TimeSys has produced another entertaining podcast on the always lively topic of real-time capabilities in the 2.6 kernel. Having defined lots of real-time related terms in last week's episode, co-hosts Gene Sally and Maciej Halasz explore ways developers can avoid or control interrupt, scheduler, and kernel latency. (more…)

The East Coast version of CMP's semi-annual embedded developer conference will once again include a track devoted to Linux and open source. Set for Sept. 18-21 in Boston, the Embedded Systems Conference East is co-located this year with conferences on Web development, software development, and RFID. (more…)

A year later than expected, Enea has released an open source Linux version of its flagship IPC (interprocess communication) stack. The GPL/BSD-licensed Linx stack could allow for tighter control- and data-plane integration in mobile phones and telecom infrastructure equipment combining Linux with Enea's OSE/OSEck RTOS (real-time operating system). (more…)

Audio transmitted across Bluetooth could provide “perfect, audiophile-quality sound” as soon as next year, according to Open Interface North America Inc. (OINA). The company claims its proprietary, patent-pending “SOUNDabout Lossless” Bluetooth codec to be capable of delivering remote digital audio that is “bit for bit” faithful to the original. (more…)

[Updated Aug. 6] — A free GNOME-based Linux distribution for mobile devices such as smartphones and PDAs has achieved a major release. OpenedHand's Poky Linux 3.0 (“Blinky”) is based on X11, GTK+, and the Matchbox window manager, and includes an impressive-looking new application framework and theme called “Sato… (more…)

Despite the recent announcement of “DRM-free” music tracks by Apple and Amazon.com, Digital Rights Management (DRM) is not about to go away. At least, that's the main conclusion of a report, “Digital Rights Management Update,” made available this week by the market research firm In-Stat. (more…)

A software development firm in Montpellier, France recently released a new open-source browser intended for use in consumer device applications. Pleyo's “Origyn Web Browser” (OWB) is based on the open-source WebKit Web browser engine, and targets mobile phones, PMPs, PVRs, GPS gadgets, and more. (more…)

Lineo Solutions has introduced an embedded Linux BSP (board support package) aimed at developers of embedded systems and devices incorporating MIPS32 34K RISC processor cores. The new “uLinux Elite” BSP targets MIPS's “Malta” development platform and comes with CodeSourcery development tools, said to support multithreaded functions. (more…)

Arcom has introduced an EBX-format single-board computer (SBC) supporting a range of high-end Intel processors, including Core 2 Duo chips. The high-performance “Gemini” SBC runs Linux and accommodates up to 3GB of SDRAM, along with an extensive set of PC-style interfaces, including four gigabit Ethernet ports. (more…)

Foreword: This article by Jean-Charles Verdie, CTO of software development firm Pleyo, introduces the Origyn Web Browser, a new open-source browser that targets a wide range of consumer electronics (CE) devices, including mobile phones, PMPs (portable media players), and STBs (set-top boxes). (more…)

STMicroelectronics (STM) has released a new chip in its Nomadik family of low-cost, multimedia-oriented system-on-chip (SoC) processors. The STn8811A12 runs embedded Linux and targets products such as personal media players (PMPs), Internet appliances, and video conferencing. (more…)

“Dexter” is a robot said to walk more like a human than any yet created. He and his wheeled cousin, “Monty,” will be among the attendees at the RoboDevelopment Conference and Exposition, to be held this October in San Jose, Calif. (more…)

Michel Gien, founder of embedded virtualization specialist VirtualLogix, will give an hour-long presentation on the application of virtualization technology to Linux-based mobile phones and real-time applications, at LinuxWorld in San Francisco next week. The company will also demonstrate the technology on mobile handsets and digital multimedia, it says. (more…)

Microsoft's Windows Embedded team is offering “the biggest selection of [free] apps outside of Moscone Center,” in connection with next week's LinuxWorld conference in San Francisco. The “apps,” in this case, are appetizers, plus free beer and wine. (more…)

A France-based e-book specialist is readying a Linux-powered successor to its earlier Windows CE-based e-book reader devices. (more…)