Italy-based embedded board and system vendor Eurotech continues its acquisitive spree, announcing the purchase of Applied Data Systems (ADS), a Maryland-based manufacturer of board- and system-level embedded computers, for $42.5 million. Eurotech says it will continue to scout out acquisition opportunities in the U.S., U.K., and continental Europe. (more…)

Taiwanese systems integrator AR Infotek has built an “entry-level” 1U rackmount server appliance platform around an AMD x86-compatible embedded processor. The Teak 3258 is based on a passively cooled Geode LX-800 processor, and features soldered-down RAM, and two LAN bypass ports. (more…)

[Updated Dec. 14] — Taiwan-based e-book specialist eRead is shipping a Linux-based electronic book reader featuring an electrophoretic (aka electronic paper) display (EPD). The low-power, thin, light-weight Star eBook STK-101 can be used to read as many as 60 books on a single charge, the company… (more…)

[Updated Dec. 7] — Sony-contributed patches aimed at adding machine-specific features for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) have been merged into the stable 2.6.20 kernel tree. (more…)

Trolltech's Linux/Qtopia-powered Greenphone aims to provide a real (rather than emulated) hardware platform for mobile phone application developers to test their applications on. (more…)

Japanese mobile phone middleware specialist Aplix has formed a strategic alliance with MontaVista, and has taken an equity investment in the company. Aplix says its partnership with MontaVista will enable it to offer “fully integrated solutions” for all chipsets supported by MontaVista. (more…)

Taiwanese pop superstar Jay Chou launched Motorola's thin, Linux-powered Rokr E6 multimedia phone, at the ITU Telecom World tradeshow this week in Hong Kong. The fourth-generation music phone is just over half an inch thick (14mm), and features a 2-megapixel camera and business card reader. (more…)

SafeNet is shipping an “integrated IPSec VPN platform” software said to support VPN connections from next-generation mobile devices. QuickSec 4.1 Server and Client Toolkits helps developers incorporate the most current IPSec security standards, such as MobIKE, into carrier-grade security gateways, network routers, mobile VPN devices, and desktop VPN clients, according to the company. (more…)

Foreword: Trolltech's Linux/Qtopia-powered Greenphone aims to provide a real (rather than emulated) hardware platform for mobile phone application developers to test their applications on. This hands-on review takes an in-depth look at the phone's software environment, and at the development tools supplied with the… (more…)

The embedded and kernel development track at a leading European technical conference is calling for papers. The 2007 edition of FOSDEM (Free and Open Source Developer's European Meeting), set for Feb. 24-25 in Brussels, offers a forum for embedded developer and team achievements, organizers say. (more…)

A newly published book includes a chapter about installing Linux on iRobot's “Roomba” robotic vacuum cleaner. Hacking Roomba, by Tod E. Kurt, includes a variety of fun robotic hacks and projects, none of which will void the device's warranty or prevent its operation as a vacuum, according to the… (more…)

PMC-Sierra is sampling a family of Linux-based residential gateway designs that support next-generation broadband network protocols such as ADSL2+, VDSL2, EPON (Ethernet passive optical networking), and fiber-to-the-home/curb. The designs are based on the company's MSP7100 “multi-service processor,” and target “triple-play” (voice-video-data) service delivery. (more…)

3Dlabs is demonstrating 3D GPS navigation applications on its newly unveiled media processor for mobile devices, at the Navigation USA tradeshow this week in San Jose, Calif. (more…)

Esmertec says its pre-integrated mobile phone application suite was selected by a design firm in China for a Linux handset that will ship in Europe and China before year's end. Yuhua TelTech's Linux-based handset will use Esmertec's Jbed Java virtual machine (JVM) and “[email protected]” application suite. (more…)

[Updated 4 P.M.] — As predicted last month, MontaVista has attracted $21 million in new funding, in a round led by Siemens Venture Capital. The embedded and mobile Linux specialist will use the funds to build cash reserves, expand its product portfolio, and “attract talent,” it says. (more…)