The Open Source Automation Development Lab (OSADL) announced that the PREEMPT_RT patches have been stabilized with the mainline Linux 2.6.26 kernel. The newly available “latest stable” kernel is said to achieve latency as low as 39 microseconds, while inheriting several interesting new 2.6.26 kernel features. (more…)

An open source hacker community has launched an online store to sell home-made gizmos, including a GPS-equipped baseboard (pictured) for the Linux-ready Gumstix Verdex processor module. (more…)

PC BIOS giant Phoenix Technologies announced a new ARM version of its new previously x86-only Linux fast-boot add-on. HyperSpace has now been optimized for the ARM Cortex-A8 architecture running on netbooks, and is initially targeted at Freescale Semiconductor's new i.MX515 system-on-chip (SoC), says Phoenix. (more…)

Networking middleware vendor IP Infusion announced it will ship a new version of its Linux-compatible, carrier-grade networking software in April. ZebOS Network Platform 7.7 adds support for OpenSAF high-availability (HA) standards, as well as Provider Backbone Bridge-Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE), a technology aimed at large carrier Ethernet networks, says the company. (more…)

LinuxDevices founder Rick Lehrbaum has set out to build an HD-capable, on-demand Internet set-top box, just for fun. He has written a detailed article on his current system, which combines Ubuntu, Boxee, custom modelines, and some xrandr shell magic for enjoyable Internet TV viewing, he says. (more…)

[Updated Feb. 12] — Glacier is shipping a lower-cost, reduced-feature version of its ruggedized Everest panel PCs. The e4000 model targets warehouse, supply chain, and shop-floor environments, and is available with a Linux-based thin-client image from Igel, or a Fedora Linux distribution, says the company. (more…)

An educational software organization in Germany is pilot testing an educational software system based on virtualized Debian/KDE desktops. Kreisbildstelle Stade's “Desque” system serves up virtualized desktops over “standard” broadband connections, letting students and teachers access their desktops from home or school,… (more…)

Access China and NEC Electronics are developing a “price sensitive” smartphone reference design incorporating the “new” Mini version of the Access Linux Platform (ALP) mobile stack. The touch- and 3G-enabled design will use NEC's ARM9-based MP201 system-on-chip (SoC), and a future design may use NEC's new ARM11-based Emma Mobile 1. (more…)

Ibase Technology announced an ETX COM (computer-on-module) for passively cooled industrial and embedded applications, including infotainment, automation, and medical devices. The “ET820” includes a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, two SATA II ports, and a PCI-to-ISA bridge, says Ibase. (more…)

Archos announced a portable media player (PMP) that incorporates Google's Android stack for mobile telephony. Due to ship in the third quarter, the Internet Media Tablet (IMT) is built around a Texas Instruments (TI) OMAP3440 system-on-chip (SoC), supports 3.5G HSUPA service, and offers 500GB of storage, says the company. (more…)

A vendor of Linux-based IP set-top boxes (STBs) announced that it has sold its two millionth unit. Meanwhile, Amino's latest “AmiNet130M” model, which offers MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 in HD (1080i) resolution, has recently won two industry awards, says the company. (more…)

Access announced several management changes, including a new co-CEO, and the promotion of senior executives from networking subsidiary IP Infusion (including Koichi Narasaki, pictured, Access's new SEO/CSO). (more…)

InterDigital is readying an HSPA “wireless engine” baseband module that connects to application processors via PCIe, and thus targets netbooks and other PC-style devices and boards. The SlimChip Half-Mini PCIe module uses InterDigital's SlimChip HSPA baseband IC, which is also available in a SlimChip MID module that connects serially. (more…)

Lanner says it is now sampling a small computer “designed for flexible deployment in industrial control scenarios.” The Linux-compatible LEC-2204 is equipped with a 1.0GHz Intel Celeron CPU, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, CompactFlash Type II storage, and four serial ports, the company says. (more…)

Calao Systems is shipping its tiniest embedded computers yet. The Linux-ready “TinyCore” single-board computer (SBC) modules are offered with Atmel's ARM9-based processors, including the 400MHz AT91SAM9G20, 200MHz AT91SAM9263, and 180MHz AT91SAM9260, and measure a scant 1.4 x 1.6 inches, says the French embedded… (more…)