Intel's x86-based SoC (system-on-chip) processor roadmap may be much broader than originally thought, judging by a presentation by Intel Embedded GM Doug Davis at the Embedded Systems Conference this week. Additionally, Intel has shipped its first quad-core processors for embedded applications, and announced an 8-core server platform due in July. (more…)

The low-cost computing appliance formerly known as the AMD PIC (“personal Internet computer”) may be found running Linux, at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) this week. (more…)

Silicon vendor AMCC is readying an inexpensive evaluation kit for its PowerPC 405EZ processor, which targets networked industrial computing devices. The 405EZ Kit includes a 7 x 7-inch “Acadia” board pre-installed with a 2.6-based Denx embedded Linux implementation, along with tools, board schematics, sample programs, and benchmarks. (more…)

More than 300 exhibitors and over 10,000 engineers in all are expected to be present at the 19th annual Embedded Systems Conference being held this week in San Jose, Calif.'s McEnery Convention Center. The keynoter for the conference was former Vice President Al Gore. (more…)

Silicon vendor Renesas Technology's U.S. subsidiary today announced Linux support for four 32-bit RISC chips. The support comprises Linux BSPs (board support packages), network stacks, and “Linux system integration” software packages, and targets developers of mobile devices, industrial control, and automation applications. (more…)

Former Vice President Al Gore told Embedded Systems Conference keynote attendees in San Jose, Calif. today that energy-efficient IT systems of the future — many containing embedded processors — will be a major factor in helping overcome the climate problems the Earth is now facing. (more…)

Ampro Computers claims to be shipping the first CPU module to surpass a 1 GHz processor speed without violating the standard PCI-104 form-factor. This achievement required an update to the company's earlier CoreModule 800 design, using a Celeron M 373 processor and a double-thickness PC board, Ampro said. (more…)

[Updated Apr. 5] — The Eclipse Foundation has announced its next “comprehensive codebase” release, scheduled for this June. The “Europa” release promises a major new 4.0 version of the venerable C/C++ Development Tool (CDT) editor, along with new iterations and debuts of several exciting Device Software Development Platform (DSDP) projects. (more…)

Bangalore-based Mistral Software is shipping a Linux-based development kit for TI's ARM11-based SoC (system-on-chip). The OMAP2430 Starter Kit (OSK) targets wireless application development, and includes a 2.6.19 kernel, open-source bootloader, JFFS2 filesystem, and NFS-mounted root… (more…)

Linux will ship in more than 200 million phones in 2012, up from 8.1 million in 2007, forecasts a new report from ABI. “The industry as a whole is rallying behind Linux,” even while acknowledging that significant barriers to widespread Linux adoption still exist, the market research firm suggests. (more…)

Icron Technologies claims to have created the industry's first wireless USB 2.0 hub based on the 802.11g WiFi standard. The WiRanger 4-port hub-and-dongle set brings seamless plug-and-play connectivity to multiple USB devices up to 30 meters away, including printers, scanners, hard drives, and MP3 players, according to the… (more…)

AMD has launched its first chipsets with integrated graphics processors (IGPs) since acquiring graphics chip vendor ATI last October. The 690G and the 690V have ATI Radeon x1250 IGPs, and target thin clients, POS (point-of-sales/service) devices, gaming devices, and SBCs (single-board computers), the chipmaker reportedly said. (more…)

The COM Express computer-on-module specification gained a high-profile advocate at the Embedded Systems Conference this week, as Ampro unveiled its first module compatible with the format. The COM 830 supports single- and dual-core processors and is available with support for Linux 2.6, among other embedded OSes. (more…)

Trek Aerospace used Debian Linux and open-source flight control software to build an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The Oviwun weighs about six pounds, fits in a backpack, and includes a GPS system that enables autonomous flight and position control. (more…)

Macraigor has added support for several ARM and PowerPC-based embedded processors to its inexpensive hardware-assisted debugging tools. When used with Macraigor's “OCDemon” hardware, the tools now supports Luminary Micro SoCs based on ARM Cortex-M3 cores, Freescale MPC83xx PowerQUICC II, AMD Geode GX/LX, and Marvel… (more…)