Kontron announced a Linux-compatible mini-ITX motherboard based on a 1.6GHz Intel Centrino Atom processor. The KTUS15/miTX targets solar- or battery-powered applications, vehicle PCs, point-of-sale/interest kiosks, medical, multimedia, rugged tablets, industrial automation, and other embedded… (more…)

Via Technologies has announced a third motherboard using its tiny 3.9 x 2.8 inch pico-ITX format. Available with a 1GHz C7 or 500MHz Eden ULV processor, the P700 boasts an onboard DC-DC adapter, and comes with two daughterboards that add real-world I/O connectors. (more…)

NetGear has announced an 802.11g WiFi router and access point made to be hacked. Seemingly created in homage to LinkSys's hacker-friendly “WRT54GL,” the WGR614L offers fairly generous complements of CPU power, RAM, and Flash, and supports several commercial and community-supported alternative Linux-based router… (more…)

[Updated: Jul. 1, 2008] — Purple Labs has acquired Openwave's mobile phone software business. The $30 million deal brings the mobile software firm's cross-platform browser and messaging client technologies to Purple Labs, which is known for its LiMo (Linux Mobile)… (more…)

[Updated Jul. 2] — Motorola has quietly started shipping a new Linux-based “PDA” phone. Available now in China, and also approved by the FCC for use in the U.S., the MotoMing A1600 builds on the popular A1200, long a top-selling smartphone, especially in China. (more…)

STMicroelectronics (STM) and NXP announced a management team for their joint venture (JV) targeting mobile processors. When it launches in the third quarter, ST-NXP Wireless will incorporate both firms' mobile and wireless businesses, which together generated $3 billion in 2007, say the companies. (more…)

IronKey Inc. has announced that its line of encrypted USB storage keys is now available for all major Linux operating systems (OSes). IronKey devices come in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB models, offer military-grade hardware encryption, and do not require driver installation, says the company. (more…)

Calao Systems has started shipping half a dozen expansion modules for its tiny USB key-sized Linux computer. The company has also launched a new low-powered USB computer that runs FreeRTOS, and offers CAN and LIN (local interconnect network) bus expansion. (more…)

Recursion Software is beta testing a cross-platform development environment for Java and Microsoft .NET developers building messaging and communications applications. The Voyager platform helps developers write a single code-set for mobile devices natively in either Java or .NET for “playback” on any supported platform, says Recursion. (more…)

[Updated: Jun. 26, 2008] — The Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum announced that it will fold its standards-development activities and membership into the LiMo Foundation in July. (more…)

CodeSourcery has started shipping a new, more optimized version of its GNU-based toolchain for the MIPS architecture, it says. Sourcery G++ for MIPS now supports all MIPS cores, as well as “non-position independent code,” for a claimed performance boost under Linux. (more…)

Nokia's Symbian purchase and subsequent open source release will put pressure on Linux phone stack vendors and Microsoft alike, writes Andreas Constantinou in a thought-provoking guest editorial. An open source Symbian release, when and if it happens, could even offer a few things Android and LiMo won't, he suggests. (more…)

The Open Group has scheduled its annual Real-time and Embedded Systems (RTES) Forum for July 21-25 at the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago. The group has released a preliminary agenda, with session topics including security, MILS, and “dependability through assuredness.” (more…)

Silex Technology announced a Linux-friendly 802.11a/b/g WiFi module offered in an SDIO card form factor. The SX-SDWAG is aimed at embedded OEM applications that require low power consumption, such as battery-operated devices in the medical, weights and measures, and transportation industries, says Silex. (more…)

[Updated Jun. 26] –Canonical Ltd. has quietly launched a full “developers release” of Ubuntu 8.04 (“Hardy Heron”) for MIDs (mobile Internet devices). Desktop and embedded Linux developers can now begin porting applications to the platform, which will be pre-installed on MIDs by OEMs, Canonical hopes. (more…)