The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) and Free Standard Group (FSG) merged on Jan. 21, creating the Linux Foundation, a single entity aiming to take responsibility for Linux standardization, promotion, and protection. (more…)

The assets associated with AMD's low-cost Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) have been acquired by Data Evolution Holdings, whose subsidiary manufactures a line of Windows CE-based notebook computers. (more…)

IBM has published the following new technical articles, tutorials, and downloads on its DeveloperWorks and AlphaWorks 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…)

Devicescape has released the first stable version of its automatic WiFi connection utility for mobile devices. The “Devicescape 1.0” client automatically logs in devices — even devices without browsers, such as VoIP phones — at thousands of free and commercial WiFi hotspot locations, the company says. (more…)

Via Technologies is shipping a new mobile graphics processor chipset targeting notebook and ultra-mobile PCs. The VN896 chipset integrates 3D and 2D accelerators, offers “unsurpassed visual clarity,” and supports modern Intel processors ranging from the Celeron M to Core 2 Duo, as well as Via's C7. (more…)

Evalue Technology is shipping a tiny Via-based embedded PC featuring two gig-E ports on a PCI Express (PCIe) bus. The passively cooled EPC-3711 is based on a 3.5-inch (nominal) board powered by a 1GHz “V4” Eden processor. (more…)

The first Mobile Internet World Conference & Exposition will be held Nov. 13-15 in Boston. The new conference will focus on how evolving wireless and mobile broadband technologies are now enabling the next major wave of the Internet — the “mobile Internet” — according to event organizer Trendsmedia. (more…)

Foreword — The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) and Free Standard Group (FSG) merged on Jan. 21, creating the Linux Foundation, a single entity aiming to take responsibility for Linux standardization, promotion, and protection. (more…)

Via is readying a media-oriented motherboard in what could be the next popular size for small form-factor PCs: Pico-ITX. The “Epia PX” board measures 3.9 x 2.8 inches and features a 1GHz C7 processor, along with rich audio/video I/O, albeit mostly on pin headers. (more…)

The OSDL's Desktop Linux Working Group has published a detailed “state of the desktop” report that chronicles an impressive number of significant developments during 2006. The report was based in part on 2,600 responses to the OSDL's 2006 Linux Desktop Client Survey, the results of which are also now available. (more…)

Things may be smoothing out for the much-embattled 802.11n wireless standard. IEEE committee members unanimously approved draft standard version 1.10 and laid the groundwork for draft 2.0 at a meeting in London last week, paving the way for WiFi Alliance compatibility specifications, and a wave of product announcements. (more…)

The operating system formerly known as Palm OS has become “Garnet OS,” according to the company formerly known as PalmSource. Access Systems Americas says it has officially finished the process of changing its name, and has begun the process of renaming products with Palm-based names. (more…)

Six of the world's largest telecommunications companies have officially launched a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a common mobile Linux software platform. Founded by Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics, and Vodafone, the LiMo Foundation is inviting membership and participation from application and middleware developers. (more…)

Chipmaker Renesas Technology Corp. has invested in wireless LAN chipset vendor Key Stream Corporation (KSC). Additionally, the companies plan to collaborate on product integration, WiFi-enabled “single-chip” system-on-chip (SoC) designs, and the development of next-generation wireless standards. (more…)

Levanta (formerly LinuxCare) is shipping a second-generation “Linux management appliance.” The Intrepid X aims to help system administrators maintain highly available, highly reliable computing centers, by helping them rapidly provision, recover, roll back, or migrate Linux systems across physical and/or… (more…)