Does Microsoft's “PlaysForSure” motto really mean it plays for sure? Does Apple's “FairPlay” play fair? Not exactly, says Linux-based media device vendor, Neuros, which is promoting an “Unlocked” media trademark in response to branded, proprietary digital rights management (DRM)… (more…)

Jeff Campbell (aka “Mr. Zonbu”) has reviewed the Linux-based Zonbu Notebook. His final review score — 8.5 out of 10 — balances praise for thorough features, sharp display, and excellent support, with some questions over performance and design. (more…)

A new PowerPC-based PrPMC (Processor PCI Mezzanine Card) is available from esd-electronics system design gmbh. The Linux-compatible PMC-CPU/440 CPU module can automatically switch between monarch (PrPMC) and non-monarch (PMC) mode according to the system's requirements. (more…)

Advantech has extended its range of “embedded automation computers” with a system that offers Pentium M or Celeron M processing power and runs Linux. The UNO-2176 offers PC/104 and CompactFlash expansion, plus two 10/100 Ethernet and six serial ports, the company says. (more…)

A low-cost laptop for children based on Intel's Classmate PC design is now shipping in computer stores in Vietnam. Hacao's Classmate PC is pre-installed with Hacao Linux 2.16 Professional, a Vietnamese-language distribution based on Puppy Linux. (more…)

Just in time for Christmas, there's a new version of perl, the first in over five years. The first update since 2002 to the “practical extraction and report language,” perl 5.10 adds both new language features and an improved perl interpreter, according to community site Perl Buzz. (more…)

O'Reilly has published a Power Tools book about the X Window System. Chris Tyler's X Power Tools purports to fill a void caused by the lack of recent books about the 20-year-old graphical interface, and it offers a special focus on Linux. (more…)

Netgear has introduced five Linux-based networked attached storage (NAS) products. Targeted at “prosumers” and small to medium-sized businesses, Netgear's ReadyNAS NV+ systems offer higher capacities than previous Infrant models, and come in 1.5TB (terabyte), 2TB, 3TB, and 4TB versions, as well as a 4TB rackmount version. (more…)

Kontron has announced the first board in its newly proposed “nanoETXexpress” standard for CPU modules. The nanoETXexpress-VX8 is based on a mysterious new highly integrated x86-compatible chip(set), measures 2.16 x 3.3 inches (55 x 84 mm), and targets hand-held medical and data devices, Kontron said. (more…)

A San Francisco-based startup selling media-sharing software for home PCs and mobile devices has ported its flagship application to Nokia's Linux-based Internet tablet. Webot says its “Webot” software lets Nokia's WiFi-connected N8x0 Internet Tablets render music or photos stored on remote Linux, Windows, or Mac PCs. (more…)

Bredex GmbH announced the release of version 2.0 of its Linux-compatible GUIdancer automated GUI test-tool. The Eclipse-based GUIdancer now supports the testing of Java (Swing, SWT/RCP) and “HTML applications,” and has added a reusable projects feature. (more…)

STMicroelectronics (STM) has announced volume production of an SoC (system-on-chip) intended for standard-definition set-top boxes (STBs). Designed with an emphasis on low cost, the STi5202 uses the SH-4 core and supports Linux, the company says. (more…)

Issaquah, Washington-based McObject has hired former Metrowerks VP Christopher J. Mureen as chief operating officer (COO). Mureen will have primary responsibility over sales and marketing at the company, which sells the ExtremeDB in-memory, real-time database for embedded platforms, including Linux. (more…)

Kontron has announced a cute little 3U, five-slot MicroTCA system that will ship pre-installed with Wind River Linux. The OM6040 boasts “single-star” PCI Express (PCIe) and Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) backplanes, and support for either PowerPC- or IA-based AMC (advanced mezzanine card) processor modules. (more…)

Kontron has expanded its JRex family of 3.5-inch single board computers (SBCs) with a new model that includes a PC/104-Plus expansion slot. While smaller than the classic PC/104-Plus form factor, the Linux-compatible “JRexplus-LX” can be used with most available PC/104 cards, Kontron says. (more…)