Bonum Certa Men Certa

Linux Devices and Embedded Linux a Most Powerful Force

Electric circuit



Summary: An overview of recent articles about Linux (and sometimes GNU) in the more miniature realm of computing

This month, October of 2013, the issue of Linux Journal is titled "Embedded" [1] and now that embedded devices or ARM chips get powerful enough to run "full linux" (desktop) [2] we should note that the so-called "year of Linux desktop" matters a lot less. Linux Gizmos, a site dedicated to Linux devices and embedded Linux, shows many new devices that run Linux [3-11], including cars [12,13]. Raspberry Pi is big in the headlines [14-18] and Linux Journal has a special article about it [19]. Without a doubt, Linux is the most dominant platform when it comes to devices and it often comes with GNU too (not always but often).



Related/contextual items from the news:



  1. October 2013 Issue of Linux Journal: Embedded


  2. “Most powerful” Arduino ever has ARM Cortex-A8 chip, runs “full Linux”
    3D printers, sensor networks, and advanced automation enabled by Arduino TRE.


  3. Rugged fanless box-PC suits wireless mobile apps
    MEN Mikro announced a rugged, Linux-ready box-PC for use on trains, buses, airplanes, and construction and agricultural vehicles. The BL50W comes with single- or dual-core AMD G-Series APUs, provides dual full-HD DisplayPort outputs, expands via SD, mSATA, and Mini PCIe slots, offers gig-E, WiFi, GPS, and cellular connectivity, and supports wide temperature fanless operation.


  4. Compact OTT set-top-box runs Linux
    Antik Technology announced a smaller, lower-powered sibling to its Juice Extreme 2 multicast/OTT IP set-top-box. The Juice Nano runs Linux on a 550MHz ST STiH207 processor, delivers video at up to 1080p at 60fps, provides HDMI, TOSLINK digital audio, and USB ports, and offers both Ethernet and WiFi connectivity.


  5. Set-top box SoCs move up to Cortex-A9, UltraHD, HEVC
    STMicroelectronics (ST), ViXS, and Sigma Designs have each announced new Linux-friendly system-on-chips for IPTV set-top boxes (STBs) incorporating dual Cortex-A9 cores. Some of ST’s STLinux-based “Cannes” and “Monaco” SoCs, as well as ViXS’s XCode 6400 SoC, support UltraHD video and streaming HEVC HD content, while Sigma’s SMP8734 supports Linux or Android on hybrid STBs and media players.


  6. SODIMM-style COM runs Linux on Freescale Vybrid SoC


  7. Linux-capable Arduino TRE debuts at Maker Faire Rome


  8. Embedded firms increase Linux kernel contributions
    A Linux Foundation report found that among the growing list of companies participating in Linux kernel development, embedded-oriented firms like Linaro, Samsung, and Texas Instruments, have increased their contributions at the fastest rate. Other findings include increases in the number of kernel developers, code changes, and changes per hour since the LF’s previous report in April 2012.


  9. Linux device offers web, video, audio conferencing
    RHUB Communications is shipping a videoconferencing and web collaboration appliance that runs embedded Linux on an AMD G-Series processor. The TurboMeeting 210 (TM210) appliance is equipped with multiparty web, video, and audio conferencing functionality, as well as remote support, remote access, and webinar applications.


  10. RCA Internet Music System runs Android
    RCA is previewing a $200 Android-based music system on its RCA Tablets website. The RCS13101E Internet Music System features built-in WiFi and a removable tablet-style display, and is billed as a modern alternative to the traditional modular stereo system, for use in bedrooms, dorm rooms, and family rooms.


  11. Home automation device runs Linux on BeagleBone
    Starting in early October, Ninja Blocks will ship another 1,000 units of its redesigned open source Linux based home automation device kit. The $199 Ninja Block Kit incorporates a BeagleBone SBC and an Arduino-compatible microcontroller, and offers remote access via smartphone apps and a cloud service for access to sensor inputs including motion detectors, contact closures, temperature and humidity sensors, and pushbuttons.


  12. Linux-based IVI platform adds multimedia tech
    Mentor Graphics is integrating Jungo Connectivity’s multimedia player middleware into its Linux-based in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) software platform. Mentor’s Automotive Technology Platform IVI stack meets Yocto Project 1.3 and GENIVI 3.0 IVI requirements, and Jungo’s MediaCore middleware provides UX and other support for multimedia management and playback, smartphone connectivity, and cloud-based applications.


  13. Android-based IVI system ships in 15 Renault cars


  14. Father Builds First Raspberry Pi-Powered Tooth Fairy Tooth Transport
    Developers have proved that the Raspberry Pi can be used for a lot of interesting projects, but very few had the kind of appeal of the Tooth Fairy project.

