gumstix Introduces Tiny Linux Boards and Computers

 
gumstix Introduces Smallest Commercially Available Linux Boards and Computers


Tiny Boards Weigh Less than a Tablespoon of Water


Palo Alto, Calif., April 5, 2004 -- The world's smallest commercially
available Linux boards and computers were officially introduced today by
gumstix, inc., a start-up that produces and sells high performance
Single Board Computers (SBCs) and peripherals. Based on Intel's PXA255
processor with Xscale technology, gumstix tiny boards measure 20mm x
80mm x 8mm.  At nearly half the price of and a third the size of
competitors, gumstix enables software developers to create smaller and
more price conscious embedded devices, applications and products for the
growing Linux market.  

 

Today's announcement includes two gumstixT boards and two waysmallT
computers:

 

o       gumstix 200x comes with 200MHz IntelR PXA255, 64MB SDRAM, 4MB
Flash, Operating System, MMC/SDT slot, Multiple I/O.  Price: $109

o       gumstix 400x comes with 400MHz IntelR PXA255, 64MB SDRAM, 4MB
Flash, an operating system, MMC/SDT slot, Multiple I/O.   Price:  $139

o       waysmall 200x, comes with a gumstix 200x in a gumstix box
(83x25x15mm), 2 mini-DIN8 serial ports, 1 USB mini-B client port and a
power supply.  Price: $139

o       waysmall 400x comes with a gumstix 400x in a gumstix box
(83x25x15mm), 2 mini-DIN8 serial ports, 1 USB mini-B client ports, a
case and a power supply.  Price: $169

 

"With the growing demand for Linux devices, coupled with strong growth
in the embedded architecture market and the demand for increasingly
smaller computing platforms, gumstix provide the ideal solution for
developers," said Gordon Kruberg, founder of gumstix, inc.  "The tiny
gumstix boards and computers offer greater flexibility for the
development of handheld appliances and peripherals, and robotics."  

 

Stackable for easy custom board add-ons, gumstix boards draw <250 mA at
400MHz and can be powered by three AAA NiMH batteries.  A gcc toolchain
offers complete access to open source software for easy porting. gumstix
boards ship with 4MB flash containing u-boot-1.0.0, kernel 2.6.4 and a
root file system.   

 

The waysmall computers offer a 83mm x 36mm x 15mm form factor, and
include a 0.65mm wall adapter (4.0V) power supply.  The mini-B port uses
Linux USB gadget drivers to connect to a host.  The gumstix boards
provide GPIO pins, serial ports, a USB 1.1 client, an MMC card slot as
well as an I2C bus.  

 

The installed software includes a busyboxT implementation with web
server that allows users to establish a network connection over any of
the USB or serial ports.  A complete Linux kernel, including all source
code, plus a cross-compiler let users develop applications on a host PC
and then load them to the gumstix board or waysmall computer to run.

 

Founded on the belief that market demand for wireless technology --
particularly products that support open source solutions such as Linux
-- is shifting toward a ubiquitous computing environment, gumstix, inc.,
was formed to develop a compact product line that enables developers to
create and manage embedded devices and applications at a fraction of the
size and cost of current board and system solutions.

 


About gumstix


 

gumstix develops and sells small, inexpensive, high performance, Linux
systems and peripherals.  Built as an open source platform, gumstix
products support the growing Linux devices market. About the size of a
stick of gum, the systems truly enable the ubiquitous computing market.
gumstix products allow any developer to create and manage embedded
devices and applications.  The company sells direct to commercial users,
designers, and open source enthusiasts.

 

Based near Palo Alto, California, gumstix is privately owned and
operated.  The company was created by venture capitalist and
entrepreneur Gordon Kruberg.  For more information visit
www.gumstix.com.