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Advantech announced an ETX 3.0-format CPU module with improved memory, graphics, and storage capabilities compared to earlier models. The SOM-4487 offers Intel's Pentium or Celeron M CPUs, dual display capability, 36-bit LVDS, and a wide range of I/O, says the company.
NEC Electronics is sampling a software development kit (SDK) for portable multimedia players and mobile televisions, based on an ARM11-based EMMA Mobile 1 system-on-chip (SoC) and Wind River Linux. Additional SDKs for digital multimedia devices combining EMMA-family SoCs and Wind River Linux are expected to follow in late 2009 and 2010, say the partners.
Via announced a Linux-compatible notebook reference design that packs a 1.3GHz Nano processor along with optional Mobile WiMAX, GPS, and cellular connectivity. The “eNote Turnkey Solution” has an 11.6-inch display, 2-megapixel camera, and up to 2GB of DDR2, says Via, which also announced it has joined the Linux Foundation.
Intel has announced several new processors that bring its high-end “Nehalem” architecture to mainstream desktop PCs and entry-level servers. In addition to the Core i5, i7, and Xeon 3400 processors, the chipmaker released the “revolutionary” P55 Express Chipset, touted as “the baseline building block component for [future] motherboards worldwide.”
Palm announced the second phone to run its Linux-based WebOS, and cut the price of the Palm Pre by $50. Destined for a fourth-quarter release on Sprint, the Palm Pixi runs a new Qualcomm MSM7627 SoC, and offers a 2.8-inch, 320 x 400 touchscreen, an exposed QWERTY keyboard, and 3G support.
Eurotech announced a Linux-compatible edge controller for aggregating and communicating data from edge devices, sensors, and monitors using its Everyware Software Framework (ESF) Java framework. The customizable Helios computer runs on an Intel Atom Z5xx processor, offers gigabit Ethernet and serial ports, and has five USB ports, says Eurotech.
Telecom software vendor Enea has launched an Enea Android Competence Center in Lund, Sweden to provide professional software development services for Android. Meanwhile, an eWEEK opinion piece argues that although Android is underestimated by many in the mobile industry, the open source mobile platform could emerge as the smartphone winner.
Direct Insight announced a SODIMM-sized CPU module that runs Linux on an ARM Cortex-A8 processor. Available with a separate 90 x 90mm breakout board, the SwiftModule-OM includes up to 256MB of RAM and 256GB of flash storage, Ethernet, and optional WiFi, the company says.
HTC Corp. announced an Android phone aimed at “the masses” that offers the same Sense UI as its more robust HTC Hero smartphone cousin. The HTC Tattoo provides a 2.8-inch touchscreen, HSPA, WCDMA, and Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE network support, plus WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera, says HTC.
Cavium Networks announced a SoC family with single- and dual ARM11 cores and claimed power consumption of under a Watt. Aimed at home media gateways and network-attached storage devices, the Econa CNS3xxx offers 300MHz to 700MHz clock rates, over ten multimedia and networking acceleration engines, and a Linux SDK, Cavium says.
Stanford University announced an open source digital camera with advanced computational photography capabilities. Designed as a programmable research platform and application development platform for dSLR cameras, the “Frankencamera” (formally “Stanford Camera 2.0”) runs Linux on a Texas Instruments chip and uses a Nokia N95 mobile phone camera module.
The Open Invention Network (OIN) announced that as part of its “Linux Defenders” program, it has acquired 22 Linux-focused patents that had previously been owned by Microsoft, says eWEEK. OIN purchased the 3D graphics-related patents from Allied Security Trust in an effort to protect them from “patent trolls” intending to assert them against Linux firms.
Sprint will be the first U.S. carrier to offer HTC's “Hero” Android smartphone, complete with the “Sense” UI and a low $180 pricetag. Meanwhile, Google is responding to criticism from Android developers by adding promotional mechanisms to Android Market, and eWEEK looks inside the Android-based T-Mobile MyTouch 3G.
Men Micro announced a fanless, ruggedized computer designed for mobile vehicles in agricultural or industrial settings. The RC1 MIPIOS Box Computer runs either a 1.6GHz Z530 or 1.1GHz Z510 Intel Atom CPU, offers Ethernet, USB, and serial interfaces, and complies with IP67 and EN 50155 ruggedization standards, says the company.
Commell announced a 5.25-inch single board computer (SBC) targeting display-oriented embedded applications. Built around an Intel Atom N270 and Intel 945GSE Express chipset, the LE-575 is equipped with four gigabit Ethernet ports, seven serial ports, and eight USB ports, plus both PCI and Mini PCI slots, the company says.