Manifold Labs used Linux and real-time patches to build a rack-mount plugin player for audio performers and recordists. Plugzilla runs an embedded 2.4-series kernel, supports eight channels of 24bit/96kHz audio, as well as MIDI, and comes with more than 130 plugins, such as reverb, distortion, drum machines, and more. (more…)

The market for network processor chips (NPUs) is finally taking off, according to a research report released this week by In-Stat. Following several sluggish years, NPU unit shipments grew 86 percent between 2003 and 2004, and revenue is expected to approach $500 million by the end of 2008. (more…)

The fifth annual FOSDEM (free and open source software developer's European meeting) includes several tracks that may interest embedded Linux developers. Set for February 26th and 27th in Brussels, Belgium, the free event includes tracks on development tools, the Linux kernel, and computing grids and clusters. (more…)

An annual conference for software quality managers and testers has issued a call for papers for its fourth annual event, set for October 25th and 26th in Bilbao, Spain. ICSTEST-E (International conference on software testing) will feature tutorials and presentations on embedded software, safety-critical, and real-time systems. (more…)

Olympus has introduced a pair of rugged PDA-like devices dubbed “Tough Digital Assistants” (TDAs). The slim, light-weight TDAs run Linux 2.4.18 (with Qtopia v1.7.0) on a Freescale MXL processor, come with up to 128MB RAM and 256MB Flash, and offer built-in Bluetooth and optional 802.11b wireless. (more…)

Juniper Networks used a real-time POSIX core from FSMLabs, along with BSD, in a line of service routers for branch offices. The J-series Service Router line runs RTCore BSD, along with Juniper's BSD-based “JunOS” operating environment, ensuring high QoS (quality-of-service) even on congested networks, Juniper says. (more…)

Canadian Linux PDA specialist Empower Technologies has opened a US subsidiary in Redmond, Wash. The subsidiary will demonstrate a Linux environment running on a dual-core Texas Instruments (TI) RISC/DSP chip at the TI Developer Conference (TIDC), set for Feb. 15-17 in Houston, Texas. (more…)

Intec Automation is shipping a $200 credit-card sized SBC (single-board computer) small enough to embed in actuators and tight enclosures, yet powerful enough to run uClinux. The SteriodMicros WildFire microcontroller is based on a 64MHz ColdFire processor, and targets industrial control and automation. (more…)

Sonos says it is now shipping its Linux-based home music distribution system, unveiled earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Sonos Digital Music System is a multi-zone wired or wireless music networking system with a stylish Linux-based remote control. (more…)

Foreword — This whitepaper from embedded software development tools vendor Viosoft discusses the selection of a graphical debugger, examining various considerations to help developers choose the right tool for board bring-up, kernel porting, and application development. “A good debugger should be the single most powerful weapon in your development arsenal, helping to improve the quality of your… (more…)

The Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF) hosted a technical conference for members and their invitees earlier this week. LinuxDevices.com's roving reporter attended an interesting session devoted to technology demonstrations — many of an experimental nature — and assembled this comprehensive report. (more…)

A mobile phone software vendor will ally with a commercial Linux provider to produce a Java/Linux software stack for mobile phones. Esmertec has chosen MontaVista Linux as the reference operating system for its Jbed Advanced multitasking J2ME platform, and will market the combined solution to phone manufacturers. (more…)

A series of one-day conferences on embedded systems and real-time computing will be held during the next three months in cities around the US and Italy. The Real-Time and Embedded Computing Conference (RTECC) events will include embedded Linux sessions and demonstrations. (more…)

A startup founded by former SnapGear CEO Bob Waldie will unveil a family of open source KVM switches (keyboard, video, monitor) and console management products in mid-February. Opengear will sell products based on open source KVM software that the company says it will actively support. (more…)

Sensoria used Linux in a wireless mesh router for first responders that has also been deployed by front-line US infantry in Afghanistan. The EnRoute400 runs a 2.6-series Linux kernel, supports a variety of wireless radios, and uses a proprietary mesh networking stack that supports voice, video, and other high-bandwidth signals. (more…)