TimeSys rolls out updated embedded Linux SDK, "breakthrough" pricing -- TimeSys released an upgraded version of its embedded Linux operating system and development environment (TimeSys Linux 4.0), adding high availability and Carrier Grade Linux capabilities and migrating to the 2.4.18 Linux kernel. Additionally, the company unveiled unusually low pricing -- $79.95 -- for a full-function, Pentium-class x86 version of its standard embedded Linux SDK, thus offering developers a low-cost, low-risk way to use embedded Linux in their projects.  Story

First free Linux-based integrated development toolchain for XScale -- Speaking of low-cost embedded Linux toolkits, SnapGear announced what it describes as the first free Linux-based integrated development toolchain for Intel's XScale processors. The free, open source environment combines a uClinux port to the Intel IXP425 evaluation board with a number of readily available open source tools. uClinux supports both MMU and MMU-less processors.  Story

Linux-based "wireless zone" puts websites in a box -- IR Data's Wireless Zone is a portable wireless server that takes advantage of Linux, Apache, and other open source technologies to deliver web pages, demonstrations, presentations, and other data to other WiFi-enabled devices and systems -- without requiring Internet access.  Story

Linux-based mobile humanoid robot to debut in Japan -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries unveiled an experimental Linux-powered robot in Japan on Tuesday. The 100 cm tall robot is described as being able to assist the sick or elderly in their homes. It can conduct simple conversation using a 10,000 word vocabulary, and uses face recognition technology to find (and follow) faces and movements.  Story

Debian powers "networked entertainment gateway" device -- The PRISMIQ MediaPlayer is said to represent the first instance of a new consumer device category -- the "networked entertainment gateway." Priced at just $250, the Linux-powered gadget delivers audio and video media files, obtained from either home PCs or the Internet, to TVs and stereos. It also provides TV-based web surfing, instant messaging, and access to various web services.  Story

TimeSys releases Eclipse-based IDE for embedded Linux development -- TimeSys announced the full release of its new integrated development environment (IDE) for embedded Linux. Powered by Eclipse Technology, the new tool is a standalone Windows- or Linux- hosted graphical IDE for developing C/C++/Java applications for embedded Linux platforms, and supports TimeSys Linux as well as other embedded Linux distro's.  Story

Defect assessment study demonstrates superiority of Linux TCP/IP stack -- Reasoning Inc. announced that it is making available a study that reports that the TCP/IP stack in version 2.4.19 of the Linux kernel has fewer defects than the TCP/IP stacks of several popular commercial equivalents. The company says its study is the first published comparison of code defect assessment of an open source software application vs. equivalent commercial software applications. The white paper can be obtained at no charge (requires free online registration).  Story

Linux drives spiffy mobile robot test-bed -- The ENST Computer Science Department in Paris has developed a low cost, customizable, Linux-powered mobile robot test-bed for embedded real-time application experimentation. The Spif autonomous robot boots Linux 2.4.19 from Flash, DiskOnKey, and 802.11 wireless.  Story

Knoppix -- a bootable, one-CD Linux -- If you've ever needed a functional Linux setup that is portable and runs the same way on any hardware, check out this article at IBM's developerWorks website.  Story

Other noteworthy news items and announcements from the past week . . .

• GNOME version 2.2 is released
  
• 3-day course on designing and monitoring real-time software systems
  
• Report on Linux devices (and Linux device support) at LinuxWorld NY
  
• Red Hat Linux Advanced Server achieves U.S. DoD COE certification
  
• IBM commits to Common Criteria security certification of Linux
  
• Opera browser squishes into mobile phones
  
• Wireless remote access software gains security
  
• Gates addresses growing Linux threat
  
• Microsoft seeks patent on .Net APIs
  
• Info on any device, but only if it's Windows
  

• Article talkbacks
  
• Linux on PDAs
  
• Embedded Linux Q&A
  
• Real-time Linux
  
• GPL issues & discussion
  
• Embedded Java+Linux
  
• Little Linux systems
  
• General discussion
  

• Introduction & Overview ("start here")
  
• Embedded Linux Distributions
  
• Real-time Linux
  
• GUI/Windowing Software
  
• Java on Embedded Linux
  
• System-on-Chip Processors
  
• Single Board Computers
  
• Little Linux Systems
  
• Linux-Based "Cool Devices"
  
• Linux-PDAs and PDA-Linux
  
• Embedded Linux Market
  

Read them here:   Feb. 6, 2003,   Jan. 30, 2003,   Jan. 23, 2003,   Jan. 16, 2003,   Jan. 9, 2003,   Jan. 2, 2003

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Be sure to stop by LinuxDevices.com -- "the Embedded Linux Portal" -- for the latest news, articles, forums, products, companies, jobs, and buzz in the fast-moving "post-PC" world of Linux-based intelligent devices, Internet appliances, and embedded systems. You can contact us here.