| LinuxDevices year-end review: Top device stories of 2007 |
(Dec. 31, 2007)
JANUARY
NEW NOKIA N800 INTERNET TABLET AVAILABLE NOW
Nokia quietly began delivering an upgrade to its Linux-based 770 Internet Tablet just prior to CES. The Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is available now from at least two retail stores in the U.S., priced at $399.99. We take a deep look at the device, along with a hands-on hacker review. Details here and here.
NEW MOT LINUX PHONE BOASTS WINDOWS MEDIA, DRM
Motorola has announced a new mobile phone described as the first Linux-based cellphone to support all of Microsoft's Windows Media technologies. The MotoRizr Z6, later renamed "MotoRokr Z6," was the first of Motorola's Linux phones widely distributed in the U.S. It features single-chip architecture, and "kjava" Linux stack. Details here, here, and here
REAL-TIME LINUX FLIES CAMERAS OVER NFL GAMES
FSMLabs says its real-time Linux distribution is being used to fly cameras above NFL games, film sets, and other events. RTLinux powers the real-time camera control software used by Cablecam, a provider of video footage to sports broadcasting companies and movie studios. Details
PALM-SIZED LINUX GADGET SECURES WINDOWS LAPTOPS
Yoggie Security Systems is now shipping its credit-card-sized, Linux-based security device for mobile and remote workers. The Yoggie Gatekeeper Pro is said to offer in-depth enterprise-level protection for PCs operated outside of corporate computing environments, regardless of what OS is running on the PC. Details
FEBRUARY
SINGLE-CORE FEATURE PHONE PROTOTYPE RUNS LINUX
Infineon, Comneon, and FSMLabs demonstrated a working prototype of a single-core mobile phone, making real calls on an Edge network, at 3GSM this week. The partners claim their MP-Elite phone to be the first at its price point to run Linux. Details
SINGLE-CORE 3G PHONE DESIGN RUNS LINUX ON VIRTUALIZED PROCESSOR
VirtualLogix demonstrated a multimedia-enabled Linux-based mobile phone reference design powered by a single ARM9 processor, at 3GSM this week. The NXP Nexperia 7210 design could spawn some of the world's first single-core mobile phones running open, "rich" operating systems, such as Linux. Details
PS3 AVAILABLE PRE-INSTALLED WITH LINUX
Linux distributor TerraSoft is accepting pre-orders for Sony Playstation3 gaming devices pre-installed with Linux, alongside the PS3's native gaming OS. Additionally, TerraSoft, IBM, RapidMind, and Vivendi game publisher High Moon Studios are offering seminars to help game developers exploit the PS3's Cell architecture. Details
MARCH
SINGLE-CORE LINUX PHONE HITS THE MARKET
Grundig Mobile has launched a Linux phone based on a single-core, single-chip architecture, long considered to be the "holy grail" of modern handset technology. The U900 runs Linux and an RTOS (real-time operating system) on an NXP ARM9-based SoC (system-on-chip), using VirtualLogix platform virtualization technology. Details
LINUX POWERS FIRST SOFTWARE-DEFINED CELLULAR BASE STATION
The first software-defined cellular base station to be certified by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission is on display at a communications conference in San Diego this week. The physical layer software of Vanu Inc.'s "Anywave" Base Station runs on Linux and commodity Intel hardware, for low cost and convenient upgrades. Details
BLACKBERRY-STYLE SMARTPHONE RUNS LINUX
Less than two weeks after launching its Linux-based "single core" U900 phone aimed at the mid-range market, Grundig Mobile has introduced another Linux-powered smartphone. The B700 targets enterprise users with a full hardware QWERTY keyboard and push email, similar to RIM's Blackberry. Details
LINUX POWERS DUAL-MODE MULTIMEDIA SMARTPHONE
Taiwan-based phone designer and manufacturer Accton Technology Corp. is marketing a Linux-based dual-mode phone design said to support both quad-band GSM and 802.11b/g networks. The VM3228T offers rich multimedia capabilities, and features seamless cellular/WiFi switch-over based on 3GPP standards. Details
LINUX POWERS PAIR OF 3G DUAL-MODE PHONES
MontaVista says its device-oriented Linux operating system was used in two new 3G business smartphones from Italian handset designer Enteos. The Italian handset designer and manufacturer reportedly used MontaVista Linux Consumer Edition in forthcoming iGo 730 and LinAP smartphones. Details
