A pair of U.S. universities are sponsoring a one-day conference on mobile device technology next month. Sponsored by Cal Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon, “The Mobile Future” will feature embedded and telecom industry leaders speaking individually and on panels about mobile device business, technology, and globalization, among other topics. (more…)

Mobile operators will net $300 billion in “extra” revenue over the next five years by deploying IMS (IP multimedia subsystems), according to a new report from ABI. The market research firm says telecom infrastructure equipment providers will also profit from IMS, suggesting opportunity for Carrier Grade Linux providers as well. (more…)

KwikByte is shipping its smallest, lowest-cost single-board computer (SBC) yet. Designed for general purpose computing, embedded controls, machine vision, remote monitoring, and database/web servers, the Debian-based KB9260 measures a wee 3.1 x 3.1 inches and costs only $80 in volume. (more…)

The Linux Foundation announced the speakers and agenda for its invitation-only second annual Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit. Held on April 8-10 in Austin, Texas, the summit features a few embedded panels, along with various presentations related to kernel and desktop/enterprise topics. (more…)

Virginia-based startup 4DK Technologies has used Linux and high-availability middleware to build a “mash-up platform” for wireless carriers offering IP-based services. The “SuperConnectivity” service includes a “Scamp” middleware stack for mobile devices, along with a “Scout” service application built on MontaVista Linux Carrier Grade Edition (CGE) and Enea's Accelerator Platform. (more…)

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms announced a Linux-compatible AdvancedMC (AMC) module that combines a Gigabit storage controller with a SCSI hard drive. The Telum 210 AdvancedMC provides 73GB or 146GB of SAS (serial-attached storage) for blade servers, network and telephony routers, and video streaming or surveillance… (more…)

Enea has updated its high-availability middleware for heterogeneous telecom environments that mix Linux with its own OSE and OSEck RTOSes. Element 3.0 boasts a “full” implementation of the Service Availability Forum's (SAForum's) Availability Management Framework (AMF), along with “in-service upgrades” and optional DSP… (more…)

Futronic has announced an FBI-approved fingerprint scanner claimed capable of distinguishing live human fingers from dead and fake fingers. The FS88 emits a “special signal” that, in conjunction with a sensor and an algorithm, can reportedly differentiate living finger “signatures” from those of other materials. (more…)

Trolltech has renamed its embedded GUI stack and development framework, and is boasting of a design win in the multimedia streamer space. Qt for Embedded Linux, formerly Qtopia Core, formerly Qt/Embedded, was used by Roku Labs in an as-yet unannounced Internet streaming media player, according to Trolltech. (more…)

Twenty-five notebook models based on Intel's Atom processor will ship by mid-year, an Intel executive reportedly told a PC World reporter. The Atom-based notebooks will cost $250 to $300, sport 7-10 inch displays, and run either Linux or Windows XP, the executive reportedly… (more…)

VXL Instruments has introduced an “entry-level” thin client device that runs Linux. The Itona TC 2331-LI operates fanlessly, uses a 1GHz Via C7 processor, supports touchscreen monitors with up to 1680 x 1050 resolution, and uses only 11 watts of power, says VXL. (more…)

Firmware company General Software announced that it is selling customized, quick-booting versions of its Linux-compatible BIOS firmware to the medical device industry. The company says its “Embedded BIOS with StrongFrame Technology” can boot to lilo (Linux loader) in less than a second. (more…)

British research group Visiongain says it has released a report on Android, the Google-backed Open Handset Alliance's (OHA) Linux- and Java-based mobile phone specification. The report appears to include lots of background on Linux and the market for embedded Linux OSes, tools, and services. (more…)

Igel has released an update to its remote management software for coordinating its Linux-compatible thin clients. Igel's Remote Management Suite (RMS) 2.07 is said to offer easier installation via a new Java database, as well as enhanced Microsoft Active Directory support. (more…)

After overestimating the early market for ultra-wideband (UWB) in 2006, ABI Research now says the short-range wireless networking technology is finally ready for take-off. Shipments of UWB in laptops, periphals, consumer electronics devices, and eventually mobile handsets will reach 400 million by 2013, forecasts ABI. (more…)