The University of California, Irvine Extension has launched a Device Software Engineering studies program and announced an online course called “Linux Driver Primer.” Beginning March 31, the course will explain how to develop and write code for Linux device drivers and develop Linux device frameworks. (more…)

Applied Data Systems (ADS) is shipping a 3 x 5-inch SBC (single-board computer) available with Linux. The Bitsy G5 is based on a 532MHz Freescale i.MX31 processor, supports touchscreen displays, has a PCMCIA slot, and uses under a Watt of power, according to ADS. (more…)

Igel Techology has announced the incorporation of Philips SpeechMagic voice recognition technology into its thin client devices. Operable with or without training, the technology supports 25 different languages, allows dictation directly into templates, and permits switching between client- and server-based recognition,… (more…)

Mercury Computer Systems is shipping a high-performance computing (HPC) blade system based on Cell processors. The 1U Dual Cell-Based System 2 (DCBS-2) is equipped with two Cell Broadband Engine (BE) processors, runs Linux, and is available with an updated version of Mercury's MultiCore Plus tools. (more…)

Packt Publishing is offering a sample chapter from a book on Linux-based thin clients. The publisher calls David Richards's Linux Thin Client Networks Design and Deployment: A quick guide for System Administrators a comprehensive guide to setting up and maintaining Linux thin client networks. (more…)

Intel has added a couple of high-end server chips to its high-longevity embedded parts roadmap. Now shipping with seven-year lifecycle guarantees and a new “power-optimized” 5100 chipset, the quad-core Xeon 5400 and dual-core Xeon 5200 are fabricated with Intel's new 45nm process and high-K, metal gate transistor formula. (more…)

CoWare has announced that the latest version of its electronic system-level (ESL) product supports chipset, handset, and software development for the Open Handset Alliance's Android platform. The Android-ready CoWare ESL 2.0 offers virtual hardware platforms and tools for designing sub-systems, processors, DSPs, and… (more…)

The GameCube Linux project has released a “proof of concept” Linux distribution for the Nintendo Wii gaming console. Powered by a 729MHz PowerPC processor, Wii hardware running Linux could be used as a thin client, multimedia terminal, server, or as a platform for “homebrew” computer games, the project suggests. (more…)

Pamplona, Spain-based Openbravo has updated its cross-platform, open source, Java-based POS (point of sales/service) software for retail and hospitality businesses. The new open OpenBravo 2.0 software release is said to offer enhanced usability, configuration, and localization capabilities. (more…)

Timesys has added a new Atmel microcontroller (MCU) to its list of supported chips. The company is offering a free Linux-based board support package (BSP) for the AT91SAM9RL, a low-powered 32-bit RISC-based microcontroller targeting smart control panels. (more…)

Nuvation has introduced two Linux-based reference designs that run on Texas Instruments (TI) DaVinci processors, and support power-over-Ethernet (PoE). The IP Camera includes its own high-resolution camera sensor and lens, while the IVS is designed for use with external analog CCTV… (more…)

LynuxWorks is readying a new version of its Linux-compatible separation kernel and hypervisor. Designed to provide multiple independent levels of security (MILS) in aerospace, government, and defense applications, LynxSecure 2.0 offers improved multiprocessor support, a lightweight POSIX run-time environment,… (more…)

Xilinx announced a Linux development kit for embedded systems using its low-cost Spartan FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays). The MicroBlaze Development Kit Spartan-3A DSP 1800A Edition is designed to support the company's MicroBlaze soft-cores, and comes with LynuxWork's commercially supported… (more…)

[Updated Mar. 3, 2008] Texas Instruments (TI) announced four Linux-compatible, Cortex-A8-based applications processors today. At the high end, the OMAP35xx line closely resembles TI's OMAP34xx offerings for mobile phones, but with a larger ball-pitch and lower-volume pricing, for use in embedded applications… (more…)

Chumby Industries announced volume shipments of its Chumby “consumer Internet device” at a price of $180 apiece. Chumby also announced a slate of content providers for the Chumby Network, including CBS, MTV Networks, MySpace, The Weather Channel Interactive, AOL's SHOUTcast and Scripps Networks. (more…)