Sept/Oct 2005

How much demand is there for Linux-based mobile software solutions? Mobile solutions specialist Extended Systems believes it could become increasingly significant, and as therefore launched a development kit to enable providers to build Bluetooth wireless networking into Linux applications. It is called the XTNDAccess Blue SDK for Linux.

'There is now a definite trend among worldwide device manufacturers to use Linux as their operating system of choice,' says Nathan Pendleton, the company's vice president of mobile device solutions.

The product was due to be 'qualified' by a Bluetooth Qualification Body from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group by September.

For the technically-minded, the SDK runs as a module to Linux kernel version 2.4, enabling developers to implement Bluetooth functionality without having to be an expert in the technology. The protocol stacks, profiles and Linux integration modules are delivered in source code form, and are specifically designed for developers of small, embedded devices.