Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Freescale ships "SideShow" devkit -- but where's the Linux?
Sep. 13, 2006

Freescale is readying a reference design for Windows Vista "SideShow" applications, such as external laptop displays that run mini-applications (addressbook lookups, for instance) without booting the laptop. The design supports .NET Micro Framework under Windows Vista SideShow, but looks capable of running Linux, too.

(Click here for larger image)

The core of the kit is a small form-factor reference board based on a Freescale i.MXS applications processor, a "highly integrated" SoC built around an ARM920T processor. In addition to Windows CE, the i.MXS also supports Linux, and is distributed with a Linux BSP.

The kit also includes a 2.5-inch QVGA color LCD panel, a USB interface, and an expansion connector for add-on modules to support functions such as Bluetooth or ZigBee wireless.

Key features of the development board, according to Freescale, include:
  • Processor -- i.MXS applications processor, based on ARM920T core
  • On-board memory:
    • 32MB SDRAM
    • 8MB "burst flash"
  • I2C and SSI bus connector for connection to external audio CODEC SMbus interface
  • On-board 2.5-inch QVGA resolution LCD with backlight
  • USB 1.1 interface
  • Serial ports:
    • One RS232 port
    • One CMOS-level port
  • 11 digital I/O lines for keypad/button inputs
  • Clock source crystal: 32 kilohertz
  • LED power indicator
  • Powered by USB bus voltage or external power adapter
  • Provides headers for custom add-on modules

What's SideShow?

According to Microsoft, the Windows SideShow platform is a new feature developed for Vista that lets developers create or extend applications specifically for devices with small displays and limited interaction models. Applications designed to work with the platform are referred to as "gadgets." Typical supported SideShow target devices are expected to include embedded laptop lid displays, front panel computer displays, cell phones, and other network-connected display devices.


Typical SideShow "gadget"
(Source: Microsoft)

One example of a SideShow gadget might be an external display on a laptop, such as what is pictured above. It could be used for fast and convenient PDA-like access to PIM data such as calendar, contacts, or even email, without having to boot up the laptop itself.

According to Colin Miller, Director of Microsoft's .NET Micro Framework group, "Microsoft has used Freescale processors for internal development since the initial prototypes of the Windows SideShow concept in 2005. We expect that Freescale's commitment to .NET Micro Framework and SideShow with an OEM development kit will help enable rapid development of new SideShow solutions and other .NET Micro Framework-based embedded applications for the consumer, industrial, medical and other markets."

Berardino Baratta, general manager of Freescale's multimedia applications division, added, "SideShow is a perfect application for the i.MXS applications processor, which has proven to be a cost-effective, high performance solution in a host of mobile applications. The i.MXS Development Kit is designed to provide developers and OEMs a superb foundation for rapidly creating these innovative and differentiated solutions leveraging the fastest processor available for SideShow applications -- the i.MX processor."

Availability

The i.MXS Development Kit will be priced at just under $500, and is expected to ship by the end of October, Freescale said. The company is accepting orders on its website, here.

The kit comes with rights to download schematics, bill of materials, and layout files from Freescale's website, the company says.



Related stories:


(Click here for further information)


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.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

Mobile phones!

MIDs, UMPCs
& tablets

Mobile devices

Other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• MontaVista touts Android readiness
• Via panel PC resists shock, liquids
• Linux provider touts support award
• "World's smallest humanoid robot" runs Linux
• Linux connects TVs to 'Net video
• Mot camera-phone runs widgets
• Linux-ready MILS kernel gains POSIX
• Multimedia processor plays H.264 video
• $7 ARM9 SoC gains mainline support
• Mini-ITX board has HDMI port
• Papers sought for Embedded Linux Conference
• Rugged Linux wrist computer upgraded
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• USB 3.0 debuts
• Spotlight on Moblin.org Linux


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• "Moonlight" ready to shine
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• Debian Lenny installer arrives
• Ubuntu announces ARM port
• Amazon offers Linux XOs
• Windows 7 "no threat" to netbook Linux
• Creative frees Sound Blaster driver code
• Linux, netbooks threaten Microsoft's fat profits
• Ibex inspires GNOME switch
• Linux to outship Windows in 2009?


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.