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Commell announced an embedded motherboard that uses the Mini-ITX form factor and supports Intel's Core i7, i5, and i3 processors. The LV-67F supports up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, features Mini PCI, PCI Express, and Mini PCI Express expansion, and offers six SATA ports, the company says.
Protech announced a 3.5-inch SBC (single board computer) that offers an Intel Atom N450 processor, up to 2GB of DDR2 memory, and a CompactFlash slot. The EB-821LF also includes two gigabit Ethernet ports, four serial ports, and a PC/104 expansion connector, the company says.
Lanner announced an Atom-based PC that supports up to six IP video cameras and is designed for vision control applications. Featuring a separate Ethernet controller for each port, the LEC-2026 runs fanlessly, supports either hard disk or CompactFlash storage, and has connectors for both a VGA monitor and a serial console, the company says.
Wind River announced the release of a version of its Wind River Platform for Android that supports Android 2.2 (“Froyo”) and Adobe Flash Player 10.1. The company also announced a design win with train manufacturer Bombardier for a computer system that will run on London Underground trains.
Linutop released version 4.0 of a Ubuntu Linux-based distro optimized for kiosk applications on small, energy-efficient fanless PCs, including legacy 386-based PCs and the company's own mini-PCs. Linutop OS 4.0 is based on Ubuntu 10.04 (“Lucid Lynx”), has a 700MB footprint, is available in a bootable USB key, and offers a variety of display and security features, says the company.
Axiomtek is readying a rugged, fanless DIN-rail computer with redundant components and SNMP-based “AXView” remote management software. The rBOX100 is equipped with the extended-temperature Intel Atom Z510PT and Z520PT processors, and offers gigabit Ethernet, Ethernet, serial, USB 2.0, and DIO connectivity, says the company.
Swiss university EPFL has demonstrated a swarm of Linux-based semi-autonomous “Flying Robots” designed for rescue communications. Each winged drone in the “SMAVNET” project is equipped with a Toradex Colibri PXA270 module, plus Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and GPS wireless communications, used to log location and trajectory and communicate with both ground communications and other craft.
Ibase announced an embedded system featuring a single-core Atom N450 processor, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and a 160GB, 2.5-inch hard disk drive. The CSB100-891 runs fanlessly, has a wall-mountable enclosure, and has four USB 2.0 ports plus a VGA output, the company says.
Texas Instruments released two free Linux development tools to ease programming of the TMS320C6000 DSP (digital signal processor) included on some DaVinci and OMAP processors. The C6EZRun tool partitions code between the DSP and ARM cores, improving performance and streamlining ARM application ports, while C6EZAccel offers an ARM-side API library of over 130 optimized DSP kernels.
Verizon Wireless will launch its Motorola Droid R2-D2 smartphone Sept. 30 for $250. This Star Wars-themed version of the Android 2.2- and QWERTY-enabled Droid 2 adds a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset, plus preloaded content such as R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones, says Verizon.
The Fedora project announced the Beta release of “Fedora 14 “Laughlin,” featuring faster JPEG downloads and the MeeGo 1.0 netbook environment. Other new features in the Fedora 14 Beta include improved debugging and IPMI server management, and the debut of the “Spice” virtualization desktop framework and “Systemd” management technology for faster start-ups.
Android ad requests increased 39 percent month-over-month in August and 996 percent during 2010, says Millennial Media. Meanwhile, Sony Ericsson has dumped Symbian, Amazon.com may be developing an Android tablet, an IDC/Appcelerator survey claims 58.6 percent of developers believe Android's prospects are brighter than Apple's iOS, and a J.D. Power survey finds high consumer satisfaction for Android smartphones.
Portwell announced a Qseven module sporting the wide-temperature variants of Intel's recently announced Atom E6xx processors, with an operating range of -40 to 185 deg. F (-40 to 85 deg. C.). The PQ7-M105IT features an onboard 4GB or 8GB SSD (solid state disk) up to 8GB, eight USB 2.0 ports and four PCI Express x1 lanes, and is offered with an available 3.5-inch carrier board, the company says.
Amazon.com has introduced new features for its Kindle for Android app, including the ability to search within an e-book via typing or voice. Meanwhile, the company has ratcheted up its marketing campaign for the Kindle e-reader itself, releasing a TV commercial that compares the Kindle's low price and better sunlight readability to the Apple iPad.
Sharp announced two color e-reader tablets set to ship in December, along with an electronic bookstore that will offer 30,000 books and periodicals with automated scheduled delivery services. The “Galapagos” is available in 10.8-inch and 5.5-inch versions, offers 802/11b/g Wi-Fi connections, and according to one report, runs Android.