Venture Development Corp. (VDC) recently attended the 2007 Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, Calif. This guest column from VDC's “Embedded Systems Bulletin — April 2007” presents a summary of the event. (more…)

Sun Microsystems announced today that it is acquiring the assets of SavaJe Technologies and will reveal further details at its JavaOne conference next month. SavaJe's claim to fame is its Java-based embedded operating system, which was shown running in a mobile phone at JavaOne last May. (more…)

Eleven large, influential European companies are backing a mobile TV implementation they say could “speed up large scale mobile TV deployments in Europe.” The Broadcast Mobile Convergence (BMCo) Forum's implementation profile of OMA BCAST requirements enables fast, interoperable, future-proof implementations, the Nokia-led group says. (more…)

SSV has begun shipping a smaller model in its line of low-powered “all-in-one” panel PCs aimed at rugged computing and industrial applications. The TRM/416 measures 6.2 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches (158 x 100mm), and runs embedded Linux or DOS. (more…)

A small, ARM-based Linux server appliance has received a glowing review, to say the least, over at Linux.com. Excito's “Bubba” server makes running and managing a home server easy and fun, according to reviewer Joe Barr. (more…)

MontaVista founder James Ready will present a series of free (with registration) Webinars for embedded software developers. The initial session discusses how Linux and Eclipse have improved developer efficiency and “revolutionized the industry,” and will be timed for European, U.S., and… (more…)

Unicon Systems has started shipping its Linux-powered development kit based on “chip-on-film” technology similar to that used in Motorola's ultra-thin “Razr” phones. The “MKit” design includes an application-ready Linux OS and tools, and targets consumer devices such as portable media players, PDAs, and UMPCs (ultra-mobile… (more…)

TabletKiosk will ship in mid-April what may be the first “UMPC” (ultra-mobile PC) available in single units with Linux pre-installed. The “eo TufTab v7112XT” is a ruggedized tablet with a 1.2GHz Via C7-M processor, 40GB harddrive, and the option of OpenSUSE 10.2 pre-installed. (more…)

This article by Elphel Inc. founder Andrey Filippov describes the company's latest series of intelligent, network-enabled cameras based on open-source hardware and Linux-based software, and the underlying design philosophies. (more…)

What do we mean by “embedded”? Doug Gaff, an engineering manager at Wind River, pondered that question as he wandered the aisles at last week's Embedded Systems Conference. It was like “taking a walk down memory lane,” says Gaff, and yet “something didn't feel right.” (more…)

Three embedded hardware vendors have launched an initiative aimed at improving interoperability among COM Express modules and carrier boards. Adlink, Ampro, and Congatec invite other module vendors and system integrators to join their “COM Express PNP” (plug-and-play) initiative, which has already published extensive documentation, including a free implementation guide. (more…)

Foreword: In this guest column, Doug Gaff gives his take on last week's Embedded Systems Conference and ponders the future of the industry. What does “embedded” mean? As processors become more powerful and embedded devices are increasingly interconnected, Gaff contends that the distinction between “embedded” and “application” development is blurring. (more…)

Foreword: This article describes the products and product design philosophies of a small Utah-based company offering high-quality, intelligent, network-enabled cameras based on open source hardware and software. Elphel hopes its newest modular camera design will attract Linux software and FPGA engineers interested in exploring high-definition videography, among other innovative applications. (more…)

Palm, best known for Treo smartphones powered by Palm OS and Windows Mobile, is likely to ship Linux phones this year, confirmed CEO Ed Colligan today at Palm's “Analyst and Investor Day.” Palm's Linux platform will add reliability, performance, and stability to Palm's smartphones, Colligan said. (more…)

The non-profit group defining the over-the-air (OTA) digital TV tuner standard now mandatory for U.S. TVs has announced plans for a “mobile/handheld” standard. The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) hopes its ATSC-M/H (mobile/handheld) standard will help broadcasters deliver video and data content to handheld devices, laptop computers, and fast-moving vehicles. (more…)