Foreword: Trolltech's Linux/Qtopia-powered Greenphone aims to provide a real (rather than emulated) hardware platform for mobile phone application developers to test their applications on. This hands-on review takes an in-depth look at the phone's software environment, and at the development tools supplied with the… (more…)

The embedded and kernel development track at a leading European technical conference is calling for papers. The 2007 edition of FOSDEM (Free and Open Source Developer's European Meeting), set for Feb. 24-25 in Brussels, offers a forum for embedded developer and team achievements, organizers say. (more…)

A newly published book includes a chapter about installing Linux on iRobot's “Roomba” robotic vacuum cleaner. Hacking Roomba, by Tod E. Kurt, includes a variety of fun robotic hacks and projects, none of which will void the device's warranty or prevent its operation as a vacuum, according to the… (more…)

PMC-Sierra is sampling a family of Linux-based residential gateway designs that support next-generation broadband network protocols such as ADSL2+, VDSL2, EPON (Ethernet passive optical networking), and fiber-to-the-home/curb. The designs are based on the company's MSP7100 “multi-service processor,” and target “triple-play” (voice-video-data) service delivery. (more…)

3Dlabs is demonstrating 3D GPS navigation applications on its newly unveiled media processor for mobile devices, at the Navigation USA tradeshow this week in San Jose, Calif. (more…)

Esmertec says its pre-integrated mobile phone application suite was selected by a design firm in China for a Linux handset that will ship in Europe and China before year's end. Yuhua TelTech's Linux-based handset will use Esmertec's Jbed Java virtual machine (JVM) and “[email protected]” application suite. (more…)

[Updated 4 P.M.] — As predicted last month, MontaVista has attracted $21 million in new funding, in a round led by Siemens Venture Capital. The embedded and mobile Linux specialist will use the funds to build cash reserves, expand its product portfolio, and “attract talent,” it says. (more…)

Kontron has introduced a new series of industrial panel PCs based on its COM Express technology. (more…)

deCarta has announced a software development kit (SDK) intended to ease the process of building customized and differentiated navigation applications. The Navigation Software Developer Kit (SDK) builds on the company's Rich Map Engine, the same technology used by service providers such as Google and Yahoo!, according to the… (more…)

Hong Kong based systems integrator Quataris has updated its all-in-one Pentium 4 based analog TV/PC design. The new Ottimo model, which features an innovative mechanical design, supports processors up to 2.8GHz, comes with 15-, 17-, or 19-inch screens, and is available pre-installed with SUSE Linux. (more…)

Technologic reports that its fast-booting ARM-based SBCs (single-board computers) are now available with a Linux-based bootloader capable of launching an alternate kernel or executive. (more…)

Infrant is shipping a pair of network-attached storage (NAS) devices that run Linux and target low-power, high-density storage applications. The ReadyNAS 1100 has a rackmount design, while the ReadyNAS NV+ features an extremely shallow pedestal form-factor. (more…)

The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL), the self-proclaimed “center of gravity” of Linux, is re-aligning priorities and changing leadership. CEO Stuart Cohen has departed, and various personnel have been laid off, but the organization continues to offer “safe haven” for Linus Torvalds and other key developers, among other stated priorities. (more…)

[Updated Nov. 3, 2008] — Tensilica is shipping two new processor core families based on its “post-RISC” style Xtensa architecture. The LX2 and Xtensa 7 cores are available with MontaVista Linux, and come with tools aimed at helping designers configure interfaces, memory subsystems, and other components, and even extend the architecture with C/C++ application-specific instructions. (more…)

Wind River on Dec. 15 will ship a new version of its Eclipse-based development toolsuite that will, for the first time, be available as a set of plugins, greatly increasing deployment flexibility. Workbench 2.6 also features new test and analysis tools, a sophisticated patch manager for Linux, and online documentation. (more…)