel devices with requirements for wireless communications, networking, web browsing, power management, and GUIs, PIXIL offers a fully integrated architecture based on the open standards of embedded Linux and eliminates the costly and time-consuming need to combine individual components into one integrated solution.

PIXIL's modular framework, with pre-configured elements, is optimized for specific applications to ensure ease of use, compatibility, and maintenance. As a result, PIXIL delivers complete applications significantly reducing time-to-market and streamlining the process of deploying reliable, secure, and highly scalable applications for leading edge devices such as PDAs, WebPads, set-top boxes, cellular phones, smart handhelds, and thin clients.

PIXIL has been designed in a modular fashion so that developers can license just the components their applications require. PIXIL is not specific to any Linux distribution or hardware platform.

PIXIL OE

The PIXIL Open Environment (PIXIL OE) provides the foundation for all PIXIL applications. Unlike other embedded Linux offerings, PIXIL OE has been hand-tuned and optimized by Century specifically for embedded devices. The Microwindows graphical windowing system is at the core of the PIXIL solution for smart flat panels. Microwindows, unlike other windowing systems, was designed from the ground up specifically for embedded Linux. PIXIL features minimal disk and RAM requirements, is designed for portability, and can run on a wide variety of hardware platforms including StrongARM, MIPS, PPC, SH, and x86.

PIXIL OE 1.0 Includes . . .

Microwindows -- a small footprint GUI/windowing framework
ViewML -- a small footprint web browser
FLNX-PDA -- a flat-style custom modified FLNX
NxScreentop -- a screentop and window manager, complete with backlight control, a clock, and input method launchers
NxTerm -- a terminal emulator
NxClock -- an analog clock
NxBill -- a Microwindows version of XBill
NxLoadMonitor -- a small CPU load monitor
Doom game -- distributed without the .wad file.
Calculator
Icons and other graphics
Screen calibrator
Handwriting recognition application
Pop-up keyboard

PIXIL OE is available under two licenses: the GNU General Public License (GPL), and a commercial license. he GPL version is freely redistributable for non-commercial use without royalties. Its use is to promote the Microwindows platform for open environments, as well as for customer evaluation or demonstration of the PIXIL runtime environment on new hardware. The Open Environment is packaged as a configurable set of source files with automated build capabilties for frame buffer, desktop X11 and cross-compilation environments. The commercial version is identical to PIXIL OE GPL, except it is licensed under the PIXIL Commercial License, which allows distribution for commercial or non-GPL environments. Licensing is based on deployment volume, based on blocks of licenses per-purchased.

Features of PIXIL include . . .

PIXIL Personal Information Manager -- The true measure of any PDA is found in the strength of its Personal Information Manager (PIM). Pixil PIM offers a collection of robust, ready-to-use software applications that includes an Address Book, Scheduler, Notes, and To Do List. All PIXIL PIM applications can be easily synchronized with their desktop counterparts found in PIXIL Desktop.
PIXIL Desktop -- The PIXIL Desktop boasts a complementary set of applications that share data with their PIM counterparts resident on the PDA or other flat-panel device. The PIXIL Desktop provides a comprehensive solution that will maintain addresses, scheduled appointments, a to-do list, and notes, synchronizing the user data between the PIM suite and desktop. The PIXIL Desktop also has a graphical update utility that allows the PDA system to load updated software and facilitates the easy addition or removal of programs.
PIXIL Internet Connectivity -- The Pixil Internet Connectivity software offers a set of robust applications designed for the Internet. Devices containing a modem, Ethernet or wireless networking hardware access the web using a software suite featuring:
- ViewML Internet Browser
- Email client
PIXIL Applications -- In addition to traditional PIM and Desktop collections, PIXIL also boasts expanded features that include a set of multimedia, and utility applications:
- MP3 player
- Voice recorder
- Terminal emulator
- Calculator

PIXIL Software Developers' Kit (SDK) -- The PIXIL Software Developers' Kit contains all the tools, libraries, source code, and documentation needed to create new PIXIL applications or modify and enhance existing ones. You can change the look and feel of the existing screentop, and create custom applications that seamlessly integrate into the PIXIL environment.

Desktop Emulation and Development -- The PIXIL SDK also includes a software emulator that simulates the target device runtime environment. This enables multiple developers to create, test, and execute applications on the desktop development platform without having the actual target device available. You'll save development time by not having to wait for hardware and dramatically decrease your time to market.
PIXIL SDK Components -- The software features and components that make up the PIXIL SDK include:
- Full source code and a complete makefile/build environment
- All runtime binaries
- A complete development tool chain
- All required libraries
- Desktop development emulator for target platform
- FLNX 2D, 3D, TV widget set
- Email, website, and telephone support
- Complete documentation
Supported Platforms -- The PIXIL SDK is currently available for:
- Applied Data Systems Graphics Client Plus
- Compaq iPAQ
- Intel Assabet
- National Semiconductor SP3GX01 WebPAD Reference Platform
- National Semiconductor SP4SC30 Thin Client Development Board
- National Semiconductor SP4GX10 Thin Client Development Board
Custom SDK Solutions -- Century can create custom Software Developers' Kits to meet your specific requirements.

PIXIL bundled component collections

Bundled component collections are also available, already integrated and ready for use in the following types of target devices:

PIXIL PDA -- The PIXIL PDA suite offers a complete PDA system including an Operating Environment, a full set of PIM applications, and extras you wouldn't expect including an e-mail client, web browser, and a set of multimedia applications. The Microwindows graphical windowing system is at the core of the PIXIL PDA solution. Unlike other windowing systems, Microwindows was engineered from the ground up specifically for embedded Linux. PIXIL PDA features minimal disk and RAM requirements, is designed for portability, and can run on a wide variety of hardware platforms including StrongARM, MIPS, PowerPC, SH, and x86 processors.
PIXIL PAD -- The Century Embedded Operating Environment and Development Toolkit speeds PAD software development time and dramatically accelerates your time to market. Features found in this state-of-the-art operating environment and development toolkit include a complete Linux kernel, graphical runtime system including screentop and application manager, robust Internet browser, multimedia applications, and a complete cross-hosting development environment. Based on Microwindows, the popular embedded Linux graphical API, and anchored by ViewML, the world's first open source Internet browser specifically engineered for embedded Linux, this toolkit and runtime environment contains all the fundamental tools and utilities required to build graphical applications for PAD devices.
PIXIL Thin Client -- Businesses in every industry rely on enterprise-class computing to make information available, and to speed services and products to customers. PIXIL Thin Client reduces the total cost of ownership, allows remote access to applications and data, reduced security risks, and requires less maintenance and support. With PIXIL Thin Client you get innovative features that increase flexibility and productivity, and greatly enhance the user experience.

The PIXIL Thin Client is:
- A complete thin client software solution
- A Citrix ICA and Microsoft RDP client
- A local full-featured Internet browser: HTML 4.0, CSS, JavaScript 1.4, Flash, Real Audio/Video
- Fully supported beginning to end
- Supported on a variety of hardware platforms and processors
- Based on the latest Linux kernel
Technical Features:
- 32 MB minimum RAM / Flash
- Multi connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b
- Client-side audio support
- Local USB support
- Samba and NFS Support
- Font and RGB server support
- Screen resolution up to 1280x1024
- Multi protocol, multi client, and multiple server session support
- Support for Flash Storage Media (CompactFlash and DiskOnChip)
- Local window manager with virtual Windows desktop
- Support for remote window manager and XDM
- Multi language support: All Western European languages, simplified and traditional Chinese, Japanese

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