(announcement) This morning I have released the first public distribution of the new user mode “unified” Voicetronix API. This new API, like it's predecessor, is being made available under the GNU public license (GPL). The Voicetronix API allows one to build free telephony applications using Voicetronix 4-port analog DSP telephony cards, and acts as both an API and “driver” for this purpose. (more…)

Note from editor: Nokia has today launched a new product, a home “infotainment” center, which relies heavily on embedded Linux and other “open” technologies. Here, we reproduce a pair of press releases: a general announcement featuring information about the product's features and benefits; and second announcement which highlights the technologies used and Nokia's open source strategy and plans… (more…)

For many in the Linux community, WAP — the Wireless Application Protocol — leaves a bittersweet taste because of its semi-open nature. The WAP forum is an elitist club for telecommunication giants that requires $27,500 up front and does not promote open discussion about its specifications. (more…)

Introduction

MontaVista has developed a hard real-time fully preemptable Linux kernel, based on Linux kernel 2.4. The preemptable kernel has the potential to dramatically improve application responsiveness of the Linux kernel, while fully preserving the standard Linux programming model. (more…)

This whitepaper by Boris Kuschel provides an introduction to the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), oriented to the embedded Linux market. Kuschel defines WAP, explains its importance in wireless communication between devices, and discusses the requirements for supporting WAP in Linux based servers and client devices. Kuschel writes . . . (more…)

This article by Shekhar Govindarajan, at PCQuest, explains exactly how to turn a Linux system into a server that can stream MP3s over a network to client devices. Govindarajan writes . . . (more…)

MontaVista Software has taken the wraps off what it calls a “hard real-time fully preemptable Linux kernel prototype,” based on Linux kernel 2.4. The company claims its kernel modification has the power to revolutionize the application responsiveness of Linux, while fully preserving the Linux programming model. (more…)

Making Qt available under the GPL makes it legal to take an existing GPL-covered program and adapt it to work with Qt. It also provides a way to resolve one of the free software community's long-standing problems, the problem of the ethical and legal status of KDE. (more…)

Since the editorial by Eirik Eng on freshmeat.net on July 1st we have received many comments on our stance in the licensing discussions concerning the QPL and the GPL. As mentioned in that editorial we have been actively working for some time to make the QPL compatible with the GPL. (more…)

M-Systems and LynuxWorks today announced support for M-Systems' DiskOnChip flash storage technology under LynuxWorks' BlueCat Linux embedded OS. DiskOnChip supports the harsh environments and other embedded requirements of embedded computing applications ranging from military systems to Internet appliances. (more…)

In this statement by Eirik Eng and Matthias Ettrich of Trolltech, the Eng and Ettrich review the history of Qt's licensing and describe the thought process that led to Trolltech's decision to add an option of GPL licensing to Qt. Eng and Ettrich write . . . (more…)

Richard Stallman, of the Free Software Foundation, has issued a statement regarding the recent move by Trolltech to add a GPL license option to Qt, and the implications of that change in Qt status on KDE. Stallman's statement is interesting in that it helps to clarify the GPL license and the issues associated with using GPL libraries with non-GPL software. (more…)

Somerville, MA — (press release) — iRobot Corporation announced today the first multi-purpose domestic robot that can be controlled through a web browser from anywhere in the world. This revolutionary product, called the iRobot-LE, gives its owners on-demand remote eyes and ears into their homes. (more…)

Lindon, UT — (press release) — Lineo today named Bob Waldie as Chief Operations Officer. Effective immediately, Waldie will be accountable for many of Lineo's day-to-day operations. Waldie comes to Lineo from Moreton Bay, based in Brisbane, Australia, where he was founder and CEO. (more…)

San Francisco, CA — (press release) — CMP Media today announced that a debate focusing on the pros and cons of “free,” or open source, software and its role in the embedded industry will be an opening day highlight of the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC). Moderated by Michael Barr, editor-in-chief of Embedded Systems Programming magazine, the panel will pit four embedded software experts against each… (more…)