Beijing-based Vimicro has announced an ARM-based system-on-chip (SoC) intended for low-cost Linux-based smartphones. Built on a 0.13 micron process, the VC0818 offers a variety of multimedia features, supports three-megapixel camera sensors, and is available with a complete development platform, Vimicro says. (more…)

STMicroelectronics (STM) has announced a mobile applications processor aimed at letting mobile devices record and play HD video, and connect directly to HDTV displays. The Linux-compatible STn8820 is based on an ARM11 core, handles 720p (1280 x 720) video, and incorporates graphics technology licensed from AMD, according to STM. (more…)

Linux OS and tools provider MontaVista has announced that Russell “Rusty” Harris is its new president and CEO. Former CEO Thomas Kelly has taken a position as president and CEO of Epicor Software, but will continue to serve as MontaVista's chairman, the company said. (more…)

Aricent has announced audio and video codecs aimed at letting phones based on TI's OMAP3430 system-on-chip (SoC) play and record high-definition (HD) video in MPEG-4 format. Additionally, Linux mobile phone integrator Azingo announced support for the OMAP3430 chip. (more…)

Bologna, Italy-based TBE has announced a Linux-based panel PC aimed at HMI (human-machine interface) applications. Available with an integrated 6.4-inch touchscreen display or as a processor module, the GNU-Linux-based Terminale Grafico ARM-Linux is based on a 200MHz Cirrus Logic EP9315 SoC. (more…)

Timesys has published a new 2.6.24 main line Linux kernel, and a new reference distribution for the Intel/Marvell PXA270. The Linux development publishers have also updated their website with a new look and feel, and posted a LinuxLink Radio episode on inter-process communication. (more…)

Cornet Technology is entering the PCI mezzanine card (PMC) business with two Linux 2.6-compatible expansion cards aimed at military applications. Cornet's CPMC-722 graphics display controller card and CPMC-DSCC high-speed serial communications card are shipping today, says the company. (more…)

British Columbia-based embedded board and development services vendor Techsol announced a customizable touch-panel equipped single-board computer (SBC) based on Linux. Techsol's ARM9-based TPC-43 Medallion is designed for the building automation market, and available with a ZigBee wireless networking option aimed at… (more…)

Discretix has demonstrated its digital rights management (DRM) technology running on a Trolltech Qtopia-based Linux phone. The Discretix Multi-Scheme DRM Client can be used to establish a trusted environment for distributing premium content to devices with or without embedded cryptographic hardware… (more…)

Taiwanese Linux distributor Linpus Technologies has re-emerged with a new distro targeted at ultra-mini PCs (UMPCs), Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and low-cost laptops. Linpus Linux Lite features a dual-mode user interface — one for newbies and the other for experienced Linux users. (more…)

Motorola launched its first Linux/Java phone five years ago today. To commemorate, we've compiled a special report recounting the strategic shifts, vendor partnerships, foundation alliances, and especially the new product launches that brought Linux from desktops and servers into Motorola's newest U9, RAZR2,… (more…)

Ottawa-based Tilcon Software has announced a new version of its embedded GUI (graphical user interface) toolkit for medical, industrial, defense, and automotive devices running Linux and other OSes. (more…)

Emerson Network Power (ENP) announced a dual-core VMEbus single-board computer (SBC) that runs Linux. The MVME7100 is based on a Freescale MPC8641D system-on-chip (SoC) with dual PowerPC e600 processor cores, and is ENP's highest performing VMEbus board to date, says the company. (more…)

The LiMo Foundation has announced it will release a series of application software development kits (SDKs) for its mobile phone specification in the second half of the year. (more…)

MontaVista has integrated a mobile office suite from DataViz in its Mobilinux 5.0 Linux distribution. Documents To Go is said to enable users to open and view Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint email attachments directly on Linux-based mobile devices such as phones. (more…)