3Com's OfficeConnect SecureRouter (3CR860-95) and OfficeConnect VPN Firewall (3CR870-95) are Linux-based VPN routers for the SOHO (small office, home office) market. 3Com offers a free but unsupported Linux-MIPS kernel source tree and cross-compiling toolchain for the devices, making them potentially interesting to embedded Linux hackers. (more…)

Sun will position Solaris against Red Hat Linux in low-end servers, while embracing Linux as well. Sun's newly clarified dual-OS strategy includes plans for a Linux compatibility layer for Solaris and an open source version of Solaris, and it increasingly resembles Linux strategies adopted by traditional embedded RTOS companies. (more…)

InHand plans to launch in October a hardware reference design for handheld and wireless devices. The new ATP-27X will use an Intel XScale PXA270 (formerly “Bulverde”), an ARM-based SoC (system-on-chip) optimized for wireless mobile multimedia applications. (more…)

Handheld and portable consumer gadgets may soon have their own storage interface, thanks to a new standard being concocted by Toshiba, Hitachi, Seagate, Marvell, and Intel. As reported at DeviceForge.com, the group's proposed CE-ATA (consumer electronics AT-attachment) standard will address the interface requirements of small form-factor drives used in consumer devices such as media players, GPSes,… (more…)

Ten technology panels on embedded systems featuring 60 industry leaders will be offered at this year's GSPx workshop and expo, according to organizers. The event bills itself as the “international embedded solutions event,” and will also feature a New Products forum featuring embedded hardware, software, and tools. (more…)

[updated Sep. 22, 2004] — Snom has launched a new Linux-based VoIP (voice over IP) phone that supports the latest security standards that make it “practically impossible” to tap VoIP calls, the Berlin-based company says. The Snom 190 targets business users. (more…)

Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) has published a 96-page report on Open Source software and its potential benefits to business and government. This whitepaper provides an introduction to the report and its findings. At the conclusion, a link is provided for downloading the full report, entitled “Open Source: Open for Business.” (more…)

Mocana has revised its embedded-specific SSL library, adding support for new processor architectures and advanced authentication processes. Embedded Security Suite (ESS) can now be used in perimeter security devices, Mocana says, as well as to add low-footprint secure Web and SSH interfaces to embedded Linux (and other) devices. (more…)

[Updated Sep. 23] — Amstrad has used embedded Linux to build an inexpensive videophone. The £100 (about $180) Amstrad E3 enables users to send email and SMS/MMS messages, surf the Web, and videoconference with other E3 users over a 56K modem connection to a UK service provider. (more…)

A senior official has denied rumors floated yesterday by PC Pro and others that MontaVista will be acquired by Sun Microsystems. No such deal will happen any time soon, according to Kelly Herrell, VP of strategic operations with MontaVista and one of several former Sun employees recently hired by MontaVista. (more…)

Texas Instruments (TI) is delivering embedded Linux in a low-cost development kit for an ARM-plus-DSP SoC targeting the portable data terminal (PDT) market. The $295 OMAP5912 Starter Kit (OSK) includes a board, a MultiICE JTAG interface, and MontaVista Linux, with optional third-party support packages also available. (more…)

A vendor of Linux-based home entertainment servers has announced that its flagship product now supports an inexpensive media adapter. Interact-TV says its Telly server supports the $200 Slim Devices Squeezebox, a small, WiFi-enabled gadget that uses a number of open source software… (more…)

Chris Lanfear, an embedded industry analyst with Venture Development Corp. (VDC), has published his annual report on the Embedded Systems Conference in Boston. The report captures highlights, trends, themes, and vendor announcements, and reveals the winner of VDC's “Embeddies” award for the best of show. (more…)

ARC International has announced that its newest configurable, licensable RISC/DSP processor core now supports Linux. An embedded Linux kernel and toolchain for the ARC 700 will be available on October 1 from Codito Technologies, along with commercial support. The chip targets VoIP and digital wireless, imaging, and audio applications. (more…)

Foreword: Chris Lanfear, an embedded industry analyst with Venture Development Corp. (VDC), has published his annual report on the Embedded Systems Conference in Boston. The report captures highlights, trends, themes, and vendor announcements, and announces the winner of VDC's “Embeddies” award for the best of show. (more…)