LINUX PHONE OFFERS VOICE NAVIGATION
A Linux-based phone with mapping and voice navigation capabilities has gone on sale in China. The Tranzda PM328 can help users locate nearby businesses, such as restaurants and gas stations, and then guide them to their destination with voice prompts. Details
DEDICATED EFFECTS BOX RUNS LINUX, WINE
Muse Research used Linux and the open-source WINE Windows API emulator to build a virtual instrumentation and effects box used by the Rolling Stones, U2, Herbie Hancock, John Mayer, and others. The 2U rackmounted "Receptor" runs VST-format audio effects and virtual instruments on commodity PC hardware. Details
INTEL AIMS LOW-COST K-12 LAPTOP AT EMERGING MARKETS
Intel has created an ultra-low-cost laptop for school children in emerging markets. The "ClassMatePC" is available with Linux or Windows XP, comes with an "educational feature set," and is part of a program in which Intel plans to invest $1 billion over the next five years. Details
APRIL
DEBIAN LINUX CONTROLS COPTER-LIKE UAV
Trek Aerospace used Debian Linux and open-source flight control software to build an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The Oviwun weighs about six pounds, fits in a backpack, and includes a GPS system that enables autonomous flight and position control. Details
PALM FESSES UP TO LINUX TREO PLANS
Palm, best known for Treo smartphones powered by Palm OS and Windows Mobile, is likely to ship Linux phones this year, confirmed CEO Ed Collagan today at Palm's "Analyst and Investor Day." Palm's Linux platform will add reliability, performance, and stability to Palm's smartphones, Collagan said. Details
FIRST UMPC WITH LINUX PRE-INSTALLED?
TabletKiosk will ship in mid-April what may be the first "UMPC" (ultra-mobile PC) available in single units with Linux pre-installed. The "eo TufTab v7112XT" is a ruggedized tablet with a 1.2GHz Via C7-M processor, 40GB harddrive, and the option of OpenSUSE 10.2 pre-installed. Details
ANATOMY OF A NEXT-GEN LINUX-BASED NETWORK CAMERA
This article by Elphel Inc. founder Andrey Filippov describes the company's latest series of intelligent, network-enabled cameras based on open-source hardware and Linux-based software, and the underlying design philosophies. The company hopes the new devices will see use in high-definition videography, among other interesting applications. Details
MOT SHIPS 800,000TH LINUX-BASED IP-STB
Motorola has shipped its millionth Internet Protocol set-top box (IP-STB), it announced last Friday. Linux has been the embedded software platform in "about 80 percent" of these devices, Motorola said. Details
PMP DOES WIFI, DOWNLOADS MUSIC, RUNS LINUX
Flash memory and consumer device specialist SanDisk is shipping the first portable multimedia player (PMP) able to download music directly via WiFi, without the use of a PC. The "Sansa Connect," which runs embedded Linux and Mono, connects directly to online music services via WiFi. Details
INTEL DEBUTS LINUX-BASED "MOBILE INTERNET DEVICE"
Intel unveiled a new post-PC computing form-factor based on embedded Linux this week, at its Developer Forum in Beijing this week. The chip giant projects a global market of 180 million units annually by 2010 for "Mobile Internet Devices" (MIDs), which are conceptually similar to Nokia's N800 tablet. Details
LINUX POWERS $50 WIRELESS MESH ROUTER
A Google-backed start-up that began as a doctoral thesis at MIT has started selling ultra-low-cost mesh networking equipment based on Atheros WiFi radios and embedded MIPS 4KEc processors running Linux. Meraki defines its mission as "bringing Internet access to the next billion people." Details
MAY
LOW-COST, ECO-FRIENDLY COMPUTING DEVICE RUNS LINUX
A New York City based start-up is readying a silent, low-cost, Linux-based computing appliance said to burn an order of magnitude less power than traditional PCs. The Zonbu Zonbox runs Gentoo Linux and two dozen open source applications on a Via C7 processor clocked at 1.2GHz. Details
MOTOROLA FINALLY LAUNCHES U.S. LINUX PHONE
Linux/Java has topped CEO Ed Zander's list of things to look for from Motorola as it attempts a financial turnaround. At a New York press conference this morning, Zander introduced Linux-based "Rokr" and "Razr2" models, along with new top-level executives. Details
