Writing for EE Times, Charles J. Murray once again questions the Embedded Linux business model . . .

” . . . The upstart OS, which has ridden a tidal wave of developer devotion in recent years, may be at a crossroads, according to industry analysts. As popular as it is among certain devotees, Linux can't flourish in the embedded market unless its suppliers can find ways to make money from it. At issue, they say, is whether Linux's most prominent advantage — its royalty-free status — will still be compelling if suppliers find other ways to charge for Linux-based products . . . “

“Suppliers of Linux-based software and tools appear to be profoundly confident of their existing business models. The biggest such vendors have publicized a steady stream of design wins and business successes in recent weeks, in hopes of offsetting the negative publicity resulting from recent layoffs . . .”

“Recent successes aside, however, industry analysts are not yet convinced that such models will yield booming businesses. Most are not sure that a service model under which suppliers collect fees for helping integrate Linux into customers' products will prove a strong foundation for large-scale growth . . .”

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