[Updated Mar. 22] — A European embedded computing specialist has announced a wrist-worn wearable computer that runs embedded Linux or Windows CE. Eurotech's WWPC (“wrist-worn PC”) offers standard PC interfaces, along with several innovative wearable-specific features, the company claims. (more…)

SyChip will soon sample a chip-scale module (CSM) aimed at making VoIP phones more competitive with mobile phones in terms of battery life. The VWLAN7101 CSM supports Linux, and integrates an 802.11b/g WLAN modem, baseband processor, MAC, and a new “SV1000 VoIP Engine” said to improve VoIP call processing efficiency. (more…)

Foreword: This whitepaper discusses the security challenges posed by voice over IP (VoIP) communications in wired and wireless devices such as VoIP servers, gateways, telephones, and mobile handhelds. The author describes a number of techniques that can be used by developers to help protect VoIP devices from security breeches. (more…)

A secure networking products and service company in Finland is shipping a GPL'd VPN (virtual private network) stack for the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet. Stinghorn says its Secure Business Suite (SBS) client gives 770 users access corporate resources protected by its L2TP/IPsec VPN gateway, including email, instant… (more…)

Technologic Systems is shipping an ultra-low-powered SBC (single-board computer) for solar and battery-powered applications. The ARM9-based TS-7260 RevB has flexible input power needs, comes with an embedded Linux 2.4.29 development kit, and can be configured with an SD card slot, custom logic port, or extra TTLs. (more…)

FSMLabs says its commercial real-time Linux operating system now supports two PowerPC-based processors from AMCC targeting storage, networking, software-defined radio, data acquisition, and motor control. RTLinux is available now for AMCC's general-purpose 440EP, as well as its 440GP low-power storage and networking processor. (more…)

New Intel technology could improve desktop and embedded PC performance and battery life significantly, by reducing hard drive latency and minimizing drive activity. Intel's “Robson” technology uses a flash-based nonvolatile memory buffer and intelligent prefetcher to realize a host of potential benefits, according to an article at ExtremeTech. (more…)

A radio module vendor in Italy has launched a line of wireless access points (WAPs) and other infrastructure equipment based on what it calls a “completely open carrier class integrated platform.” Essentia's “Wifless” line comprises surveillance equipment, as well as carrier, enterprise, and military access equipment –… (more…)

Via has announced a next-generation family of mini-ITX boards based on its new C7 processor family. “Epia EN” boards will offer a large performance boost over previous Epia boards, Via says. They target thin clients, car PCs, robotics, medical equipment, kiosks, and server appliances.

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Number two telecom OS provider Enea will release its direct, asynchronous message-passing software for distributed systems under an open source license in June. Described as the “cornerstone” of Enea's telecom RTOSes, the “Linx” IPC (inter-process communications) software scales better than other freely available IPC technologies, such as TIPC (transparent IPC) and Unix sockets, Enea claims. (more…)

Via is shipping an ultra-low-voltage processor claimed to have the highest performance-per-Watt, smallest packaging, and fastest cryptographic engine of any available x86-compatible processor. The “C7-M ULV” supports clock speeds from 1GHz to 1.5GHz, with power requirements between 3.5 and 7.5 Watts. (more…)

Korean consumer electronics vendor Cowon has released a Linux source code tree for its A2 PMP (portable media player). The A2 features a 1.8-inch, 20GB or 30GB hard drive, a 4-inch wide-aspect LCD, and a large 4300mAh battery for impressive claimed media playback times. (more…)

European insurance companies are eager to see emerging wireless M2M (machine-to-machine) technologies and location-based services be applied toward increasing both mobile and fixed-location security, according to telecom market researcher Berg Insight. Insurers now frequently advise customers to install security systems that make use of wireless networks and GPS, Berg says. (more…)

A multimedia networking specialist is demonstrating a media software suite for mobile devices, at the CeBIT trade show in Germany this week. Nero says its Nero Mobile software supports PDAs and phones based on embedded Linux, and lets users browse, play, and organize network-resident media files. (more…)

[Updated Mar. 15, 2006] — A fabless semiconductor company in Belgium has acquired a Belgian embedded Linux, eCos, and DSP software development house. Essensium says it acquired Mind because of the “ever-growing need for embedded software in the development of advanced and complex SoC systems.” (more…)