Phidgets is shipping a faster, more I/O-rich version of its Debian Linux-based single board computer (SBC) for sensing and control applications. The PhidgetSBC2 cranks up its ARM9-based Samsung SC32410 processor to 400MHz, boosts flash memory to 512MB, and increases USB connectivity to six ports, while still offering an Ethernet port, Wi-Fi adapter, and integrated PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 I/O board.

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Google showed off Android 3.0 on the Motorola Xoom, while confirming that this new “Honeycomb” release is only for tablets. The company also debuted a new Android Market Webstore, which enables app purchases and downloads via a web browser.

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Globalscale Technologies announced a new Linux-based mini-PC incorporating the Marvell SheevaPlug Plug Computer design. The DreamPlug offers a 1.2GHz Marvell Armada processor, dual gigabit Ethernet ports, dual USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and audio functionality, and uses less than five Watts, says the company.

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Radiomobile is now shipping two rugged, fanless vehicle computers based on Mini-ITX motherboards. The MCT 8200 has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and up to 64GB of SSD (solid state disk) storage, while the MCT 8500 steps up to a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, the company says.

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Axiomtek announced a 3.5-inch SBC that offers DDR3 memory along with Intel's Atom N455, D425, or D525 processors. The Capa801 includes CompactFlash and Mini PCI Express expansion, two RJ45 ports for gigabit Ethernet, six USB 2.0 ports, plus both VGA and LVDS video outputs, according to the company.

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Blue Chip Technology announced an expandable, slimline PC designed for digital signage applications. The AMD-based Vario E3 includes dual video outputs (VGA and DVI-D/HDMI), 7:1 audio output, up to 16GB of RAM, plus optional PCI Express x16 and PCI 2.2 expansion cards, according to the company.

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T-Mobile offered new details on the Samsung Galaxy S 4G, as well as LG's G-Slate Android 3.0-based tablet, both tuned to the carrier's HSPA+ 4G network. The Galaxy S 4G brings the familiar 1GHz, four-inch Galaxy S design to 4G, while the G-Slate runs on an Nvidia Tegra 2, offering 3D capabilities and an unusual 8.9-inch size.

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Swedish telecom software vendor Enea and Pittsburgh-based embedded Linux tools provider Timesys Corp. announced a partnership on embedded Linux solutions for multicore processors. The agreement calls for Enea to distribute Timesys' LinuxLink embedded Linux platform build system worldwide, and for both companies to collaborate on Linux development tools for standalone and heterogeneous multicore applications.

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Qnap Systems announced additions to its Linux-based Turbo NAS family of network attached storage devices for the home/SOHO market. The TS-x12 lineup includes the four-drive (up to 8TB) TS-412, the two-bay TS-212, plus the single-drive TS-112, each providing a 1.2GHz Marvell 6281 processor, 256MB of DDR2 memory, plus gigabit Ethernet and USB connectivity.

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Datasound Laboratories (DSL) announced a compact “embedded controller” based on a 300MHz DM&P Vortex86SX CPU. The Icop VSX-6117 is just 3.14 x 1.96 inches, uses only 320mA at 5V, includes 128MB of soldered-on DDR2 memory and 2GB of flash storage, has a 10/100 Ethernet port, and includes EIDE and x-ISA expansion, according to the company.

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The new LibreOffice open-source office suite “proves that forking isn't always the kiss of death,” says this eWEEK review. New features in the Linux-ready release — including wider document format support, SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) import into Draw and Writer, enhanced presentation support, and an improved “save as” feature — should give OpenOffice some robust competition.

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MeeGo-based tablets and netbooks will start shipping in the second quarter, shortly after the release of MeeGo 1.2, says an industry report. Meanwhile, the Linux Foundation (LF) announced three new MeeGo training courses, along with three Android related courses — the first LF courses offered for either mobile Linux operating system.

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Educational tools and software company Brainchild has begun taking $300 pre-orders for an Android 2.1-powered, educational tablet aimed at the K-8 market. Designed to run the company's web-based “Achiever” software suite, the Kineo tablet is built around an 800MHz dual-core processor and offers a seven-inch, 800 x 480 touchscreen, Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB, and SD expansion, says the company.

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Phytec is readying a 2.8 x 2.3-inch computer module for medical and industrial-control applications, based on the Cortex-A8 Sitara AM3517 system-on-chip (SoC) from Texas Instruments. The PhyCore-AM3517 System on Module (SOM) is equipped with 256 or 512MB of DDR2 RAM and from 128MB to 512MB of flash storage, runs Linux, Android, or Windows Embedded, and has interfaces including CAN bus, 10/100 Ethernet, and USB Host/OTG, the company says.

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At the Linux.conf.au conference, an Australian-based “Lunar Numbat” project presented its plan for a Linux-based flight control computer for a lunar spacecraft. The open source flight computer will be part of the “White Label Space” entry in Google's $20 million Lunar X-Prize, to be awarded to a team that can send a working rover to the Moon and transmit back images.

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