March and April have been busy months for Nokia and its Maemo open source software project. The results include new firmware releases for Nokia's Linux-based 770 and N800 Internet tablets, along with a much-improved Maemo.org website and new software roadmap. (more…)

TimeSys proudly said its online service has become the “first commercial embedded Linux offering” to support the 2.6.21 Linux kernel, notable for important real-time enhancements. One primary author of the new kernel's real-time capabilities is Thomas Gleixner (photo), whom TimeSys sponsors. (more…)

Linux/Java has topped CEO Ed Zander's list of things to look for from Motorola as it attempts a financial turnaround. At a New York press conference this morning, Zander introduced Linux-based “Rokr” and “Razr2” models, along with new top-level executives. (more…)

Following its acquisition of real-time Linux technology from FSMLabs last month, Wind River has announced a “strategic partnership” with former FSMLabs partner Curtiss-Wright. Curtiss-Wright will use Wind River's “General Purpose Platform” and “Real-time Core” as the standard Linux operating environment for its x86-based board-level computers targeting aerospace and defense applications. (more…)

Parisian startup Linutop has started shipping a compact, Linux-based computing appliance said to draw less than six Watts. Linutop's “Linutop” can serve as a standalone PC or Linux terminal, and targets web surfing kiosks in libraries, schools, offices, hotels, hospitals, Internet cafes, and family rooms. (more…)

QuickLogic has started shipping an inexpensive memory controller design aimed at helping developers build devices that boot from NAND flash. The “Boot from Managed NAND” controller initially supports booting Linux or Windows CE, obviating the need for a separate NOR flash boot device, the company said. (more…)

A vendor of full-system simulation tools for embedded software development has hired a senior marketing official. Michel Genard will serve as VP of marketing at Virtutech, a supplier of “full-system simulation” products for embedded software development. (more…)

Network equipment provider (NEP) Performance Technologies has introduced a 24-port embedded Ethernet switch implemented in PICMG 2.16 format, along with a POSIX-compliant Carrier Grade Linux distribution. (more…)

Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith has fanned the lingering embers of Microsoft's three-year-old effort to spread software patent litigation fears among the open source community. In an interview with Fortune, Smith claimed the Linux kernel violates 42 Microsoft patents, while popular Linux components run foul of another 193. (more…)

Taiwanese board vendor Axiomtek has introduced a mini-ITX board supporting Socket M processors like Intel's Core 2 Duo. The SBC86831 runs Linux, has an x16 PCIe slot and dual gigE ports, and targets DSA (digital signage appliances), DVR (digital video recorder), gaming devices, and “transaction terminals.”

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Strategic Test has updated the Linux drivers it maintains for three test and measurement product lines. The drivers are freely downloadable in binary form for popular 32- and 64-bit distributions, and also available on request in source code format. (more…)

Moxa has introduced a single-channel full-motion MPEG-4/MJPEG industrial video encoder peripheral that works with distributed surveillance systems running Linux or Windows. The VPort 351 can provide full D1-resolution video at 30fps, and features 2-way audio and event trigger functions, the company said. (more…)

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

A three-person engineering company in County Dublin, Ireland is offering expansion board design services for a tiny, gumstick-shaped SBC (single-board computer). At 3.2 x 0.8 x 0.3 inches, Gumstix boards are among the smallest Linux-friendly SBC form-factors available. (more…)

TimeSys says its suite of online services for embedded Linux developers now offers the first processor-optimized Linux packages and components for Intel's new IXP435, an XScale-based SoC (system-on-chip) aimed at multi-service residential gateways. TimeSys's LinuxLink service previously supported Intel's IXP425 and IXP465 NPUs (network processing units). (more…)