Linux

Work by the Multicore Association to provide a standard way for applications running on different processors to communicate with each other is leading to active implementations.

ARM has gone back to the 32bit realm for its latest Cortex-A processor core, aiming the device at a new generation of low-cost platforms inspired by the success of the Raspberry Pi as well as wearables.

Siemens has developed an open-source implementation of the Multicore Association's MTAPI to make it easier to divide and manage concurrent tasks that run on systems with multiple processors.

Mentor Graphics has expanded its portfolio of tools and software for the automotive market with its second acquisition of the year in this sector.

Imagination Technologies has set up an open-source effort that mirrors ARM's Linaro group and cut a deal with Oracle for Java optimization.

ARM has launched the -R version of its v8 architecture, targeting applications in automotive and industrial systems and possibly spawning a new generation of Linux-oriented microcontollers.

Half the price, a 1GHz processor, 2GB of integrated storage and some 'interesting' plug-in capes. All for $45. Let the wild Linux-Making begin.

Embedded hardware and software are experiencing exciting advances but free, open source technologies only go so far in connecting them. Help is on the way.

The Yocto Project brings the 'ecosystem' concept to embedded Linux and the tool vendor's launch builds that idea out nicely.