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Zoran Corp. announced Linux-based firmware for its ARM-based Quatro family of system-on-chips, which target touchscreen-enabled printers and scanners. The Inferno firmware offers an API, printer engine driver, print language support, and other tools for developing Linux applications on Zoran's ARM9-based Quatro 4300 and dual ARM11-core Quatro 4500 processors, both of which include printing-optimized DSPs.
Atmel is using this week's ESC (Embedded Systems Conference) in Silicon Valley to launch two ARM-based system-on-chips (SoCs) featuring hardware encryption and authentication. The SAM9G46 and SAM9M11 support 256-bit AES, triple DES, and SHA, and they'll run Linux on 400MHz ARM929EJ cores, the company says.
Intel announced a fourth generation of its Classmate PC for the education market. The device features a 10.1-inch screen that pivots into tablet mode, a rotating camera, a six-cell battery that lasts 8.5 hours, plus optional GPS, 3G, and WiMAX, the company says.
Marvell is shipping a new member of its Linux-ready Armada line of system-on-chips touted for delivering up to 1GHz performance while consuming less than a single Watt. A slower but more power-efficient version of the Armada 300, the Armada 310 offers 256KB L2 cache, plus PCI-express, gigabit Ethernet, and USB 2.0 connectivity, says the company.
Freescale Semiconductor announced that it has signed strategic agreements with Enea, Green Hills Software, and Mentor Graphics to support Freescale's QorIQ, PowerQUICC, and StarCore processors. The agreement with Mentor Graphics calls for the company to work with Freescale on developing a common Linux build and distribution methodology for PowerQUICC and QorIQ system-on-chips (SoCs).
Portwell announced a “3.5-inch” embedded system board based on the single-core Atom D410 or dual-core Atom D510. The PEB-2780VG2A supports dual displays (VGA and LVDS), IDE or SATA hard drives, and dual gigabit Ethernet ports, according to the company.
Embedian announced a computer-on-module (COM) that includes an ARM Cortex-A8 processor and uses the MXM (Mobile PCI Express Module) format. The MXM-V210 includes a 1GHz Samsung S5PV210X processor, 512MB of RAM, and 256MB of flash, while the EVK-V210 baseboard provides HDMI output, a five megapixel camera module, a seven-inch touchscreen, and two SD slots, the company says.
Opera Software has released a version of its flagship mobile web browser that runs on Linux, Windows, and Macintosh desktop computers. Useful for testing mobile websites, Opera Mobile 10 runs in a variety of resolutions and in both touch and keypad-only modes, the company says.
Kontron announced two rugged, fanless PCs designed for DIN Rail mounting. The ThinkIO-Solo and ThinkIO-Duo include Debian Linux, 1.06GHz Intel Celeron or 1.2GHz Core Duo U2500 processors, up to 1GB of RAM and 4GB of flash storage, a CompactFlash socket, two Ethernet ports, and support for DVI-I and VGA monitors, the company says.
Executives for ARM Holdings are attempting to quell rumors that the company could be sold to Apple. “Nobody has to buy the company,” CEO Warren East was quoted as saying by London's Guardian newspaper, adding “that our standard business model is an excellent way … to gain access to our technology.”
Dell is planning to release a bevy of ARM-based mobile devices, according to what Engadget says are leaked company documents. The devices include four Android-based phones, two Android tablets, and the company's first Windows Phone 7 device, the website says.
Via Technologies is now sampling versions of its 64-bit Nano processors that are aimed specifically at the embedded market. The Nano E series CPUs, ranging in speed from 800MHz to 1.8GHz, come with virtualization capabilities and extended longevity support, the company says.
TI (Texas Instruments) announced two camera and communications development kits for its recently announced TMS320DM368 DaVinci video processor. The DM368EUCDK (embedded USB camera development kit) includes webcam hardware, while the DM368ECDK (embedded communications development kit) provides dual image sensors and communication boards, the company says.
T-Mobile and Garmin-Asus announced a navigation-oriented smartphone that will run Android and include multi-touch capabilities. The “Garminfone” includes a 600MHz Qualcomm processor, 4GB of flash storage, a three megapixel camera, and GPS capabilities that work with or without cellular connectivity, according to the companies.
Inside Contactless, a manufacturer of near field communications (NFC) chips, announced an open source version of its NFC protocol stack for mobile platforms including Windows CE 6.0. Version 3.5 of “Open NFC” will be available on SourceForge.net May 15, complete with source code and full API documentation, the company says.