    Giving money for teeth has become quite a tradition, but a parent took it a little bit further and with the help of a Raspberry Pi, he managed to connect the Tooth Fairy to his house.


  15. New openSUSE images for Raspberry Pi
    Good news for Raspberry Pi users, there are brand new images of openSUSE for this revolutionary device.


  16. Turn your Raspberry Pi into a web server
    Raspberry Pi is one of the most popular devices around. Educators, enthusiats, students and even Googlers love it. Google has been involved with the Raspberry Pi Foundation to promote the device in the UK. Google gave a grant to the foundation via Google Giving to provide 15,000 Raspberry Pi Model Bs for schoolkids around the UK.


  17. Raspberry Pi's Eben Upton Demos Wayland Support on the Pi


  18. Raspberry Pi Doorlock Uses USB Keys


  19. Temper Pi
    It was inevitable. Back when the Raspberry Pi was announced, I knew I eventually would use one to power a beer fridge. If you have been following my column through the years, you know that three years ago (see my Hack and / column titled "Temper Temper" in the August 2010 issue), I set up a temperature controller for my beer fermenting fridge with an X10 serial controller to control the power to the fridge and a heating pad, an inexpensive TEMPer USB thermometer to take the fridge temperature, and a simple Perl script.


Recent Techrights' Posts

Who Imitates Who? Plagiarist as Client (From Microsoft), 'Plagiarism' at the Law Firm?
let's revisit the subject
Links 10/06/2025: Jaws at 50 and US Democracy Crushed Very Rapidly (Martial Law Seems Imminent)
Links for the day
Abuse Inside the Polish Patent Office (UPRP) - Part VII: Washing Their Hands After Corruption and Abuse
"Tragedy or comedy?"
Culling Bad RSS Feeds of Bad Sites
Not throwing out the baby with the bathwater
 
IBM's CEO Roasted, Sizzled and Grilled for Dumb and Inconsistent Vapourware Promises
It looks like being a chronic liar is what it takes to lead the company once synonymous with computing
IBM's Goal Is Not (and Never Was) Computer Users' Freedom
More than 1.5 decades ago I found IBM to be an "ally of convenience" because of OpenDocument Format (ODF)
Wayland Shows the IBM/Red Hat Way of Doing Things
IBM is trying to 'kill' X
GitHub is Proprietary, Controlled by Microsoft, and GPL Violation Warehouse
"IRS tax filing software [will be] released to the people as free software" ... In general this is good news
Slopfarm Catastrophe
Seems like BetaNews (or BetaNoise) has just suffered a major data loss and restored the site from a week-old backup
Abuse Inside the Polish Patent Office (UPRP) - Part VIII: Illegal Working Conditions
How many people need to die for these people to get their massive salaries?
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
IRC logs for Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Links 10/06/2025: Apple Hype and Physical Attacks on Bloggers
Links for the day
Gemini Links 10/06/2025: Loon Lake, Farming, and Forth
Links for the day
If 'Microsoft v Techrights' is Dealt With by a 'Microsoft Court' (or a Court Outsourced to Microsoft)
More on that later
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Monday, June 09, 2025
IRC logs for Monday, June 09, 2025
Gemini Protocol Turns Six in 10 Days From Now
If you haven't tried it yet, then give it a go today
Live as You Preach
technology is fast becoming dysphoric
Gemini Links 09/06/2025: Addition Addiction and Nitride
Links for the day
Links 09/06/2025: Science, Hardware Projects, and Democracy Receding
Links for the day
Computers Got Smaller, So GNU/Linux Got Bigger
Many people here recognise the lack of urgency (or need) to get expensive new laptops
BetaNews is a Plagiarism and LLM Slop Hub, the Chief Editor Isn't Addressing This Problem Anymore
SS Fagioli is basically a parasite leeching off or exploiting other people's work
Links 09/06/2025: Chaos in Los Angeles and Hurricane Season
Links for the day
GNU/Linux Grows at Windows' Expense and Microsoft Trolls Infest and Maliciously Target Articles About It
Microsoft is - and has long been - organised crime
They Say I'm Mr. Bombastic
They didn't take good lawyers
Links 09/06/2025: Windows TCO and Many Data Breaches
Links for the day
Abuse Inside the Polish Patent Office (UPRP) - Part VI: Political Stunts by Former President Edyta Demby-Siwek and the Connection to Profound Corruption at EUIPO
it's like a money-laundering operation where one politician rewards another at taxpayers' expense
Gemini Links 09/06/2025: Pipelines and Splitgate
Links for the day
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Sunday, June 08, 2025
IRC logs for Sunday, June 08, 2025