LearningSoft has used customized Linux-based handheld devices in an “assessment system” aimed at helping classroom school teachers create, administer, and score tests. Aimed primarily at grades three through eight, the “Indigo Learning System” uses Aeronix's $99 Zipit chat device running a custom software… (more…)

Most presentations from the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF) conference held Apr. 17-19, 2007 in Santa Clara, Calif. are now available at the CELF WiKi. The event featured 52 deeply technical presentations, many describing original kernel development projects aimed at improving Linux for use in devices. (more…)

LinuxDevices.com's survey results consistently show Debian to be the most popular distribution among device developers. For example, our 2007 survey indicated that Debian was used in device-related projects by 13 percent of the survey's 932 participants, roughly double the score of MontaVista, the most… (more…)

The results of LinuxDevices.com's seventh annual Embedded Linux Market Survey are in! This brief summary outlines our interpretation of a few key data points. (more…)

Hammer Storage, a division of Bell Microproducts, used embedded Linux as the software platform in its flagship consumer network-attached storage (NAS) device. The “MyShare” NAS appliance runs Linux on an ARM9-based Marvell processor, and has two internal SATA II drives, for capacities up to 2 terabytes. (more…)

Venture Development Corp. (VDC) recently attended the 2007 Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, Calif. This guest column from VDC's “Embedded Systems Bulletin — April 2007” presents a summary of the event. (more…)

Foreword: This article describes the products and product design philosophies of a small Utah-based company offering high-quality, intelligent, network-enabled cameras based on open source hardware and software. Elphel hopes its newest modular camera design will attract Linux software and FPGA engineers interested in exploring high-definition videography, among other innovative applications. (more…)

Foreword: In this guest column, Doug Gaff gives his take on last week's Embedded Systems Conference and ponders the future of the industry. What does “embedded” mean? As processors become more powerful and embedded devices are increasingly interconnected, Gaff contends that the distinction between “embedded” and “application” development is blurring. (more…)

SysMaster used embedded Linux to build a set-top box with a dizzying array of audio, video, networking, communications, and data capabilities. The Tornado M10 Digital Media Center runs Linux 2.6.19, and targets phone and IP network operators wishing to offer a wide range of services. (more…)

Foreword: This guest column describes in plain language how Version 3 modernizes the GPL, while remaining consistent in intent with earlier versions. Additionally, it debunks a few common GPLv3 myths, and suggests how the Linux kernel itself could someday wind up adopting the revised… (more…)

Muse Research used Linux and the open source WINE Windows emulator to build a virtual instrumentation and effects box used by the Rolling Stones, U2, Herbie Hancock, John Mayer, and others. The 2U rackmounted “Receptor” runs VST-format audio effects and virtual instruments on commodity PC hardware, using a… (more…)

Foreword: This guest column summarizes results from a recent study on Linux in the embedded systems market by Venture Development Corp. (VDC). The results suggest that commercial Linux OS suppliers, such as MontaVista, Wind River, TimeSys Sysgo, and many others, are struggling to compete with purely open source offerings. (more…)

Foreword: — This article describes the floating point performance benefits of the ARM EABI (embedded application binary interface), which now has its own Debian port. The authors use an open source floating point benchmark to compare how compiling with EABI support can improve floating point performance. (more…)

Bivio Networks has added a high-end model to its line of Linux-based network appliances for deep packet inspection. The 7000 runs the company's Linux-based BiviOS on an interesting AMP (asymmetrical multiprocessing) architecture claimed capable of wirespeed network application processing at 10… (more…)

Nokia quietly began delivering an upgrade to its Linux-based 770 Internet Tablet in January. The N800 retains the same small web tablet form factor, while adding a webcam and significantly increasing computing horsepower, memory, and storage expansion. (more…)