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IDC says smartphone sales reached a “new record level” during the fourth quarter of 2009, increasing 39 percent year-over-year to reach 54.5 million units. Meanwhile, Motorola's 4Q sales increased 56.3 percent compared to 4Q 2008, with 80 percent attributed to Android, the research firm added.
Via Technologies announced a baseboard designed to integrate a previously released, Linux-ready Pico-ITXe board into a car's instrument panel. The Epia-P710-D offers three Mini PCI Express slots, a SIM slot, SD card reader, plus USB, IDE, and SATA ports, according to the company.
Moxa announced a rackmount automation computer, with four PCI expansion slots and four gigabit Ethernet ports. The DA-710 has a 2GHz Intel Celeron M processor, a CompactFlash slot, SATA and IDE interfaces, two serial ports, plus four USB 2.0 ports, and runs Debian Linux 5.0, says Moxa.
Access subsidiary IP Infusion announced a new version of its Linux-based, Next Generation Network (NGN) carrier-grade middleware. ZebOS Network Platform 7.8 adds support for Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS), Data Center Bridging, and MPLS resiliency for wireless backhaul and Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) implementations, says the company.
The Nokia-backed Symbian Foundation announced it has open sourced the world's leading smartphone operating system, with the release of Symbian 3. Released under an Eclipse Public License (EPL), Symbian 3 adds improved graphics, HDMI support, and better multimedia streaming capabilities, says the Foundation.
U.K.-based Anders Electronics announced a Linux-ready ARM Cortex-A8 COM (computer on module) with up to 256MB of RAM, 512MB of flash storage, 10/100 Ethernet, and integrated WiFi. The CM-T3530 comes with Texas Instruments OMAP3503 or OMAP3530 CPUs clocked at up to 720MHz, has a touchscreen controller, includes a camera interface, according to the company.
The Linux Foundation announced a call for papers and open registration for its second annual LinuxCon conference, scheduled for August 10-12 in Boston. Priority topics for submitted papers include “Linux in mobile devices,” and the show will feature mini-summits for wireless and power management technologies, the nonprofit Linux advocacy organization says.
Motorola and Verizon Wireless announced a mid-range Android phone sporting the former's MotoBlur UI. Due for a March launch, the “Devour” offers a 3.1-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen, a side-slider keyboard, three-megapixel camera, CDMA/EVDO 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a full complement of apps, including Google Maps Navigation, says Motorola.
China-based HiVision is readying an Android-based “PWS700CA” netbook with a 600MHz Rockchip ARM9 processor and a 7-inch, WVGA touchscreen, and according to one preview, it's likely to sell for under $100. HiVision also recently introduced a Linux-based “PWS700B” netbook, as well as an “EB-0600S” e-reader, says the company.
Broadcom announced broad adoption of Bluetooth 3.0 across its silicon, software, and combo chip solutions. Separately, Samsung is set to release what appears to be the world's first Bluetooth 3.0-equipped phone, according to the Bluetooth SIG (special interest group).
Wind River has rev'd its embedded development tool-suite for Linux and VxWorks. Upgraded software is said to include: the Wind River Workbench 3.2 integrated development environment, now synchronized with Eclipse 3.5; the JTAG-based Wind River On-Chip Debugging 3.2, which adds multi-core and multi-target support; and the Wind River Compiler 5.8.
Kontron announced a single board computer (SBC) using the 95 x 95mm microETXexpress format and an Intel Atom Z520PT processor. The “microETXexpress-XL” features gigabit Ethernet, PCI and PCI Express Graphics, an optional SSD (solid state disk), and an industrial operating range from -40 to 85 deg. C (-40 to 185 deg. F), the company says.
Eurotech subsidiary Parvus announced an Intel Atom-based version of its rugged, Linux-ready tactical mission computer. The DuraCOR 820-A offers an Atom Z530 1.6GHz processor with gigabit Ethernet and optional MIL-STD-1553 databus connectivity, as well as lower power consumption, and additional memory and storage compared to the previous model, says Parvus.
Days after a hacker broke open the inner multi-touch capabilities of Google's Nexus One, Google announced it is now offering pinch-to-zoom capability on the Android phone via a software update. In other Google news, the company has posted pictures of the Linux-based Chrome OS running on a tablet prototype.
Open Kernel Labs and Citrix Systems announced a virtualization-driven, cross-platform reference architecture for smartphones that enables users to access corporate desktops and applications. The Nirvana Phone offers a video-out port for displaying virtualized desktops on an external monitor, plus Bluetooth and USB drivers for controlling keyboards and mice.