|
|
Subscribe / Log in / New account

From Lego robots to hammers and nails, Linux gets embedded (Network World)

Network World visited the "garage" at the LinuxWorld expo this week to look at various gadgets running Linux. Several different devices are highlighted including the Talking Book digital audio recorder, Linuxstamp and Tin Can Tools boards for embedded hobbyists (as well as developers), OpenMoko, and more. "The device, which will cost under $10 and is slated for production in mid-2009, is targeted at developing countries where aid workers must pass on critical and often life-saving information to local people who have no way of taking notes. The Talking Book provides a library of easily retrievable recordings on such topics as helping mothers recognize the symptoms of TB or explaining how best to treat dehydration in their children."

to post comments

Just curious...

Posted Aug 8, 2008 18:57 UTC (Fri) by pr1268 (guest, #24648) [Link] (2 responses)

Just curious (and forgive me if this is too far off-topic): What's the smallest device (i.e., physical dimensions and/or mass/weight) that currently runs (or can run) Linux?

The Talking Book uses a 16-bit Generalplus 96 MHz microprocessor, similar to those found in talking toys, along with embedded Linux.

I thought that Linux could only run on a 32-bit (or later) CPU/architecture. Am I mistaken? Or, might this particular example be heavily hacked to run on a 16-bit arch? Thanks!

Just curious...

Posted Aug 8, 2008 19:14 UTC (Fri) by leoc (guest, #39773) [Link]

What's the smallest device (i.e., physical dimensions and/or mass/weight) that currently runs (or can run) Linux?

My vote would be for this. 19mm x 19mm x 36mm x 18 grams.

Just curious...

Posted Aug 9, 2008 20:29 UTC (Sat) by njs (subscriber, #40338) [Link]

And it's presumably uClinux, btw.

JTAG

Posted Aug 8, 2008 19:33 UTC (Fri) by dmarti (subscriber, #11625) [Link]

One really useful thing about the Tin Can Tools board is that it has JTAG built in -- so you don't need to buy and keep track of USB JTAG adapters for your embedded development training.


Copyright © 2008, Eklektix, Inc.
Comments and public postings are copyrighted by their creators.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds