Welcome to LinuxDevices.com's Embedded Linux Newsletter June 10, 2004 by Rick Lehrbaum Editor-in-chief

CEO interview: x86 CPU company founder on history, strategy, Linux -- LinuxDevices.com is proud to present this fascinating interview with Glenn Henry, founder of VIA processor subsidiary Centaur Technology, and former Dell CTO and IBM Fellow. Henry discusses the founding of Centaur, its strategy and products, and why Linux is fundamental to his company's success. Additional topics covered include: how to produce an x86 clone with a few million dollars and a few dozen engineers; the embedded x86 market, and how it compares to the traditional ARM and MIPS based embedded market; why Centaur doesn't compete with AMD and Intel so much as enable x86 to reach new markets; how Linux is enabling greater hardware functionality; the urgent need for pervasive security -- and much more!

Home Internet server device runs embedded Linux -- Wiscore has introduced a Linux-based device for consumers interested in running their own Internet server. The Tenon incorporates email, web, and ftp servers, along with a broadband router, hub, and firewall -- all in a small, low-power device featuring an embedded Linux architecture for high security.

Advanced video drivers available free for non-commercial use, testing -- Cross-platform video driver vendor SciTech Software has launched a program to enable non-commercial users to use its drivers at no cost. The program is supported by an online configuration portal that helps users download and install a driver configured for their systems. Supported OSes include Linux, Windows, and OS/2. SciTech's Snap drivers represent an effort to solve the driver crisis through hardware and OS abstraction layers that enable more efficient reuse of code among drivers for a variety of hardware and OSes.

ABI: standards groups leading home automation push -- The shape of the "digital home" of the near future is becoming steadily clearer, according to a finding issued by market analyst ABI Research. Traditionally the prerogative of the successful hip-hop producer or sports star, home automation -- integrating media and entertainment with communications and "smart" household appliances -- is nearly ready for a wider market of upper middle-class households. According to ABI, the biggest factors enabling this transition are firm commitments to home automation from some of the world's largest technology companies, both individually and as members of standards-setting organizations.

MontaVista loses Weinberg to OSDL -- MontaVista Founding Team member Bill Weinberg has left the company to join the Open Source Development Labs in the newly created role of "Open Source Architect Specialist." Weinberg will work with Lab members, Linux users, press, and analysts as an evangelist for Linux and OSDL programs.

Tool generates UIs for Linux-based mobile phones -- Digital Airways has released a C language version of its user interface (UI) building tools that will enable the tools to be used to build UIs for phones running Linux, and phones with fewer hardware and software resources. Previously, the technology was available only in Java.

Mobile browser vendor ships dynamic content engine -- Access is shipping a new user interface (UI) framework that enables mobile operators to deliver dynamic mobile services and programs. Dynamic Menu is based on Access's NetFront Rendering Engine, which supports Linux. The framework can be used to push and pull branded or co-branded content and services directly to and from any handset, regardless of the operating system.

OTHER NEWSWORTHY ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PAST WEEK . . .

• Call for abstracts -- consumer design seminar series
  
• Rugged ETX computer-on-module supports Linux
  
• MontaVista updates Embedded Linux GUI development tools
  
• Linux 2.6 BSP available for rugged cPCI SBC
  
• Linux-ready SoMs use latest Intel embedded chips
  
• Adapter converts JTAG debugging ports to USB
  
• ARM adds souped up memory interconnect to ARM11 IP library
  

. . . and that's not all. Click here for the latest breaking news.

• 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
  

You can access this year's previous newsletters here:   Jun. 3,   May 27,   May 20,   May 13,   May 6,   Apr. 29,   Apr. 22,   Apr. 15,   Apr. 8,   Apr. 1,   Mar. 25,   Mar. 18,   Mar. 11,   Mar. 4,   Feb. 26,   Feb. 19,   Feb. 12,   Feb. 5,   Jan. 29,   Jan. 22,   Jan. 15,   Jan. 8

Be sure to stop by LinuxDevices.com -- "the Embedded Linux Portal" -- for the latest news, articles, links, 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.

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