Greg Haerr is CEO of Century Software and founder of the Microwindows project, a GUI/windowing solution for embedded systems and devices. In this interview, Haerr relates how he came to be working with embedded Linux, explains why he created Microwindows, offers a brief comparison between Microwindows and alternative embedded GUIs, contemplates the future of Microwindows, and offers his perspective on… (more…)

Foreword: The VTech Helio is no longer sold by VTech, but devices are said to be available second-hand for around USD $100. (more…)

Greg Haerr is CEO of Century Software and founder of the Microwindows project, a GUI/windowing solution for embedded systems and devices. In this interview, Haerr relates how he came to be working with embedded Linux, explains why he created Microwindows, offers a brief comparison between Microwindows and alternative embedded GUIs, contemplates the future of Microwindows, and offers his perspective on… (more…)

This “mini how-to” by Kevin Dankwardt explains how to create a home-made MP3 player appliance based on Embedded Linux. Its embedded software (kernel, utilities, and application) image is small enough to fit on a floppy, so you could easily install it in a DiskOnChip Flash device within a compact, appliance-like system. (more…)

This week, three Korean organizations announced completion of a joint development project which resulted in what is claimed to be “the world's first Embedded Linux smart phone.” The IMT-2000 Linux-enabled CDMA smart phone is the product of a team effort among PalmPalm Technology, SK Telecom, and the Seoul National University that began early this year. (more…)

Foreword: This “mini how-to” by Kevin Dankwardt, of K Computing, explains how to create a home-made MP3 player appliance based on Embedded Linux. Its embedded software (kernel, utilities, and application) image is small enough to fit on a floppy, so you could easily install it in a DiskOnChip Flash device ((more…)

Henry Kingman, senior producer of ZDNet's Linux Resource Center, reports on progress in the world of BSD Unix. Soon, Kingman observes, the “fifth BSD” could put BSD on more computers than run Linux. Kingman writes . . . (more…)

DSPsoft Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA) has unveiled UnixCE, a small footprint “Linux-like” operating system for resource constrained Internet appliances and mobile devices. The company's founder and CEO, Vasant Kanchan, claims the new OS is “the smallest Unix-like kernel that contains a built-in X-Windows compatible API.” Kanchan says UnixCE can run out of just 340KB of RAM on an i386 CPU. (more…)

Writing in Dr. Dobbs Journal, author Jerry Epplin provides an excellent overview of the purpose, history, uniqueness, and current status of a GNU project known as “the Hurd.” The Hurd (not Linux) was developed as part of the GNU project's efforts to replace Unix with an open source equivalent. (more…)

The Memory Technology Device (MTD) Subsystem for Linux project's DiskOnChip (DOC) effort has recently received a large amount of new code for the NFTL [NAND Flash Translation Layer] driver from Fabrice Bellard. According to the project's website, the code now handles bad blocks and properly implements ECC, along with a number of other bug fixes. (more…)

Please note: This article is adapted from John Lombardo's upcoming book, Embedded Linux, which will be published by New Rider's press in 2001. The book describes why embedded system developers should seriously consider using Linux in embedded applications, explains how to go about using the Linux kernel in an embedded design, and examines some of the hardware and software choices that need to… (more…)

Los Angeles, CA — (press release excerpt) — ANT Limited (Cambridge, UK) has announced a development of its mature and proven Fresco embedded browser to run on the Java platform. This new implementation uses the Java Native Interface (JNI) to interface with Java-based Internet devices, enabling ANT to provide OEMs with a small footprint, fully customizable browser for Java environments. (more…)

This “how-to” article by John Lombardo, adapted from his upcoming book on Embedded Linux, explains how to embed Linux and a small application in an M-Systems DiskOnChip solid-state Flash module (without violating the GPL). The article provides a detailed, step-by-step process which can be used to create and test the embedded application. (more…)

Montreal, Quebec — (press release excerpt) — 5NINE today announced the launch of WAPLinux.org, an open source development project for modifying the Linux kernel to fully support the Wireless Application (WAP) protocol and bearers such as the Short Message Service (SMS), Mobitex, and third generation (3G) technologies such as the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). (more…)

Montreal, QUE — (press release excerpt) — Virtual Prototypes Inc., a supplier of software development tools for interactive, real-time graphics systems, today announced the release of compiled libraries for Linux. The compiled libraries allow applications built with the company's VAPS and CCG Lite tools to be deployed on Linux systems. (more…)