[Updated Sep. 2, 2004] — The latest embedded market research data from Venture Development Corp. shows that Linux is now firmly in first place as the operating system of choice for smart gadgets and embedded systems. VDC's latest data indicates that Linux now accounts for 15.5 percent of embedded projects, beating out Microsoft's WinCE/WinCE.Net (2.7 + 3.3 = 6 percent) and XPe (5 percent), and… (more…)

DVI (digital visual interface) is gaining popularity in the PC market, but the newer HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) standard will find even greater success in the consumer electronics (CE) market, according to In-Stat/MDR. (more…)

BusinessWeek's “European Business” department has written about Linux's prospects in the mobile phone market, where it says Linux interest remains steadfast despite slow progress. High power consumption and unsophisticated software hold Linux behind Symbian and Windows Mobile, the article says, yet potential cost savings have galvanized industry interest in Linux. (more…)

Das U-Boot is an open source bootloader available for a wide range of embedded processor architectures. This article by embedded hacker Curt Brune introduces bootloader concepts, traces the origins of Das U-Boot, and offers technical details and tips on using Das U-Boot in embedded Linux devices. (more…)

Amino Communications expects to ship in October a tiny IP-STB (Internet-protocol set-top box) with built-in PVR (personal video recorder) capabilities. The AmiNet500 runs embedded Linux, and can record 40 hours of content. (more…)

RF Micro Devices has announced a Bluetooth system-on-chip (SoC) supporting Bluetooth's Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) capabilities, said to provide up to three times faster throughput than current Bluetooth 1.2 devices. The highly integrated, ARM7-based SiW4000 SoC targets 2.5G and 3G handsets. (more…)

Thin-client vendor Neoware ranked eighth in Fortune Magazine's 100 fastest growing US companies list, published in the September issue. The list is based on performance over the previous three years. (more…)

Xybernaut is offering Linux-based implementations for one of its mobile computing devices. The Atigo T is based on a Transmeta Crusoe processor, and targets enterprises and facilities with mobile workers. (more…)

In-Stat/MDR reports that the worldwide IP/DSL set-top box (STB) market is expected to grow to over seven million units and more than $700 million revenue by 2008. Despite the segment's rosy outlook, 2003 was the first year any IP/DSL STB maker shipped over 100,000 units in a single year. (more…)

VIA has launched an updated version of the Xine media player that supports hardware acceleration engines in two of its northbridge chips. VIA enhanced Xine Player (VeXP) version 3.0 supports hardware-based MPEG-2 decoding in VIA's CLE266, and MPEG-2 and -4 decoding in VIA's newer CN400. (more…)

A semiconductor supplier specializing in broadband and storage systems will hold a Webinar on embedded Linux next week. PMC-Sierra support lead for 64-bit cores Adam Kiepul will present the webinar, which targets design, system, hardware, and integration engineers. (more…)

MontaVista Software will open a United Kingdom office in Bracknell, Berkshire, located about 30 miles to the WSW of London. The office will market and support all MontaVista products, including Professional, Consumer Electronics, and Carrier Grade Linux Editions. (more…)

Foreword: Das U-Boot is an open source bootloader available for a wide range of embedded processor architectures. This article gently introduces bootloader concepts, traces the origins of Das U-Boot, and offers technical details and tips on using Das U-Boot in embedded Linux devices. (more…)

LinuxDevices presents this informative interview with Roger Kung, Chairman and CEO of E28, a Linux smartphone startup in Shanghai, China. E28 was the first company to ship a Linux smartphone, and could unveil a Linux smartphone for the US as early as the Boston LinuxWorld Expo. (more…)

The Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC) is soliciting three papers for a session at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC), March 6-10, 2005 in San Francisco. The 90-minute “Design Guidance” session will be moderated by Dr. Kevin Dankwardt of K Computing, and will discuss using Linux in consumer products and systems. (more…)