Update to "Embedded Linux 'Cool Devices' Quick Reference Guide" -- The latest release of our highly popular "Cool Devices" Quick Reference Guide now includes 123 Linux-based gadgets and devices in 7 categories: (1) PDAs and handhelds; (2) mobile-phones and IP-phones; (3) audio/video entertainment devices; (4) tablets and webpads; (5) gateways, servers, and wireless access points; (6) other smart devices -- including robots, web-enabled digital cameras, automobile telematics, industrial control, and Linux wrist watches; (7) and last but not least, the DIY (do-it-yourself) category -- Little Linux systems for projects and products. Have a look! Story
Linux and PowerPC converge in tiny "Micro-server" -- A tiny PowerPC-based Linux system with dual Ethernet ports is usable as an off-the-shelf firewall/router, mail server, or web server. Add an optional plug-in CompactFlash card and hard disk, and it becomes a "powerful general purpose Linux server" that fits in the palm of your hand. Story
New ARM922T SOCs target handhelds, run Linux -- Video chipmaker MediaQ unveiled a new family of ARM922T-based system-on-chip processors that target tomorrow's multimedia-intensive handheld devices such as PDAs and mobile phones. The chips integrate an LCD controller, NAND Flash memory controller, digital camera interface, serial, and USB ports. Dedicated hardware acceleration engines are also included for 64-bit 2D graphics, MPEG-4 post processing, Java, and (depending on version) hardware JPEG compression for digital camera images. An embedded Linux port is in process. Story
Nat Semi puts Geode system-on-chip business unit on the block -- National Semiconductor is selling off two business units: the Information Appliance chip unit, which consists primarily of the Geode system-on-chip processor family; and the Cellular Baseband business unit. The company's Geode processors have found a home in a number of Linux-based consumer and industrial devices. Story
Sharp adds two new Zaurus Linux PDAs to SL-C7xx lineup -- Sharp announced the addition of two new Zaurus "personal mobile tools" to its Linux-based PDA lineup in Japan this week. The new models -- the SL-C750 and SL-C760 -- appear nearly identical in most respects to the SL-C700 announced last November. Significantly, however, Sharp's announcement boasts that its newest PDAs are "twice as fast" as the SL-700 -- which apparently results from a combination of multiple factors. Story
CNET review of Sharp's Zaurus SL-5600 Linux-powered PDA -- Speaking of Sharp's Zaurus: CNET has reviewed the SL-5600, and upgraded their verdict from a rather negative earlier one ("While true geeks will love the Zaurus, most users will find Pocket PC and Palm devices easier to live with") to a relatively positive current one ("By boosting its speed, adding memory, and smoothing out software kinks, the Zaurus SL-5600 Linux handheld offers a challenge to Pocket PCs and Palms"). Story
A comparison of J2ME and the .NET compact framework -- Although written by a self-described "open source Java developer," this technical article at JavaWorld.com attempts to provide a fair comparison between J2ME and the .NET compact framework. The author explores how to build GIS mobile clients using a mix of .NET Web services, J2EE, J2ME, and .NET Compact Framework technologies using XML Web services enable such a heterogeneous design. Story
Other noteworthy news items and announcements from the past week . . .
. . . and that's not all. Click here for the latest breaking news.
Read them here: May 15, 2003, May 8, 2003, May 1, 2003, Apr. 24, 2003, Apr. 17, 2003, Apr. 10, 2003, Apr. 3, 2003, Mar. 27, 2003, Mar. 20, 2003, Mar. 13, 2003, Mar. 6, 2003, Feb. 27, 2003, Feb. 20, 2003, Feb. 13, 2003, Feb. 6, 2003, Jan. 30, 2003, Jan. 23, 2003, Jan. 16, 2003, Jan. 9, 2003, Jan. 2, 2003
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.