Gadgets With Linux Inside

An anonymous submitter sends in a link to a quick reference guide of various devices and gadgets that are in some way running Linux. Cell phones, set-top boxes, web pads, internet radios, and some miscellaneous gizmos (definitely take a look at the "other" page).

Comments

Re:Is there any "real" use

[joe_bruin]

these devices ship with linux, it's their embedded os. linux is making enormous gains in the embedded world due to the fact that it is both royalty free to ship, the source is completely available, the development tools are both free and familiar, and there is a fair amount of developers out there who are familiar with the kernel/drivers (but you already know this, of course).

consider a device like the oh-so-popular tivo or something more obscure like the phatbox or other portable devices. the makers of these devices have the options of:

• paying a dollar to people like windriver (who effectively monopolized bsd, along with vxworks, psos, and others) or psion for every unit shipped
• a couple of large bills to for a development license (qnx, ...)
• a mighty sum for development tools (green hills, nucleus, ...)
• all of the above (microsoft windows ce)
• or, get it all for free by using linux.

under many of these options, i doubt these (probably very small) companies would have ever been able to afford to bring a product to market. and every dollar that doesn't go to a 3rd party at retail is a dollar that goes towards r&d for the super-tivo or whatever (or stays in your pocket).

yes, i'm preaching to the choir. let them sing.

joe