WINDOWS FIREWALL SQUEEZES INTO USB KEY
Yoggie Security Systems has squeezed a complete hardware firewall for Windows systems into a USB key sized form-factor. The "Yoggie Pico" runs Linux 2.6 along with 13 security applications on a 520MHz PXA270, a powerful Intel processor popular in smartphones and other high-end consumer devices. Details
JUNE
ASUS UNVEILS ULTRA-LOW-COST LINUX LAPTOP
Yet another inexpensive miniature flash-based laptop running Linux has appeared. Asus Chairman Jonney Shih introduced the $190 Eee PC (3ePC) at a Computex keynote this week, giving the audience a tour of its Windows-like Linux operating system, which boots in 15 seconds from 2GB of flash. Details
$100 LINUX GADGET BECOMES STUDENT TESTING DEVICE
LearningSoft has used customized Linux-based handheld devices in an "assessment system" aimed at helping classroom school teachers create, administer, and score tests. Aimed primarily at grades three through eight, the "Indigo Learning System" uses Aeronix's $99 Zipit chat device running a custom software stack. Details
PMP DOUBLES AS PERSONAL LINUX DESKTOP
Asian Linux distributor TurboLinux has announced the "global launch" of its combination PMP (portable media player) and Linux boot device. When plugged into a PC, the "Wizpy" player launches users into their own localized, personalized Linux-based operating system environment. Details
LINUX DEVICE MAKES GOOD, BETTER, BEST
Another Linux-based gadget has broken into the mainstream consumer electronics marketplace. The Sonos Digital Music System is now available in more than 450 Best Buy retail outlets in the U.S., alongside Linux-powered classics like the TiVo, Linksys WRT54G (V1-3), and Sony HD TVs. Details
LINUX GADGET TO REPLACE THE CLOCK RADIO?
Chumby, a venture-backed San Diego startup, is readying a soft, leather-covered Linux-powered gadget conceived as an Internet-era replacement for clock and table radios. Expected to ship in "early summer," pending FCC approval, the "Chumby" device features open, hackable hardware, software, and yes, "outerware" APIs. Details
JULY
BUILDING THE ULTIMATE LINUX-BASED MUSIC SERVER
This article by LinuxDevices senior editor Henry Kingman describes how to build your own silent, fast, eco-friendly Linux-based PC for use in the living room. The PC is based on a high-end Via mini-ITX board, passively cooled Serener case with heatpipe cooling, Debian Linux, and a little creative embedded elbow grease. Kingman's how-to article is entertaining, highly detailed, and loaded with photos showing the required bits and pieces. Details
LINUX-BASED E-BOOK BOASTS "BRIGHTEST AND FASTEST" E-PAPER
A France-based e-book specialist is readying a Linux-powered successor to its earlier Windows CE-based e-book reader devices. Bookeen's third-generation Cybook device, featuring "groundbreaking" Vizplex e-paper technology from E Ink, is a customized version of a Chinese-language e-book reader that debuted last December. Details
AUGUST
MOT'S LINUX-BASED RAZR2 V8 PREVIEWED
Motorola's Linux-based Razr2 V8 is "one of the most beautiful phones ever released," enthuses OSNews editor Eugenia Loli-Queru in an in-depth, hands-on preview. However, the phone's user interface still can't compete with Nokia's S60 and touchscreen-based phone UIs, she suggests. Details
SEPTEMBER
PALM TABLES LINUX-BASED FOLEO
Palm has canceled the Linux-based Foleo mobile companion, CEO Ed Colligan announced this week on the company's blog. Colligan said the move would cost the company $10 million in earnings, but allow it to focus on a single Linux smartphone development platform going forward. Details
ARTIFICIAL DINOSAUR MAY HAVE LINUX ON ITS MIND
The world will learn more about an artificial baby dinosaur at the ARM Developer's Conference two weeks from now in Santa Clara, Calif. There, Ugobe CTO John Sosoka is expected to reveal long-awaited details about the $350 Pleo and it's "Life OS," which is probably (though unconfirmed) based on Linux. Details
LINUX GADGET LETS CAMERA-PHONES UPLOAD TO THE WEB
Italy-based KDev has used Linux to build a cellphone-to-web gateway device aimed at letting users easily and instantly upload camera-phone photos to the web. The FoxBox MMS integrates a GSM/GPRS cellular modem card, and accepts photos sent via multimedia messaging service (MMS). Details
OLPC "GIVE 1, GET 1" PROMO STARTS NOV. 12 IN THE U.S.
