IBM claims to have doubled the performance (or halved the power requirements, depending on your point of view) of its top-end processor for servers and mid-range systems. The dual-core “Power6” processor clocks to 4.7GHz, has 8MB of L2 cache, and breaks four widely used Unix performance benchmarks, according to the company. (more…)

A university spin-off company in Spain is readying an inexpensive Zigbee-based “mote” sensor built entirely with open-source hardware and software. Libelium's 120-Euro SquidBee will ship this summer, optionally with a Debian-based WiFi access point that can bridge Zigbee and WiFi mesh networks. (more…)

Freescale is readying a new high-end model in its “MobileGT” family of Linux-friendly telematics SoCs (system-on-chip processors). The MPC5121e is built on 90nm CMOS technology for low power consumption, and integrates a 400MHz PowerPC, 2D/3D graphics core, and programmable media-processing core optimized for real-time… (more…)

Data security and storage specialist SiliconSystems has introduced an SDK (software development kit) for its suite of hard drive and flash storage security products. The “SiliconDrive Secure” SDK targets developers of data recorders, wearable/field computers, medical equipment, POS systems, and voting machines. (more…)

Croatia-based Uniqall has added more efficient codec utilization and a better web interface to its flagship “host media processing” (HMP) software for VoIP (voice over IP) applications. “Gridborg HMP Server” eliminates the need for traditional DSP (digital signal processor) telephony boards, simplifying VoIP products and services, the company claims. (more…)

Sales of unconnected handheld devices continue to plummet as users show increased interest in converged mobile devices and other consumer electronics products, according to the latest quarterly report from IDC. Underscoring the dismal market outlook, leading vendor Dell is exiting the market. (more…)

Acme Systems has introduced a tiny Linux-based gateway that connects cellular SMS (simple message service) and TCP/IP networks. The SMS FoxBox integrates a quad-band GSM modem, offers web, email (smtp/pop3), and mysql interfaces, and supports local message storage through removable flash storage. (more…)

Standards-based wireless USB (WUSB) hubs and dongles will reach market by mid-year, with WUSB-enabled PCs, printers, cameras, and other peripherals arriving before 2008, according to In-Stat. The firm's annual report on the USB market suggests that combined, wired and wireless USB-enabled device shipments will grow at double-digit rates through 2011. (more…)

Using thin clients instead of conventional PCs would lower energy consumption by 51 percent and reduce CO2 emissions, concludes a recent study by the Fraunhofer Institute. The study, whose results were announced today by Igel Technology, compared thin clients manufactured by Igel to conventional business PCs. (more…)

Mizi Research has updated its graphical user interface framework for consumer electronic devices like mobile phones. Prizm 3.0 has switched to Python as its main application programming language, and has gained modern visual effects such as “dragging, sliding, fading and accelerated smart scrolling,”… (more…)

Actiontec Electronics has released its next-generation powerline networking kit based on the HomePlug AV standard for distributing large multimedia and data files around the home without Ethernet cabling. (more…)

The Damn Small Linux (DSL) project has introduced a tiny PC based on a custom passively cooled nano-ITX board. The “Damn Small Machine” (DSM) is powered by an 800MHz Via Eden processor, and could well be the first complete, off-the-shelf nano-ITX based system. (more…)

MontaVista Software announced today that its commercial Linux OS has shipped in 35 million mobile devices, including 15 million last year. Additionally, it said it ranked fourth overall among mobile operating system providers in terms of revenue, according to figures compiled by Venture Development Corp. (VDC). (more…)

[Updated May 18, 2007] — Real-time virtualization specialist VirtualLogix (formerly Jaluna) has opened a Tokyo office. The company expects its flagship VLX processor virtualization technology to help Japanese device makers “run multiple OSes simultaneously on single or multi-core processors, while maintaining hard real-time and high throughput requirements.”

VirtualLogix said… (more…)

Fujitsu is sampling a new ARM9-based SoC (system-on-chip) with built-in graphics controller aimed at the sophisticated 2D and 3D graphics requirements of embedded automotive applications. The MB86R01 “Jade” integrates an enhanced version of the company's Coral PA graphics processor, and supports Linux and several other embedded OSes, the company said. (more…)