The Archos 604 offers the best video codec support in the portable media player (PMP) market, says a recent review. OSNews editor Eugenia Loli-Queru recommends the Linux-based device for video playback, but not before knocking its clunky rocker-buttons and slow USB charging. (more…)

Boingo Wireless Inc. has announced a free WiFi software agent for Nokia's Linux-based Internet tablets. The quick-connect agent is said to streamline logins at some 100,000-plus Boingo Mobile hotspots, for users of Nokia's N810 or N800 running Tablet OS 2008. (more…)

LinuxDevices.com is pleased to publish an overview and papers from the Ninth Real-Time Linux Workshop held in Linz, Austria, Nov. 2-3, 2007. The papers, available for free download without registration, span a broad range of topics, ranging from fundamental real-time technologies to… (more…)

A Texas-based startup is shipping a tiny, low-cost ARM9 SBC (single-board computer) with an open hardware design and Linux-based software. Instead of bringing I/O out to high-density surface-mount connectors, the Tin Can Tools “Hammer” SBC has 40 solder-friendly 0.1-inch pins, for easy prototyping of complex designs,… (more…)

MontaVista Software announced a joint partnership with Movial aimed at simplifying Linux mobile device development. The two vendors will jointly integrate, market, and support MontaVista's Mobilinux OS and DevRocket development tools with Movial's high-level Internet Experience Suite (IXS) interface stack,… (more…)

[Updated Nov. 21] — Diamond Systems says it is now shipping an EPIC form-factor single-board computer (SBC) with integrated data acquisition capabilities. The Poseidon features Via's C7 or Eden processors, and supports both Linux- and Windows-based operation, according to the company. (more…)

In China, the world's largest mobile phone market, smartphone sales for Q3 grew 11.3 percent quarter-over-quarter, reports CCID Consulting. However, Linux's share of the market declined, largely due to weakening volumes for Motorola smartphones, the Hong Kong-based market research firm reported. (more…)

[Updated 6 P.M.] — Texas Instruments (TI) is offering open source developers free use of its closed-source toolchain for DSPs (digital signal processors) found in several popular TI OMAP and DM-series RISC/DSP chips. The first-of-its-kind release may lower cost barriers for prospective developers of open source video codecs, motion sensors, and other “number-crunching” applications. (more…)

Kontron has announced a lightweight panel PC for the medical industry, designed to run Linux. The MediClient features fanless operation and low power consumption, making it compatible with battery-driven applications such as mobile nursing stations, according to the company. (more…)

Qualcomm is readying three new Linux-friendly, mid-tier, multi-mode phone chips manufactured with 45nm CMOS technology. Expected to sample in Q4, the QSC7xxx chips have 600MHz ARM11 processors, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM radio, along with a multi-band RF tranceiver supporting an alphabet soup of 3G and beyond protocols. (more…)

A provider of Linux-based 802.11n WiFi arrays has announced a research collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) around 802.11n WiFi. Xirrus will help the Pittsburgh-based university deploy campus-wide 802.11abgn WiFi, with CMU helping to tune Xirrus's… (more…)

O'Reilly is shipping a second edition of Knoppix Hacks. Kyle Rankin's book explores the latest features of the Debian-based live-CD Linux distribution, with a special focus on new “remastering” features. (more…)

A founding Open Handset Alliance (OHA) member is hosting two webinars about porting applications to Google's Linux- and Java-based Android SDK. Java stack and services provider Esmertec says its Jbed Java Virtual Machine (JVM) can serve as a bridge between existing Java ME (Micro Edition) applications and the Android environment. (more…)

This in-depth, hands-on article introduces Android, Google's Linux/Java mobile phone SDK (software development kit). After a tour of Android's tools, documentation, and code samples, it suggests a path for further exploration and concludes with a simple applet showing the power and simplicity of the Android… (more…)

The hotly anticipated Maemo operating system upgrade for the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet has leaked. Early reviewers are impressed with the upgrade's faster performance and Mozilla-based Web browser. (more…)