Red Hat netted more money selling subscriptions for embedded products than from retail sales, during its most recent quarter, according to its fourth quarter and annual report for fiscal year 2005, filed today. However, both retail and embedded subscriptions were down, generally, while enterprise subscriptions doubled year-over-year. (more…)

This whitepaper by FSMLabs product manager Matt Sherer looks at “VxIT,” a VxWorks emulation layer that aims to provide developers with a strategy for transitioning VxWorks applications to real-time Linux. In particular, it shows how real-time VxWorks applications running under VxIT can transparently access the Linux filesystem. (more…)

An embedded software startup in Chennai, India, has launched two products targeting Linux-based devices. EmbWise's SDIOWorx is a framework for SD/MMC memory cards and SDIO peripherals, while WiSe-Zeroconf implements the IETF's draft Zeroconf standard — branded “Rendezvous” by Apple — for self-configuring printers, wireless access devices, and other peripherals. (more…)

Device networking specialist Digi International, of Minnetonka, Minn., has acquired a pair of European sister companies, FS Forth-Systeme, of Germany, and Sistemas Embebidos, of Spain. The $4.4M deal brings Digi in-house Linux expertise, and expands its line of modules based on high-integration, system-on-chip (SoC) processors from NetSilicon, another Digi-owned company. (more…)

This article, by veteran Linux trainer Kevin Dankwardt, discusses “volatile,” a relatively unknown ANSI-C type modifier that ensures that the compiler generates code to reload a data item each time it is referenced. Volatile must be used with variables that may be altered asynchronously, (more…)

Foreword — This article, by veteran Linux trainer Kevin Dankwardt, discusses “volatile,” a relatively unknown ANSI-C type modifier that ensures that the compiler generates code to reload a data item each time it is referenced. Volatile must be used with variables that may be altered asynchronously, such as by a signal handler or mapped hardware. (more…)

This article by the program manager of Analog Devices Inc.'s Platform Tools Group discusses the first Linux audio application to run on the Analog Devices Blackfin, which was one of the first DSPs to run Linux. (more…)

SBC (single-board computer) maker Diversifed Technology (DT) says its OEM relationship with MontaVista has enabled it to create, distribute, and support MontaVista Linux Carrier Grade (CG) runtime configurations for an AdvancedTCA blade targeting signal/data plane applications in wireless access/edge, telecom fibre transport, media gateways, soft switches, (more…)

Foreword — This article discusses the first Linux audio application to run on the Analog Devices Blackfin, which was one of the first DSPs to run Linux. The application is a network music player demonstrated by ADI recently at ESC (Embedded Systems Conference). (more…)

[Updated Mar. 29, 2005] — German electronics company Kleinhenz Elektronik will ship in April a network-enabled Linux system barely larger than a standard RJ-45 Ethernet jack. “Picotux” is based on the DigiConnect ME module from Digi International, along with a 2.4.27 uClinux port developed by Kleinhenz. (more…)

Faraday Technology has released a customizable SoC (system-on-chip) in its application-specific “structured ASIC” product family. The PeripheralComposer-1 (PC-1) is based on an ARM processor core, integrates USB and Ethernet, and is supported by a comprehensive set of software and hardware development tools, including Linux, according to the company. (more…)

A project developing a free graphics framework and application stack for Linux-based PDAs has achieved a new stable release. Opie (Open Palmtop Integrated Environment) version 1.2 offers a new package manager, improved interface, key new applications, and support for KDE's next-generation “KitchenSync” among other synchronization protocols. (more…)

IBM has published the following technical articles, tutorials, and downloads on its developerWorks Website. They cover a range of interesting (though not necessarily embedded) technical topics, primarily related to Linux and open source system development. Some require free registration. Enjoy . . . ! (more…)

[Updated Mar. 29,2005] — A Linux device helped legendary independent filmmaker Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi, Desperado, Spy Kids, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and others) win the race with ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) to create the first movie ever to use a digital format (more…)

Win Enterprises has released an EBX form-factor SBC (single-board computer) featuring a 16-lane PCI-Express slot and a stackable HyperTransport connector. The MB-06047 is among the first embedded-oriented SBCs to incorporate AMD's long-life Opteron processor. It supports Linux-based operation. (more…)