Fluffy Spider Technologies (FST) and Open Kernel Labs (OKL) are readying a jointly-developed software stack that targets Linux-based embedded systems and devices. Due for release by year end, the combined stack integrates the former's “FancyPants” lightweight GUI (graphical user interface) platform with the latter's “OKL4” microkernel and virtualization technology. (more…)

A la Mobile has added advanced security features to its embedded Linux stack for mobile phones. New security-oriented features in its Convergent Linux Platform (CLP) are said to include pre-boot OS signature checks, filesystem encryption, application sandboxing, and secure OTA (over-the-air) firmware upgrade capabilities. (more…)

Intel has released a multicore development library under the “GPLv2 with runtime exception” license. Intel Threading Building Blocks is a cross-platform, portable library aimed at improving the performance of C++ applications on multicore processors, without requiring deep developer understanding of parallel programming theory. (more…)

TimeSys says its online service for embedded Linux developers now supports a Freescale PowerQUICC III SoC (system-on-chip) aimed at networking, communications, and industrial control applications. The newest “LinuxLink” subscription includes a distribution for Freescale's MPC8544E reference board, along with processor-optimized 2.6.21 Linux kernels, optional IDE and testing tools, and ongoing updates. (more…)

Levelstar used embedded Linux to create a PDA (personal digital assistant) for visually impaired users. The “Icon” has a custom hardware design with built-in 30GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB, and comes with a full complement of “life managing software,” much of it written from… (more…)

Wind River is shipping a new version of its application hot-patching and remote debugging product for software and device testing facilities. Lab Diagnostics 2.1 adds features aimed at speeding up automated testing, as well as better support for large, complex test builds, the company said. (more…)

Levelstar used embedded Linux to create a PDA (personal digital assistant) for visually impaired users. The “Icon” has a custom hardware design with built-in 30GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB, and comes with a full complement of “life managing software,” much of it written from… (more…)

This article describes how to build your own silent, fast, eco-friendly Linux-based PC for use in the living room. The PC is based on a high-end Via mini-ITX board, passively cooled Serener case with heatpipe cooling, Debian Linux, and a little creative embedded elbow grease. (more…)

An industry group comprised primarily of NEPs (network equipment providers) has gained eight members, swelling its ranks to more than two dozen. New Scope Alliance members include providers of virtualization software, high availability middleware, and telecom-oriented Linux operating systems, along with Nortel, one of the last major NEPs to join. (more…)

Ericsson and Texas Instruments (TI) plan to create mobile phone hardware reference designs around Ericsson's 3G baseband processors and TI's ARM-based “OMAP” applications processors. The designs will run “open” OSes such as Linux, and come pre-validated to meet specific operator requirements, the companies claim. (more…)

Emerson Network Power's embedded computing business (formerly Artesyn) says its flagship AdvancedTCA (ATCA) blade and Processor PMC (PrPMC) module are now supported by MontaVista's carrier-grade Linux distribution. (more…)

Silicon vendor Via Technologies has revealed the latest member of its diminutive nano-ITX form-factor motherboard family. The “Epia NR” aims a fanless 1.0GHz Via C7 processor combined with the company's high-integration CX700 core-logic chip at embedded applications in healthcare, retail, and industrial environments,… (more…)

O'Reilly has published a book about a C++ library from Intel aimed at improving application performance on multi-core processors. Intel Threading Building Blocks, by James Reinders, documents TBB, a cross-platform, portable runtime library said to abstract the low-level threading details necessary… (more…)

[Updated 11:15 AM] — HP on July 23 announced plans to acquire thin client specialist Neoware, in a deal valued at $214 million. HP expects the acquisition to boost its thin client Linux software, and help it compete in the emergent market for virtualized client computing. (more…)

A vendor of high-end test and measurement equipment for the semiconductor fabrication market has switched to Linux. Keithley Instruments said its S600 Series Parametric Test Systems are more stable and have a longer service life, now that their embedded control computer runs Linux instead of Solaris. (more…)