Actis Computer claims to be shipping the first “COM Express Compact” module to be based on a PowerPC processor. The highly-compact XCOM-9347 integrates a low-power, Freescale MPC8347E PowerQUICC II Pro processor, along with graphics, networking, and other interface ports, and is supplied with Linux support. (more…)

IBM has published the following new technical articles, tutorials, and downloads on its DeveloperWorks and AlphaWorks websites. They cover a range of interesting (though not necessarily embedded) technical topics, primarily related to Linux and open source system development. Some require free registration. (more…)

Just three months after unveiling its proposed standard for PC/104-like self-stacking modules based on USB 2.0, Micro/sys has announced its second StackableUSB-based single-board computer (SBC). The SBC1496 implements a set of PC-compatible functions including graphics and networking, and can run Linux from an on-board… (more…)

Analysis — Skype, the well-known VoIP (voice over IP) software provider, has never been known for its quickness in getting Linux releases out, but about a year after the company started work on Skype 1.3, it has announced the release of the alpha for Skype 1.4. (more…)

[Updated May 4] — 6Wind says its commercial Linux networking stack supports a Continuous Computing (CCPU) ATCA board powered by two MIPS64-compatible multi-core CPUs. The stack is available in an “ADS” symmetrical multiprocessing variant for computationally intensive applications, or an “SDS” symmetrical multiprocessing variant with a fast data path. (more…)

SMobile Systems has released a software suite that protects against mobile malware at the network level. Network Shield offers anti-virus; content, URL, and image filtering; and anti-spam capabilities for multimedia messaging (MMS) and downloadable content on wireless carrier networks, according to SMobile. (more…)

The market for cellular radio modules that target M2M (machine-to-machine) communications applications will grow from 18 million units in 2006 to 90 million units in 2012, forecasts ABI Research. However, commoditization and shrinking margins make for an “extremely difficult market” for module vendors, the market research firm said. (more…)

A privately held vendor of Linux-based NAS (network attached storage) appliances has been acquired by a large consumer electronics vendor. Netgear will pay $60 million in cash for Infrant Technologies, which offers a “ReadyNAS” product line based on a custom Linux implementation… (more…)

Most presentations from the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF) conference held Apr. 17-19, 2007 in Santa Clara, Calif. are now available at the CELF WiKi. The event featured 52 deeply technical presentations, many describing original kernel development projects aimed at improving Linux for use in devices. (more…)

A company in Bangalore, India, is offering a chip-like embedded computer module that comes with Linux 2.6.19 pre-installed. Eilabs's LinSeed “soft chip” measures 1.2 x 1.6-inches (30 x 40mm) and integrates an ARM9 core, 32MB of RAM, and 16MB of flash memory, among other functions. (more…)

Commell has released a compact, multimedia-oriented, PC-compatible single-board computer (SBC) with a claimed maximum power requirement of 5 watts. The LE-365 is based on Via's Eden processor and highly-integrated CX700M chipset, and targets multimedia, entertainment, and productivity applications. (more…)

ARM Ltd. is the first company to license Futuremark's OpenGL ES 2.0 3D graphics benchmarks, Futuremark reports. The 3DMarkMobile ES 2.0 benchmark product and its SimulationMark ES 2.0 product for pre-silicon design testing will help ARM objectively evaluate graphics IP (intellectual property) performance, Futuremark said. (more…)

Two companies have partnered on a virtualization approach for single-core PEDs (PIN entry devices) that is claimed capable of supporting PCI-PED (payment card industry PED) certification. Running on Innova Card's USIP chip, Trango's single-core Hypervisor architecture is “at least as secure and ready for certification” as multi-chip or multi-core designs, Trango said. (more…)

A website offering software quality and security analyses of 150 open source software projects will add 100 more in a couple of days. Scan.coverity.com will add analyses of Blender, GIMP, and other “end-user professional applications,” to better show off the capabilities of Coverity's software quality and security analysis tools. (more…)

Hitachi has started shipping a 3.5-inch hard disk drive with a nominal capacity of 1 terabyte (TB). Available now at online retailers for $450, the 7K1000 has five platters spinning at 7,200 rpm, 10 heads, 32MB of buffer cache, and a 3.0Gb/s Serial-ATA (SATA) interface. (more…)