Platform aids mobile Linux deployment

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jul 3, 2003

A new platform and application development tools combine to simplify the creation of mobile computing devices powered by the Linux operating system and Java technology.

The creation of mobile computing devices powered by the Linux operating system and Java technology just got easier with the launch of the Metrowerks OpenPDA platform and Metrowerks CodeWarrior for OpenPDA application development tools.

The OpenPDA platform is a comprehensive development solution that offers professional grade tools, commercial software, integration services and training designed to speed and simplify the creation of mobile and network-connected computing devices for enterprise, industrial, consumer and other markets.

OpenPDA solutions enhance innovative hardware designs with industry-leading software for increased productivity and advanced application development.

The Metrowerks OpenPDA platform is designed for systems based on ARM and MIPS technologies, and includes a pre-integrated framework containing GUI and Java technology combined with a Linux operating system kernel, to help significantly reduce development cycles and speed overall time to market.

OpenPDA solutions also include the Metrowerks Platform Creation Suite, an intuitive GUI-based development environment used to configure, build and deploy the OpenPDA platform.

Metrowerks is working with the world's leading semiconductor companies to enable developers to port OpenPDA applications to several different silicon architectures.

During the coming weeks, Metrowerks plans to announce OpenPDA support for two widely used reference boards.

"As wireless manufacturers continue the migration to devices based on the Linux operating system, developers need a standard platform, such as OpenPDA solutions, along with commercial-grade tools, middleware, training and licensing services to fully leverage the advantages the Linux operating systems provide for building cutting edge, mass-market mobile devices", said Berardino Baratta, Metrowerks CTO and Vice President, Linux Solutions Group.

"The Metrowerks legacy of supporting the development community continues with the introduction of the OpenPDA solutions, which help developers bypass time-intensive systems-level integration tasks and get a head start on what they do best - developing applications".

The Metrowerks OpenPDA software development platform leverages the technology of leading companies including the Trolltech Qtopia multilanguage user interface, the esmertec integrated Java virtual machine and the Opera Software full-featured web browser.

Extended capabilities such as desktop synchronisation utilities and mobile networking are also included, along with an enhanced Linux kernel and drivers for improved systems performance and reliability.