IBM will release a Cell simulator before 2006, and “open” the highly parallel multi-core architecture to embedded Linux developers much as it has opened the Power architecture, according to an interview in IT Manager's Journal with Peter Hofstee, architect of the chip's synergistic processing unit (SPU). (more…)

A systems integrator specializing in real-time and mission-critical systems has entered the Linux development tools market. Concurrent is now shipping NightStar, a suite of development and debugging tools aimed at multi-processor, multi-threaded, real-time application and kernel development on Red Hat… (more…)

Kontron is shipping a DIN-rail-mounted PLC (programmable logic
controller) that is based on embedded Linux. The ThinkIO PLC supports up to 64 modular fieldbus I/O clamps from Wago, and runs CoDeSys (controller development system) “soft PLC” software from 3S Software. (more…)

Kontron is shipping a DIN-rail-mounted PLC (programmable logic controller) that runs embedded. The ThinkIO PLC supports up to 64 modular Fieldbus I/O clamps from Wago, and runs CoDeSys (controller development system) “soft PLC” software from 3S Software. (more…)

Palm (formerly PalmOne) lost a bidding war to re-acquire its software spinoff, PalmSource, Business Week reports. Palm was PalmSource's “only significant licensee” for Palm OS, but interest in PalmSource from mobile phone software vendors drove the price too high for Palm, the publication reports. (more…)

No Starch Press is shipping a massive new TCP/IP reference book. The TCP/IP Guide: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Internet Protocols Reference, by Charles Kozierok, weighs in at 1600 pages, has 300 illustrations and 500 tables, and is the first new TCP/IP reference work in some time, No Starch… (more…)

WiFi stack specialist Devicescape Software has promoted its top marketing employee to senior management, and has added a VP of worldwide sales. Glenn Flinchbaugh has led marketing efforts since joining the startup last year. (more…)

The PC/104 Consortium has announced its Fourth Annual Embedded Design Contest seeking to “recognize and honor the innovative work” of embedded developers using various PC/104 technologies. Eligible entries include projects and products based on the group's PC/104, PC/104-Plus, PCI-104, EPIC, or EBX single-board computer standards. (more…)

WinSystems has introduced an EPIC-format SBC (single-board computer) targeting M2M (machine-to-machine) applications. (more…)

Sun Microsystems says MontaVista is porting its Carrier Grade Linux distribution to AMD-based Sun server hardware based on the AdvancedTCA specification. Additionally, MontaVista says Artesyn Communications will sell MontaVista's Carrier Grade Edition (CGE) product directly, pre-installed in Flash memory on PICMG 2.16, AdvancedTCA, AdvancedMC, and ProcessorPMC blades and modules. (more…)

The Free Standards Group (FSG) is touting a major new version of the Linux Standards Base (LSB) approved in July. LSB 3.0 improves POSIX compliance and internationalizability, updates C++ compiler requirements, and adds new interfaces while removing deprecated ones. It is supported by “all major distributors,” the LSB claims. (more…)

A run of 100 Linux-powered humanoid robots goes on sale in Japan Friday, priced at 1.5M Yen (about $14,000), not including 10,000 Yen (~$90) monthly service fees. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries conceived of Wakamuru as a pleasant companion offering a range of electronic-age valet services, it says. (more…)

EmbWise of Chennai, India says its proprietary Linux SDIO stack now supports WiFi cards, in addition to Bluetooth Type A cards. Additionally, the stack has been ported to Sharp's Zaurus SL-C3000 PDA, the company says, to provide an inexpensive platform for SDIO card tests and demonstrations. (more…)

Sysgo will ship a major update to its embedded Linux OS/toolsuite in October. ELinOS 4.0 adds support for a small, safety-certifiable real-time microkernel and virtualization layer aimed at allowing its embedded Linux OS to run alongside POSIX/OSEK applications, legacy OSes, and certified safety-critical applications in military/aerospace applications. (more…)

Sharp Japan has given US-based Linux PDA fans one more reason to wish the dollar could hold its own against the Yen. The newly shipping (in Japan only) SL-C3100 is the second harddrive-equipped Zaurus model, and it also features English-language software aimed at Japanese students. (more…)