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Qualcomm's reflective, power-saving color display technology will enter volume production this year in a version suitable for tablet PCs and e-readers, says the Taiwanese publication DigiTimes. The 5.7-inch Mirasol displays will offer XGA (1024 x 768 pixel) resolution, video at up to 30 frames per second, and extremely low power consumption, says Qualcomm.
Over on DeviceGuru, Rick Lehrbaum has published an article on how to turn Cloud Engines' Marvell SheevaPlug-based Pogoplug device into an iPod server. In addition to showing how to use the Linux-based device to gain remote web access to his iPod's music collection, the story explores UPnP sharing on the newly rev'd Pogoplug.
Apple has unveiled WebKit2, a new version of the web technology used by its own Safari browser, as well as Google's Android and Chrome, and most mobile phone browsers. The new version changes the WebKit stack to build process management into the API (application programming interface) layer, potentially improving performance, stability, and security, the company says.
Shenzen-based Science and Technology Co. Ltd. has released a $100 netbook that runs Android, Linux, or Windows CE 6.0 on a Via-manufactured ARM SoC (system on chip). The 1.87-pound device includes a 10-inch screen with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution, from 1GB to 4GB of flash storage, and two hours of battery life, according to the Shanzhaiben.com website.
Apple might have just tipped its iPhone OS 4.0, but Android has jumped to nine percent of the U.S. smartphone market, according to ComScore. Meanwhile, Nielsen says U.S. smartphone sales will eclipse feature-phone sales by 2011, and ABI Research predicts that over 800 million Android apps will be downloaded this year, making it the fastest-growing OS in app downloads.
The Linux Foundation (LF) has announced it is now accepting registrations for a free, live video streaming program of its Collaboration Summit keynote sessions in San Francisco next Wednesday, April 14. Meanwhile, the non-profit Linux advocacy group has announced several new members, including Ricoh, Parallels, and Cubrid.
Specs have leaked for several high-end 1GHz Snapdragon-based Android smartphones, including the AMOLED-enabled HTC Incredible, which is set for an April 29 Verizon launch, reports say. LG is also riding the Snapdragon with its upcoming, QWERTY-enabled Aloha C710, which appears similar to a tipped LG Eclipse LU2300 Android phone.
Avalue announced a 12.1-inch touchscreen PC targeting marine applications. The LPC-1203 features a sealed front panel, a LED-backlit display with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, and CompactFlash or hard disk storage, according to the company.
Axiomtek is readying a Linux-ready COM Express Type-II module that supports up to 19 lanes of PCI-Express, plus up to four PCI slots. The CEM831 includes an Intel Atom N270, up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, gigabit Ethernet, and dual channel LVDS, says the company.
Timesys announced a partnership with Digi International, making the company the preferred commercial Linux solutions provider for Digi's ConnectCore Wi-i.MX51 wireless module. Timesys' LinuxLink embedded development framework now supports the Wi-i.MX51 module, based on Freescale's Cortex-A8-based i.MX51 system-on-chip, and also supports Digi's Wi-i.MX51 “JumpStart” reference kit, says Timesys.
“Geohot” posted a video yesterday demonstrating a tweaked version of Sony's 3.21 firmware update for the PlayStation 3, apparently restoring the ability to load Linux on the console. It's said the CFW (custom firmware) may even work on the “Slim” consoles introduced last year.
Texas Instruments has spun a new IP camera system-on-chip (SoC) that enables 720p video and analytics for the video surveillance market. The TMS320DMVA1 SoC combines an ARM9 core, a new Vision analytics co-processor, and a codec co-processor, and is offered in a Linux-ready DMVA1 IP camera reference design, says TI.
The O'Reilly Open Source Convention (OSCON) has posted sessions and keynotes for its annual conference. Scheduled for July 19-23 in Portland, OSCON features keynote speakers including Google's Chris DiBona, Facebook's David Recordon, and Canonical's Simon Wardley, with embedded sessions covering topics such as Android, MeeGo, Marvell's Plug Computer, and the BeagleBoard.
Advantech announced a compact PC that's aimed at digital signage applications and, with an optional Broadcom video accelerator card, can play 1080p HD video. The ARK-DS303 features HDMI and VGA outputs, has 1GB of DDR2 RAM and a 160GB hard disk drive, and uses a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, the company says.
Innovative Converged Devices (ICD) is prepping an 11.2-inch, Android-based “Gemini” tablet that blows away the iPad on specs, says Engadget. Meanwhile, HP has tipped more details on its Slate tablet, which may run Android, and Nokia is rumored to be readying a tablet that runs the Linux-based MeeGo.