Charles J. Murray discusses mixed analyst opinions about the future of embedded Linux. Some critics cite the shaky financial stability of one company, Lineo, as a signal that Linux is not viable in the embedded market. Industry watchers such as Venture Development Corp. (VDC) point to a 'groundswell movement' toward open source embedded solutions and real-time strategies that complement Linux, combined… with significant capital investment by heavyweights such as IBM and Intel, as evidence of a strong future. Both sides are presented in this interesting article at EE Times. Murray writes . . .

” . . . a changing tide of opinion in the embedded market, where Linux was once ignored, then was cast as an emerging giant and now seems to have entered a phase of uncertainty . . . “

” . . . Market watcher Venture Development Corp. (Natick, Mass.) has released a study predicting explosive growth for Linux in the embedded market. The study, which draws on a Web survey of 245 embedded developers, foresees embedded Linux products and services soaring from $59 million in 2001 to $346 million in 2006. More than three-quarters of those surveyed said they have used embedded Linux or plan to use it in the next three years . . . “

” . . . The apparent conflict between the desires of developers and the struggles of companies such as Lineo raises questions about the open-source movement and its business models, analysts said. Although many product developers claim they want open-source products, they often end up balking at the cost when they move deeper into development projects . . . “

” . . . Ultimately, the decision to use or not to use Linux in embedded applications will reveal if there's a gap between what developers think they want and what they will really pay for, Krasner said . . . “

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