In an interview, Olivier Fourdan, creator of the XFCE, talks about the desktop environment's growing popularity in netbooks. He also discusses Intel's recent contributions to XFCE, which the Intel-sponsored Moblin project is using, as well as the broader potential for Linux-based environments such as XFCE or Android in netbooks. (more…)

Citrix announced a new version of its software for delivering virtualized Windows desktops to thin clients, including Linux devices. XenDesktop 3 enables desktops to be run remotely or locally, supports twice as many desktops per server, and includes “HDX MediaStream” technology for multimedia acceleration, the company says. (more…)

Congatec announced its fourth COM (computer on module) using an Intel Atom processor, targeting “mobile and fanless” applications. The conga-BA945 has a COM Express form factor, accepts a whopping 4GB of RAM, has eight USB ports and two serial ports, and includes PCIe expansion, says Congatec. (more…)

Foreword: — This paper describes the recent imaging advances by Elphel, supplier of open source (hardware and software) cameras to customers that include Google (for select Street View and book scanning projects). It should interest imaging engineers, fans of open source, and those curious about open source hardware. (more…)

Microsoft and Brother Industries have entered into a broad patent cross-licensing agreement that enables access to each company's respective patent portfolio, including Brother's embedded Linux printing products. Aimed at boosting R&D efforts, the agreement includes compensation paid to Microsoft by Brother, say the companies. (more…)

OpenSynergy is readying a Linux-based “car operating system” and an Intel Atom-based evaluation board for automobile infotainment systems. The COQOS platform aims to let Linux-based infotainment applications and AUTOSAR-compliant telematics modules share the same system-on-chip processor, which is virtualized by a “micro… (more…)

Azingo announced a touch-enabled version of its LiMo (Linux Mobile)-compliant Azingo Mobile middleware and browser stack. Destined for use on Vodafone-delivered handsets, Azingo Mobile 2.0 offers a new runtime, homescreen interface, browser, and UI toolkit that together enable a smartphone-ready touchscreen- and… (more…)

The Linux Mobile Foundation (LiMo) got a huge boost today, when global carrier Vodafone, world's largest wireless operator (by sales), tapped U.S. software firm Azingo to develop Linux-based mobile applications. Reuters called the news “the latest sign (Vodafone) is keeping Linux operating system LiMo as one of its key choices.” (more…)

The Pragmatic Programmers is publishing a “getting started” book on Google Android development. Ed Burnette's Hello, Android covers all the basics of the Linux/Java mobile stack, from creating user interfaces to building location-based services, and concludes with coding an Android Sudoku game,… (more…)

The Linux Foundation is soliciting speakers for LinuxCon, a “brand new” annual technical conference, planned for Sep. 21-25 in Portland, Ore. The event is expected to draw core developers, administrators, end-users, community managers, and industry experts, and will include a mobile/embedded track, the… (more…)

Genesi and Freescale are offering free systems with Linux board support packages (BSPs) to developers with innovative proposals for developing on Freescale's new netbook-oriented i.MX515 system-on-chip (SoC). The i.MX515 Developer Program is now open for proposal submissions for developing on the ARM Cortex-A8-based platform. (more…)

French mobile stack developer and LiMo (Linux Mobile) Foundation member Purple Labs announced 2H 2008 revenues of 11 million Euros (~$14.1M), quadruple its revenue in the first half of 2008. (more…)

[Updated, Feb. 5] — Personal navigation device (PND) vendor Garmin and AsusTek (Asus) have merged their smartphone development efforts. The “Garmin-Asus Nuvifone G60” will run a proprietary operating system (OS), but the companies say they will evaluate Linux, Android, and Windows Mobile for… (more…)

Altera announced two new FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), and has upgraded its Linux-compatible FPGA design toolkit. The Quartus II 9.0 toolsuite adds support for the new Stratix IV GT and Arria II GX FPGAs, adds an SSN analyzer tool, and debuts a ModelSim Altera Starter Edition simulation engine. (more…)

Timesys is offering a support subscription for Freescale Semiconductor's PowerPC-based MPC8313E communications processor and associated RDB (reference design board), pictured at left. The “LinuxLink” subscription for the MPC8313E helps developers exploit chip features such as gigabit Ethernet, High-Speed USB 2.0, and… (more…)