Reflections on the EMF embedded Windows vs. embedded Linux report -- In this editorial, LinuxDevices.com editor Rick Lehrbaum offers his "reflections" on the recently published (Microsoft-funded) Embedded Market Forecasters report which claims embedded development projects based on Microsoft's "Windows Embedded" operating system platforms are completed 43% faster and at 68% lower cost, on average, compared with similar projects using embedded Linux. "In reviewing the report, I arrived at the conclusion that it does not treat embedded Linux in a fair and balanced manner," Lehrbaum says, and then presents his reasons. Reader comments -- from all perspectives -- are encouraged. Story
Opie open source GUI/PIM project releases version 1.0 -- The Open Palmtop Integrated Environment (Opie) project has announced its first 1.0 release. Having been forked from Trolltech's Qtopia environment, Opie has evolved into a sophisticated, free, and open graphical user interface for Linux based embedded devices and PDAs. Story
Interact-TV unveils developer version of home entertainment center -- Interact-TV unveiled a developer version of the Linux-based Telly MC1000 Digital Entertainment Center. The developer version is a complete system with full capabilities for playing, recording, and archiving TV shows; ripping and burning CDs; playing DVDs, music, and digital photos; and sharing media over a home network. But in addition, the special developer version comes with tools that enable developers to create new features, enhancements, and in other ways customize the Telly. Story
Newly released Qtopia 1.7 adds performance, flexibility -- Trolltech announced the release of version 1.7 of Qtopia, the Linux-based application environment for mobile embedded devices that is used in Sharp's Zaurus PDAs. The latest Qtopia release is said to offer new levels of speed, performance, and customizability. Story
VIA highlights Linux-based devices at LinuxWorld -- VIA Technologies showcased an interesting assortment of Linux-powered devices and applications based on its Mini-ITX form-factor motherboards. Demonstrations included products and projects from Interact-TV, Open Source Telecom Corp., SRI International, Mini-Box.com, and Tonic Domains Corp., and included home entertainment, server, VoIP, PVR, and robotics applications. Story
Helix community to build open source media player for Linux, Unix -- RealNetworks launched the open source, collaborative Helix Player project. The goal of the Helix Player project is to develop a comprehensive open source media player for Linux, Unix, and Solaris, with broad industry support among companies and organizations distributing and developing Linux software. Initial versions of the player will be built for Linux and Solaris following freedesktop.org standards and using the GTK+ toolkit. Story
Geode finds a new home at AMD -- Advanced Micro Devices announced an agreement with National Semiconductor to acquire National's 'x86' architecture Geode system-on-chip processor family. Geode is used in a large number of Linux-based consumer devices, especially set-top boxes and tablet PCs. The Geode acquisition significantly strengthens AMD's position relative to that of its main competitor, Intel, in the embedded and handheld devices markets. Story
Report sizes up Intel's x86 competition -- A report released by In-Stat/MDR takes a look at Intel's competitors who make x86 compatible processors. Despite industry pundits' expectation that they would not survive, AMD and other Intel x86 competitors (such as VIA and Transmeta) have subsisted and even, at times, thrived, the report finds -- this, in spite of the economic roller coaster of the past several years. The near future, however, is uncertain. Story
OSDL position paper challenges SCO's anti-Linux threats -- The Open Source Development Lab (OSDL) has released a position paper "raising serious questions" about SCO Group's threatened litigation against end users of Linux. The paper, which casts doubt on SCO's position, was authored by one of the world's leading legal experts on copyright law as applied to software, Professor Eben Moglen of Columbia University. We provide the paper as a free download. Story
Two more on SCO -- Speaking of SCO's attacks on Linux, here are two more related stories . . .
Other noteworthy news items and announcements from the past week . . .
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