Skyhook Wireless has ported its SDK (software development kit) for “hybrid” geo-positioning to the Google-sponsored, Linux-based Android mobile-device stack. The company claims its “XPS” kit can provide “iPhone-quality” fixes within a second or two — much faster than Android's firmware… (more…)

Enea announced the availability of a new version of its lightweight, Linux-ready Polyhedra SQL RDBMS (relational database management system). Polyhedra 8.1 adds MIPS support for Linux, as well as improvements to “active query” and “historian” features aimed at process control and industrial automation applications. (more…)

[Updated: 12:30PM] — Timesys has launched a version of its LinuxLink embedded Linux development subscription service that offers a new build engine and web-services-based automation. LinuxLink 3.0 features a new interface and Toolkit, and formally implements the “Factory” and “ReadyKit” programs that were launched last year, says Timesys. (more…)

ITTIA announced the availability of its DB-SQL lightweight, Linux-compatible SQL R-DBMS (relational database management system) for Freescale's ARM-based i.MX family of system-on-chips (SoCs). DB-SQL can support embedded-systems database functionality on i.MX-based devices including PDAs, portable media players, and industrial measurement systems, says the company. (more…)

Pegasus Imaging Corp. announced the acquisition of Tasman Software of Leeds, U.K., bringing Tasman's Linux-compatible, Java/JavaME mobile Barcode Reader software development kit (SDK) into Pegasus's Windows-focused document imaging portfolio. The acquisition follows Pegasus's purchase of another cross-platform imaging firm, Accusoft, in December. (more…)

Intel has leaked details of a new Atom processor and chipset, aimed squarely at the hot netbook market. The new 1.66GHz N280 will be accompanied by a northbridge/southbridge known as the GN40, possibly combined into one chip in order to extend battery life. (more…)

A Linux-powered robot project has won the first monthly design contest sponsored by “BeagleBoard.org,” a group promoting a low-cost, Linux-friendly single board computer (SBC) with an ARM Cortex-A8-based processor. (more…)

Qt Software (formerly Trolltech) will add an LGPL licensing option for Qt 4.5, due to ship in March. Together with a new policy of opening Qt source code repositories to the public, the more permissive license option should increase the cross-platform GUI application framework's popularity, says the company. (more…)

Icop announced a PC/104 computer module based on a 32-bit, 800MHz x86-compatible SoC (system on chip) that is claimed to run Linux on under two Watts. The “VDX-6354” has 256MB of RAM, 4GB of flash, 10/100 Ethernet, audio, and an onboard VGA controller, says Icop. (more…)

M2M Solution announced a security gateway reference design based on the Texas Instruments (TI) OMAP3503 system-on-chip (SoC). The Homebox runs Linux, enables remote monitoring of real-time video and security sensors, and will soon be sold by MYXYTY under the name MyHome, says M2M. (more…)

Freescale Semiconductor is shipping a product development kit (PDK) for its ARM9-based i.MX27 system-on-chip (SoC). The kit includes a CPU module, a “Personality” (peripherals) module, a debugging device, and board support packages (BSPs) for either Linux or Windows CE, says the company. (more…)

Cisco's Linksys division is shipping a networked home audio distribution system that runs Linux and uses 802.11n WiFi. The Cisco Wireless Home Audio system supports Internet radio and DLNA discovery, and includes a variety of receivers, speakers, players, iPOD docks, and a tablet-like touchscreen remote. (more…)

The struggling automotive industry needs to embrace open software platforms if it wants to cash in on the growing automotive telematics and infotainment business, says an ABI Research white paper. (more…)

[Updated: Jan. 13, 2009] — Cisco's Linksys division announced a media-savvy NAS (network-attached storage) device that offers DLNA network discovery and streaming support, and runs Linux. (more…)

[Updated: Jan 15, 2009] — Chumby demonstrated a WiFi-enabled digital photo frame (DPF) reference design developed with Marvell Semiconductor. The design combines Marvell's new PXA168 system-on-chip and WiFi chipset with Chumby's Linux-based “push” info-tainment stack and website, says Chumby. (more…)