One Laptop Per Child's "XO" device -- commonly referred to as the $100 Linux laptop -- will be offered as part of a "Give 1, Get 1" promotional program in the U.S. and Canada beginning Nov. 12. Read this story at DesktopLinux.com: Details
OCTOBER
MEET THE ROBOT BOY WITH TWO BRAINS
"Zeno," a robotic boy with two brains, will visit a pair of robotics conferences this month. The 17-inch, 4.5-pound humanoid robot can speak, learn, interact with its surroundings, and even recognize faces, according to creator Hanson Robotics. Details
NOKIA UNVEILS LINUX-POWERED N810 INTERNET TABLET
Nokia has announced a new version of its Linux-based Internet tablet. The N810 is smaller, heavier, and faster than the older N800, with new features that include a slide-out hardware QWERTY thumb keyboard, GPS receiver, FM transmitter (for in-car listening), and a light-sensing screen dimmer. Details
"MOBILE FIREFOX" TAKES ON PHONES, DEVICES
The Mozilla Foundation will ship a mobile version of the popular Firefox browser in 2008, according to a blog post from Mike Schroepfer, VP of engineering. Schroepfer writes that "Mobile Firefox" (MoFi?) will be based on Gecko 1.9 with "significant changes" for improved performance and footprint. Details
NOVEMBER
LINUX-POWERED ASUS EEE PC MINI-LAPTOP ARRIVES
The Xandros Linux-powered "ultra-mobile PC" (UMPC) has finally arrived. One of the most eagerly awaited laptops in some time, the tiny Asus Eee PC 4G, is now available from online retailers that include Newegg and Directon. Details
LINUX-BASED PROGRAMMABLE CLOCK DEVICE SHIPS
Chumby is shipping its Linux-powered device designed for the bedside, desktop, and kitchen counter. The alarm-clock sized "Chumby" has hackable hardware, software, and outerware, connects via WiFi, and can be programmed to display everything from clock faces to stock quotes. Details
LINUX IM PAD BEEFS UP, INVITES HACKING
Zipit Wireless has updated its Linux-based, WiFi-connected instant messaging client for kids and other frequent IM users. The new $150 Zipit Wireless Messenger 2 (Z2) adds a color screen, a faster processor, and expansion interfaces likely to prove popular among both kids and Linux hardware hackers (Is there a difference?). Details
DECEMBER
AMAZON LAUNCHES LINUX-BASED EBOOK READER
Amazon's "Kindle" electronic book reader runs an operating system based on Linux 2.6.10, according to reports. The device boasts a claimed 30 hours of battery life, thanks in part to a power-saving E-ink EPD (electro-phlorescent, or "electronic paper" display) and "fpow" power-saving infrastructure, early reports suggest. Details
"CLOUDBOOK" SUB-NOTEBOOK RUNS GOOGLE-ISH LINUX
Everex has confirmed plans to ship a UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) with a 7-inch screen, similar to competitor Asus's EEE PC. A source close to the company revealed that the device -- codenamed "Cloudbook" -- will ship with the Google Apps-oriented "gOS" Linux distribution early next year. Details
LINUX POWERS TINY NETWORK TIME SERVER
Veracity UK Ltd used Linux to build a tiny time server for security camera networks, among other applications. Veracity's TimeNet sets it own clock via GPS, and runs an open source NTP (Network Time Protocol) daemon that network clients can query for highly accurate time settings.Details
Most Significant Stories for 2007
(Click here for further information)
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FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
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