Debuggers are indispensable for the vast majority of Linux developers, yet developers are not completely satisfied with debuggers available today, according to an Evans Data Corp. (EDC) survey of 419 Linux developers. The finding resembles that from a similar EDC study last year. (more…)

Real Digital Media (RDM) has used Linux and a Via-based embedded computer board to build a networked digital signage product with Flash and central management capabilities. The company expects the digital signage market to standardize on Linux, because its stability gives it “obvious advantages.” (more…)

Key issues for the future of Digital Rights Management (DRM) are the question of proprietary versus “open” technologies, and whether governments should get involved, according to a new report from ABI Research. “We're at a very interesting crossroads right now,” says Vamsi Sistla, ABI's director of residential entertainment technologies. (more…)

IBM has published the following technical articles, tutorials, and downloads on its developerWorks Website. 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. Enjoy . . . ! (more…)

Esmertec, Jaluna, Mellanox, MySQL, Symbian, Skype, and Tao are among the 100 companies named this week to “The 2005 Red Herring 100 Europe,” in what marks the publication's first “top 100” list focused exclusively on the most promising startups in Europe. (more…)

The Simputer “has not yet reached the rural market in a big way,” says Simputer co-inventor Swami Manohar, according to an Associated Press report. Simputer-maker PicoPeta, which began shipping the Simputer one year ago, has sold fewer than 2,000 units, well below its 50,000 unit first-year plan, (more…)

Mobile device-makers and communications carriers eager to offer broadband services would do well to jump on the HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) bandwagon, according to a pair of reports issued by ABI Research this week. The key prerequisites are materializing, as next-generation UMTS networks begin rolling out in Europe (more…)

Arcom has introduced “lite” versions of two XScale-based PC/104 CPU modules. The Viper-Lite and Mercury-Lite support embedded Linux, and are configured for high volume, cost sensitive applications, according to the company. (more…)

O'Reilly has brought out a third edition of Learning the Bash Shell, by Cameron Newham and Bill Rosenblatt. The book covers bash as a user interface, and as a scripting environment, and targets beginning and advanced users. (more…)

IntelliCom has updated its uClinux-based system for remotely controlling and monitoring industrial equipment. The NetBiter webSCADA Modbus Gateway has been given a “major software update,” the company says, that adds support for 200 data points, alarms by email and SMS, and more. (more…)

Axiomtek has launched a new, high-end model in its line of off-the-shelf network appliance platforms. The NA-1801 is based primarily on Intel silicon, supports Linux, and targets VPN gateways, network bandwidth controllers, SSL appliances, firewalls, and IDS/IPS (intrusion detection/prevention systems). (more…)

Via has released source code to Linux 2.6 and Xorg/XFree86 drivers for the Unichrome graphics capabilities on northbridge chips in its popular mini-ITX boards. The drivers offer 2D, 3D, and hardware MPEG2/4 acceleration, as well as video overlay, and support both the CLE266 and CN400 northbridges. (more…)

Five years after becoming a web standard, scalable vector graphics (SVG) are poised to proliferate, according to Publish magazine. Mandatory support for SVG in 3G smartphones, and SVG support in forthcoming versions of Opera and Firefox browsers are driving the trend, the article suggests. (more…)

Motorola has revealed further details of its newly revised Linux-based MP3 player and cameraphone. The E680i adds support for stereo bluetooth audio connectivity, an improved interface with full HTML browser, and user-upgradable storage, Motorola says. Still lacking is quad-band GSM support, which would increase US usability. (more…)

BlueCat Networks, of Ontario, Canada, has used Linux to build a dedicated DHCP server that it says offers capabilities useful in enterprise VoIP (voice-over-IP) environments, including increased DHCP availability, reliability, and manageability. The Adonis 500 DHCP server is available in standard and embedded versions, and includes Java-based management software. (more…)