In a message to the Linux Kernel Mailing List (LKML) on January 25th, Linus Torvalds made it as plain as day that the Linux operating system is going to stay under GPL (General Public License) 2 and not migrate to GPL 3. (more…)

FSMLabs says its real-time Linux operating system now supports ARINC 653 scheduling, which it describes as a “fully protected and partitioned scheduling environment” targeting avionics control and hardware-in-loop simulation. ARINC 653 support is available through an add-on component for the company's RTLinuxPro development kit. (more…)

A start-up specializing in tools that help developers deploy software on Linux-based appliances and virtual machines has received $6.4 million funding. rPath was founded this month by two former Red Hat VPs. Although the principal focus is enterprise software appliances, the company's tools could also be useful to embedded developers. (more…)

An industry association devoted to fixed-mobile convergence has grown from 21 to 29 member companies. New members of MobileIgnite (Mobile Integrated Go-To-Market Network IP Technology) include Linux smartphone pioneer e28, and Linux VoIP stack vendor HelloSoft, along with a variety of other convergence software and testing specialists. (more…)

Several large chip and handset makers are backing an alliance chartered to bring high-quality television to mobile devices in the US. The Mobile DTV Alliance initially comprises representatives of Intel, Texas Instruments (TI), Motorola, and Nokia, along with US DVB-H (digital video broadcast — handhelds) operator Modeo. (more…)

Ampro Computers says it has “re-introduced” its line of small form-factor, x86 bench-top and wall-mount PCs based on Epic SBCs (single-board computers) and PC/104 expansion modules. The “ReadySystem” line is now available with Linux 2.6 pre-installed, or, starting in Q2, with embedded Windows OSes. (more…)

The smartphone market grew over 70 percent in 2005, and will grow significantly during the next five years, according to In-Stat. However, the high-end devices risk being perceived as “very expensive feature phones” if users fail to download the applications required to make the devices more useful than lower-priced counterparts, the market research firm warns. (more…)

American Arium has updated its flagship debugger for ARM-architecture processors, adding Linux shared libraries debug support for ARM7, ARM9, ARM11, Intel XScale, and TI OMAP cores. SourcePoint 6.2.1 is free to supported users of several Arium hardware debuggers and port analyzers, such as the LC-500 JTAG debugger… (more…)

Opera Software has announced worldwide availability of a free “mini” Web browser for mobile phones, following successful beta testing in Scandinavia. Opera Mini offers a full Web experience to some 700 million low- and mid-range phones that can run Java apps, the company says. (more…)

Neoware has introduced two new thin clients terminals, one said to be the company's “highest performance” thin client. The e90 and e140 both feature compact, space-saving designs and are available with an embedded Linux operating system. (more…)

A Taiwanese software company specializing in DVD software and other home computing software is shipping a packaged Linux-based entertainment OS. PowerCinema Linux, which targets device makers and PC integrators, can turn resource-constrained embedded devices into powerful multimedia devices, according to the company. (more…)

After more than two years, the US and Canadian governments finally gave OpenSSL FIPS 140-2 approval under the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP). The approval opens the door to wider use of Linux and Apache in federal government applications. (more…)

Dutch telecom service provider KPN recently began shipping a Linux-powered cordless videophone in the Netherlands. The VP5500 uses “established standards-based technologies like WiFi and Linux,” and will become available elsewhere in Europe in 2006, according to consumer electronics giant Philips, manufacturer of… (more…)

A company specializing in carrier-class WiFi network management software is shipping an appliance version of its flagship product. The Sputnik Server 1100 offers a way for wireless service providers, carriers, and businesses to buy Sputnik Control Center software pre-installed on a… (more…)

Unicon Systems has used Linux in a pair of inexpensive mobile devices aimed at transferring media files between gadgets such as iPods, PSPs (Playstation Portables), and PMPs (portable media players), freeing users from having to use a PC or laptop for this purpose. (more…)