The low-cost computing appliance formerly known as the AMD PIC (“personal Internet computer”) may be found running Linux, at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) this week. Now known as the “decTOP,” the device is being demonstrated by General Software, developer its BIOS firmware.

AMD introduced the Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) in 2004, as an aspect of its 50×15 program, which aims to provide 50 percent of the world's population with Internet access by 2015. However, after failing to generate “material revenue” from the product, the company quietly killed the PIC late last year.

Originally, the PIC was tied to Windows CE by General Software, which developed the device's BIOS software. This enabled the device to be marketed at cost or as a loss leader by service providers, with the assurance that the device would not become the next NetPliance I-Opener.

Now, the PIC has been re-incarnated by Data Evolution Corp. (DEC), which is marketing the device as the “decTOP.” As the decTOP, the device can run either Linux or Windows CE 5.0. However, DEC said it is “committed to enabling open source development for the decTOP,” and actively invites enquiries from those interested in participating in the device's open source development.

More details about the decTOP can be found in our previous coverage, here.

 
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