Wyse Technology released a utility that allows administrators to “instantly restore” their Linux- and Windows-based thin client devices in case of damage or misuse. The “Wyse USB Firmware Tool” (left) saves device configurations to USB memory sticks, which can then be used as needed, says Wyse. (more…)

[Updated: 8PM] — Skytone announced the Alpha 680, a 533MHz Freescale i.MX31-based netbook with a 7-inch touchscreen that may well be the first Android netbook. Meanwhile, a group called I-Buddy has released a YouTube video that shows Android running on an Atom-based netbook prototype. (more…)

Pleyo has released a development platform to support its WebKit-based, open-source browser for consumer-electronics devices. The new “Origyn Production” software provides a tool-chain and automated test environment that supports development around its Linux-compatible Origyn Web Browser (OWB), which was recently rev'd to version 4.0. (more…)

Xandros announced a Linux-based fast-boot technology that can be downloaded and installed by Windows users on “almost any PC.” The “Presto” utility can power up (and down) laptops “within seconds,” offering access to web, email, RealPlayer media, and an applications store (left), the company says. (more…)

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) announced a “1.5” refresh of its Linux compatible XO-1 mini-laptop for schoolchildren in developing nations. The revised version switches to a Via C7M processor, increases memory to 1GB of DDR2 RAM, and includes 4GB or 8GB of flash, says the association. (more…)

Adlink is now sampling an EBX-format SBC (single board computer) featuring Intel's Atom N270 processor. Targeting migration of legacy systems, the LittleBoard 735 has a PC-104-Plus expansion site, dual video outputs, two Ethernet ports, seven USB ports, plus CompactFlash and Mini-PCI Express sockets, the company says. (more…)

Canonical will release Ubuntu 9.04 (nicknamed “Jaunty Jackalope”) on April 23. The new release of the fast-growing open-source Linux distro boasts faster boot and resume operations, a new desktop notification service, smoother handoffs between WiFi and 3G service, and Ubuntu's first ARM port,… (more…)

Database giant Oracle has agreed to purchase Sun Microsystems in a deal worth $7.4 billion, according to a story in eWEEK. Oracle wants Sun more for its hardware than its software, and may choose to jettison Sun's open source offerings, including MySQL, says eWEEK. (more…)

MontaVista Software announced that its MontaVista Linux Carrier Grade Edition (CGE) has been deployed by Spanish network equipment provider (NEP) Teltronic in its private radio network basestations. The Teltronic basestations support the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) standard for emergency, security, and police services, says the company. (more…)

Foreword — This article continues a series of tutorials on embedded Linux system development contributed by noted ARM Linux kernel hackers Vincent Sanders and Daniel Silverstone. In the initial installments, the Simtec engineers first described how to build a simple embedded system, then how to add a simple web server. (more…)

Shuttle Incorporated is shipping a “nettop” mini-PC built upon its mini-ITX based “X27” design and running OpenSUSE Linux. The X270V (pictured) moves up to a dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor, clocked at 1.6GHz, with 1GB DDR2, and offers gigabit Ethernet and USB connectivity, the company says. (more…)

GiiNii will ship an Android-based portable media player (PMP) and portable Internet appliance in October and January, respectively, according to a spokesperson. The Movit Mini and larger Movit Maxx include touchscreens, WiFi, a webcam, and optional Bluetooth, says the company. (more…)

[Updated: 1PM] — Motorola is claiming that rumors about a new Android version of its Au Box set-top box (STB) for KDDI in Japan are unfounded. Meanwhile, Google CEO Eric Schmidt dropped some stronger hints about Android-based netbooks in yesterday's earnings call, says eWEEK. (more…)

Micetek announced a PowerPC development platform that includes a processor module, carrier board, and Linux board support package (BSP). The MPC8572PC module and Type-N carrier board provide a development platform for the Freescale dual-core MPC8572 processor clocked at 1.3GHz, and they offer gigabit Ethernet… (more…)

LinuxDevices has posted part 2 of an overview of Linux's V4L2 (Video for Linux 2) interface, focusing on developing a device driver that uses it. Written by Promwad engineer Vladimir Davydov (pictured), this second tutorial examines the V4L2 buffering interface, including initializing and releasing buffers. (more…)