Officials with Calxeda, the startup that's building ARM-based chips for low-power data center servers, announced a “Trailblazer” program designed to create an ecosystem around its technology. But, while Calxeda touted support from Ubuntu Linux sponsor Canonical, among other companies, there's been no hint from Microsoft that it will create a server edition of its ARM-based “Windows 8.”

(more…)

Huawei tipped a “MediaPad” tablet running Android 3.x, said to be due June 20 and to be the company's smallest and lightest offering. Meanwhile, rival Chinese manufacturer Lenovo will release both consumer and enterprise 10-inch Android tablets, under the IdeaPad and ThinkPad brands respectively, says an industry report.

(more…)

Samsung and American Airlines announced they will deploy 6,000 Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets for premium class, in-flight entertainment on select flights later this year. The roll-out is designed to help promote Samsung's Android 3.1 tablet in the enterprise market, according to the company.

(more…)

TiVo Inc. announced a new version of its Linux-based DVR/IP set-top box (STB) called the TiVo Premiere Q — said to enable recording four streams at once while simultaneously transmitting three HD streams to other devices via a LAN. The company also announced its first non-DVR STB, the TiVo Preview, which can be used as a thin client multi-room extension for other TiVo devices.

(more…)

Texas Instruments (TI) announced that its TMS320C6748 digital signal processor (DSP) and OMAP-L138 DSP/ARM processor now offer security boot and upgrade features. The processors ship with a secure boot capability, as well as a multi-layer encrypted remote upgrade feature that lets users upgrade boot and application code remotely on flash memory while keeping the boot sequence secure, says the company.

(more…)

Habey USA says its new Qseven module can stream two HD videos simultaneously, while using no more than 5.5 Watts. The SOM-6670 includes a choice of Intel Atom E6xx processors, 512MB of soldered-on memory, and an optional Mini-ITX baseboard, according to the company.

(more…)

MimoMonitors.com announced a Linux-based, Marvell SheevaPlug mini-PC, now usable as a desktop PC via one of the company's USB touchscreen displays. The compact, 1.2GHz MimoPlug features 512MB of RAM, 512MB of flash storage, an SD slot, gigabit Ethernet, plus a USB port, and comes with screens from seven to 10 inches in bundles ranging from $380 to $500, says the company.

(more…)

A fabless startup called ICube announced a new multicore processor architecture aimed at Android tablets, claimed to be the first to handle both CPU logic and graphics processing in a “truly integrated” single core. The Harmony Unified Processor Technology architecture offers up to four processing threads per core, and will first appear later this year in a 65nm, dual-core IC1 SoC, says ICube.

(more…)

Advantech's two new embedded automation devices feature a plethora of serial ports, dual Mini PCI Express slots, and a fanless design. The UNO-2174A and UNO-2178A include Atom N450 or D510 processors, front-accessible CompactFlash slots, plus optional PC/104 or PCI-104 daughterboard expansion.

(more…)

Performance Technologies (PT) announced an 8U MicroTCA system with updated NexusWare Linux based middleware for next-generation networks. The Monterey MicroTCA system supports the latest MicroTCA.4 standard, offers processors up to a quad-core Core i7, and adds increased backplane performance and power: 40GbE connectivity and 160 Watts of power for each of up to 12 AMC modules, says PT.

(more…)

Google upgraded its Android Market Webstore to inform users whether a given app is compatible with their Android devices. Meanwhile Google Maps has been updated with live tracking of public transportation in six cities in the U.S. and Europe, and Microsoft is trying to lure Android developers with new resources including an “Android to Windows Phone 7 API mapping tool” website.

(more…)

Access launched a new Android- and Linux-ready version of its mobile browser, based for the first time on the open source WebKit engine. The NetFront Browser NX primarily targets Internet TVs, set-top boxes, and game consoles — including the Nintendo 3DS — and is claimed to offer more efficient memory usage and flexible UI customization than the mainstream NetFront Browser.

(more…)

Motorola Mobility and Sprint announced a Photon 4G smartphone that runs Android 2.3 on a 1GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, offers a 4.3-inch qHD display, and has an optional, Atrix-like “laptop dock.” Motorola also announced that its 4.1-inch Triumph, running Android 2.2 on a 1GHz processor, will be exclusively available from Sprint's Virgin Mobile USA prepaid service.

(more…)

The Bluetooth SIG is releasing new, health-oriented specifications for version 4.0 of its popular wireless technology. As a result, power-saving blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, and other devices should be available by the end of the year, the organization says.

(more…)

Samsung's Infuse 4G on AT&T is a speedy Android 2.2 “Froyo” smartphone that offers a lot for its $200 price, including a 1.2GHz Hummingbird processor, an eight-megapixel camera, and a big 4.5-inch screen with Super AMOLED Plus display technology. The Infuse 4G's delights make it clear why Samsung is quickly dominating the Android smartphone market, this eWEEK review says.

(more…)