[Updated Jul. 20, 2005] — Embedded Linux powered 14 percent of smartphones shipped worldwide in Q1 of 2005, up 412 percent from 3.4 percent in Q1-04, according to Gartner. Windows Mobile Smartphone shipments also grew, rising 50 percent from a 2.9 share in 1Q-04 to 4.5 (more…)

Last week, LinuxDevices.com profiled the Aeronix Zipit, a $99 instant messaging device marketed to teenagers, but appropriated by Linux hackers for a variety of embedded projects. Today, we're pleased to offer a followup conversation with Ralph Heredia, who conceived and led the creation of the Zipit. (more…)

NASA has reportedly contracted the University of Queensland, Australia, to collaborate on a modified version of Linux for use in the Agency's $18M Reconfigurable Scalable Computing (RSC) project. The project aims to increase the speed and flexibility of computers used in planetary rovers, mining vehicles, cameras, and sensors. (more…)

Infrant Technologies is shipping an updated embedded Linux operating system for its network-attached storage (NAS) appliances, boards, and chips. RAIDiator OS 2.0 adds streaming media features, a backup manager, USB storage device support, secure remote ftp and smtp, and automatic firmware download and update. (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…)

European revenues from mobile location-based services (LBS) will more than double in 2005, according to telecommunications industry research firm Berg Insight. The firm projects that LBS will grow 153 percent this year, to 274 million Euros, with annual growth rates of 84 percent over the next five years. (more…)

WiMAX overlaps cellular technology significantly, and every cellular operator will have to consider WiMAX, says ABI Research in a report released today. Carrier WiMAX initiatives will disrupt the entire carrier ecosystem, including infrastructure and access device makers, phone vendors, and even chip makers, the ABI report suggests. (more…)

Denx Software Engineering has announced that its embedded Linux tools and OS are available for a general-purpose PowerPC SoC from AMCC. Embedded Linux Development Kit (ELDK) includes a graphical configuration manager, free real-time extensions, cross-development tools, and more, and is bundled with AMCC's Linux evaluation kit for the 440EP. (more…)

LynuxWorks is shipping a version of its embedded Linux OS tailored to a PowerPC SoC from AMCC targeting imaging, telematics, and industrial control. BlueCat Linux for the PowerPC 440EP is available with a range of Linux development tools, and an evaluation version is bundled with AMCC's 440EP Linux development kit. (more…)

O'Reilly has published a new perl book about coding style. Perl Best Practices covers code layout, naming conventions, choosing data and control structures, and more, and can help novices and experts alike write better code, says author Damian Conway. (more…)

Aeronix used Linux to build a $99 instant messenger appliance aimed at kids. Naturally, hackers soon took an interest in expanding the device's functionality. The Zipit includes an 802.11b/g WiFi radio, 16-color greyscale LCD with QVGA (320×240) resolution, and a thumb keyboard with rubber buttons. (more…)

Kontron is shipping improved versions of two of its ETX form-factor single-board computers (SBCs). The company has boosted the performance of both its Celeron-based ETX-P3T and its Celeron ULV-based ETX-P3Tx, while maintaining “reasonable” power consumption levels of under 10W, it says. (more…)

Axiomtek claims that its new Panel PC is the first such device to combine a high-resolution 17-inch LCD screen with an embedded RAID subsystem. The PANEL1170-800 is based on an Intel Pentium 4 and 852GM chipset, and it supports Linux, among other OSes. (more…)

A Sun Linux thin client could reinvigorate network computing, reports Sean Gallagher in a hands-on review at Channel Insider. Gallagher says the Sun Ray 170 competes with Windows desktops in browser, email, word processing, and spreadsheets, outshining it in applications with mobile workers, such as retail. (more…)

The year 2006 will bring great strides for Linux, but no great revelations, predicts Oliver Kaven, who ponders Linux's potential in a PC Magazine feature article. While nodding to Linux's well-accepted success in the server space, Kaven concludes that embedded Linux will quietly achieve corporate acceptance, (more…)