Survey of Linux-Based Gadgets & Devices

An anonymous reader writes "NewsFactor Network recently asked: Where Are All the Cool Embedded-Linux Gadgets? Well, LinuxDevices.com has just updated its answer to that question. The Embedded Linux "Cool Devices" Quick Reference Guide now encompasses 123 Linux-based gadgets and devices in 7 categories, including PDAs, mobile-phones, IP-phones, audio/video entertainment, tablet computers, gateways/routers, servers, wireless access points, robots, web-enabled cameras, telematics, industrial controllers, wrist watches, and last but not least, a DIY category: little Linux systems for projects and products. Lots of great pictures, too."

Comments

and Xbox?

[1seconddelay]

Cant the xbox run on linux. PS2?

Re:Did anyone ever consider

[RLiegh]

Who says you can't have both a quailty product which happens to be made with linux?

Hell, some of us wilder, more extreme types consider Linux as a *sign* of quality!

surprised at how little

[Anonymous Coward]

Well there are a lot of networking devices (no suprise to anyone here since it's basically a stock Linux box on cheap PC or non-PC hardware), and quite a few media devices, I'm surprised at the small number of devices in other categories.

I'm suprised we aren't seeing Linux in more phones, televisions, clocks, cameras and such. What's more, the list includes several rather exagerated "products" such as the Indrema system that was canned a long time ago and two IBM Linux wristwatches that will never go into production, but are merely interesting research projects.

The most interesting devices are the Motorola and Sony ones. It looks like both of those companies have a serious (as in credible, not as in very large) interest in embedded Linux. Even there, though, the devices are answers looking for questions, not things that are likely to generate large numbers of sales.

I've always thought that even though it is technically inferior in many ways, embedded Linux would beat out Windows CE just because of the economics of the embedded market scene. If this list is to be believed as representing the scope and penetration of embedded Linux, it is way behind and is unlikely to catch up.

Re:surprised at how little

[Lumpy]

I'm suprised we aren't seeing Linux in more phones, televisions, clocks, cameras and such.

because for most products ANY os is pure stupidity.

Car stereo? Why? a simple embedded processor running the app directly talking to the i2c reciever and audio chips is plenty and 9,000,000 time cheaper.

TV, toaster, Fridge, clocks? there is no reason to make a $49.00 alarm clock cost $299.95 just so it can run linux.

Linux is there more than Windows for embedded. but it's nowhere near RTOS and Embedded DOS.

and most critical systems run NO OS.

I agree with you about the MS versus windows in a pda.. My zaurus is the only device that I have found to be more useable than a palm device. I have a drawer full of Windows CE and pocket PC devices that are not used because CE completely sucks. and pocket PC isn't much better.

Luckily many of the HP journadas use the same LCD screen as the Pronto remote so I've been cannabalizing them...(amazing how a board-room get's enoguh physical abuse that they smash the remot's screen TWICE!) so they are useful in a way.

Re:a growing market

[I_Heat_Sexylaid]

If you're really MdI, why aren't you running Gnome on your gadgetry?
Or did Root Mean Square give special dispensation?

Re:Did anyone ever consider

[kramer2718]

I don't think that the point of the article was: 'Hey these products run linux, go buy them.'

I think it was more just an encouraging note (especially to linux developers) that linux can keep up in the embedded systems market.

Re:Sigh

[orcrist]

I think a lot of geeks end up going on the principle "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush", or... "a **** in the bush is worth a lot more than one in the hand". ;-)
*groan*, i know it's bad

-chris