Linux is quietly making it's way into the family room — but most people are completely unaware of it. An article entitled “Your TV's Next Operating System: Linux” at Business 2.0 over-views the trend and discusses the enabling role of MontaVista Software, one of the leading providers of embedded Linux operating systems . . .

“My office has Windows desktops and a laptop. But in my living room, it's as if Bill Gates had never been born. I have three Linux-powered devices in my stereo rack alone: a TiVo (TIVO), an Audio Request MP3 system, and a Slim Devices MP3 player I've been testing.

“So I was eager to meet with Jim Ready, the CEO of MontaVista Software, which sells developer tools and a version of the Linux operating system to the 'embedded' market — which includes home, portable, and automobile consumer-electronics vendors. According to Ready, MontaVista has more than 500 customers, including consumer-electronics giants such as Nokia (NOK), Panasonic, Philips (PHG), and Sony (SNE). You may not have seen any Linux-powered TVs or car stereos yet — Ready says that only a few are currently on the market. But many devices now in the pipeline will run Linux.

“The consumer might not ever know it. MontaVista presses its customers neither to stamp its brand name on their products, nor to adhere to design or interface specifications that would end up making all the products running its operating system look the same. Most TiVo owners today have no idea that their DVR is running Linux (a homegrown version, not MontaVista's). However, I would not be surprised if, eventually, consumer-electronics products began to carry little MV logos, the way a stereo today will proudly proclaim Dolby certification.”

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