Foreword — This whitepaper compares four approaches to storing program code on flash memory, including eXecute-in-place (XIP), fully shadowed, demand paging, and “balanced” XIP. It concludes that the latter approach can save Flash and RAM while lowering launch time, especially when used with the AXFS (advanced XIP filing system). (more…)

In an opinion piece for Embedded.com, Green Hills Software CEO Dan O'Dowd has resumed his crusade against embedded Linux — with a new twist. O'Dowd argues that recent marketing by commercial Linux distro vendors MontaVista and Wind River prove that they agree that embedded Linux is “chaos.” (more…)

LWN.net has published an article about ksplice, a hot-patching utility for the Linux kernel that was developed by an MIT grad student. Ksplice lets users make changes to running kernel code — for example to apply a security patch — without rebooting the system or interrupting services running on it. (more…)

At this year's JavaOne conference, Sun Microsystems demonstrated its JavaFX technology for creating Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). The Linux-based, GPL-licensable technology will first appear for desktop operating systems (OSes) this Fall, says Sun, with JavaFX Mobile and JavaFX TV due in Spring 2009. (more…)

Contendo Systems announced two flat-panel PCs that run Linux or Windows CE, and can use PoE (power over Ethernet). The ITP-070 and ITP-104 feature touchscreen displays, microSD storage, sealed aluminum cases, and Marvell PXA270 or PXA320 processors running at up to 806MHz. (more…)

According to TamsPPC — the PocketPC Blog, Palm is rallying software partners for a Q3 launch of two Treo successors. The blog reported an insider tip on two Palm smartphones code-named “Zeppelin” and “Skywriter,” which have been rumored to run Linux and/or Windows Mobile. (more…)

IDG World Expo announced an “Embedded Linux” track for the Mobile Linux Conference program at this August's LinuxWorld conference. The track includes presentations and panels on embedded Linux development, life-cycles, user interfaces, and virtualization, and a tutorial on hacking the Linksys… (more…)

Ubuntu Linux 7.04 is now available for Sharp's Zaurus PDAs. The 0.1 release comes with a minimalist filesystem that can be launched in an emulator, enhanced with software from the vast Ubuntu archives, and then flashed onto a real Zaurus. (more…)

Win Enterprises is shipping a single-board computer (SBC) that supports two 45nm Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors with extended lifecycle support. The Linux-compatible MB-60630 offers a dual-socketed PICMG 1.3 format, and targets military systems, medical imaging, scientific analysis, digital media, and oil and gas… (more…)

ITTIA has released a new version of its lightweight SQL R-DBMS (relational database management system) for embedded systems and mobile devices. Version 2.5 of the Linux-compatible DB-SQL R-DBMS adds language bindings for Java and C#, as well as VxWorks support, says ITTIA. (more…)

FST announced the launch of version 2.0 of its Linux-compatible FancyPants embedded graphics stack. The new “BlueJeans” release adds GUI development features including object-oriented scripting, custom video thumbs, and the ability to run multiple embedded applications simultaneously on the same… (more…)

Axiomtek has announced a fanless embedded computer based on one of its existing SBCs (single board computers). Targeting applications such as digital signage or industrial control, the shock-resistant eBox647-FL boots Linux from CompactFlash, according to the company. (more…)

Motorola will preview native Linux and Webkit widget development tools for mobile phones this quarter, it said. Additionally, at JavaOne this week, the handset vendor launched updated Java ME (Micro Edition) tools, and announced a beta release of Symbian UIQ development tools. (more…)

Trolltech has released a new version of its cross-platform application development framework. Qt 4.4 incorporates the open source Webkit browser engine, Phonon multimedia framework, and Qt Concurrency threads library for multicore, while adding support for Windows CE and Windows Mobile as build… (more…)

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms announced a Linux-ready single-board computer (SBC) that adheres to the military-friendly VPX format. The company claims the “ruggedized” VPXcel3 SBC320 is the first 3U VPX SBC with an Intel Core2 Duo and “server-class” memory that also boasts low heat dissipation. (more…)