Developer rebuts MS-funded embedded Windows vs. Linux study -- In this LinuxDevices.com editorial, embedded developer Jerry Epplin blasts the recently published Microsoft-funded study that suggests that projects using "Windows Embedded" operating system platforms (specifically, Windows CE .NET and Windows XP Embedded) are completed 43% faster and at 68% lower cost, on average, compared with similar projects using Embedded Linux. "The Microsoft-funded study reported by Dr. Krasner is flawed on just about every level we examine it," Epplin notes. Story
VDC whitepaper compares Linux, Windows embedded development -- Venture Development Corp. (VDC) released a whitepaper this week with data comparing embedded development based on Windows Embedded and Linux software platforms. The data, which was gathered as part of VDC's Embedded Software Strategic Market Intelligence Program over the past several years, compares average number of developers per project and time-to-market for the two embedded software platforms. The whitepaper includes tables, graphs, comments, and conclusions by VDC analysts Chris Lanfear and Steve Balacco. The VDC data paints a significantly different picture from the findings of the EMF report. Story
Tiniest Linux system at LinuxWorld? -- While something smaller certainly may have escaped our notice, LinuxDevices.com searched for the tiniest Linux system at last week's LinuxWorld show in San Francisco, and came up with the Cyclades TS100 device server. Have a look. Story
Metrowerks adds kernel-level debugging to embedded Linux toolsuite -- Metrowerks, Motorola's software tools subsidiary, has added kernel-level debugging capabilities to its development tools for embedded Linux environments. In addition to the support now available for ARM processors, Metrowerks expects to soon add other architectures, including Motorola's PowerQUICC and ColdFire embedded processor families. Story
TimeSys joins CE Linux Forum -- TimeSys Corp. announced that it has joined the CE Linux Forum (CELF), an industry group focused on the advancement of Linux as an open source platform for consumer electronics devices. TimeSys said it will contribute its expertise in real-time embedded Linux toward furthering CELF's goals of improving the operating system's real-time performance, reliability, and power management, and reducing startup/shutdown time and memory footprint. Story
MontaVista joins CE Linux Forum, signs with Samsung -- MontaVista Software also announced that it has become a member of the CE Linux Forum. Additionally, MontaVista and Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung announced a contract by which MontaVista will supply embedded Linux for use in "many next generation Samsung devices." MontaVista declined to comment on what some of those devices might be, but our news item includes a photo and description of one recently announced Linux-based Samsung consumer product as an indication of Samsung's interest in embedding Linux. Story
PlayStation 3's "Cell" processor may be suitable for embedded Linux -- IBM, Sony and Toshiba have nearly finished designing a mysterious multi-core "Cell" processor that is expected to power Sony's PlayStation 3, according to an article at CNET's GameSpot website. Cell is expected to run Linux and be available in a number of configurations appropriate to embedded systems as early as 2005. Cell integrates between four and 16 processor cores into a single chip; chips with four cores are expected to appear in set-top boxes and other embedded applications. Story
Softfield readies Linux-based MX7 PDA for release -- A post on the Zaurus mailing list has pointed out that Softfield Technology, the company that took over production of Agenda Computing's VR3 Linux-based PDA, has announced that they will soon begin production of a new Linux-based PDA, the MX7. Story
Miniature Linux-based XScale SBC for mobile robotics -- K-Team announced KoreBot, a miniature Linux-based single-board computer (SBC) board designed for mobile robotics and other embedded applications. KoreBot is based on an Intel XScale processor equipped with 64MB RAM and 32MB Flash memory, runs the Familiar Linux distribution from handhelds.org, and includes an extensive set of interfaces useful for implementing control and communications functions. Story
IBM accuses SCO of violating the GPL, infringing IBM patents, and more -- If you're following the ongoing SCO vs. Linux story, you'll be interested to learn that last week, IBM filed a legal counter-claim against the SCO Group. According to an article at CNET, the IBM 45-page document court filing accuses SCO of violating the GNU General Public License (GPL) under which Linux is released, of violating four IBM software patents, and of interfering with IBM's business by attempting to terminate IBM's license to AIX. The IBM complaint asks for monetary damages, as well as an injunction preventing SCO from shipping software which, IBM says, violates IBM patents. Story
Phone-cameras bound for world domination -- Cell phones with cameras are becoming a major consumer phenomenon, with sales figures on pace to equal the combined totals for both film and digital cameras in 2003, and far outstrip them in 2004, according to market analyst Future Image. Story
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