Vendors Bundle Software for Designers of Embedded Linux Systems

Chicago and Sydney, Australia – Fluffy Spider Technologies (FST) and Open Kernel Labs (OK) have announced a 4th Quarter 2007 release of an embedded software solution that brings advanced graphics, security, and multimedia features to OEMs of high-end and low-cost mass-market devices.

The bundle benefits innovative OEMs and end-users of consumer, mobile, commercial and industrial devices, such as smart phones, TV set-top boxes, point-of-service terminals, in-car systems and building automation devices that meet and pre-empt current market demands. The alliance also offers OEMs the option of outsourcing the complete software development lifecycle of next generation products.

FST and OK’s technology also provides a quick and easy way for OEMs to transition to other operating systems, such as Linux, with minimal, if any, modifications to their existing applications. The bundle consists of:

• FancyPants™, FST's award-winning platform for the development of embedded applications with advanced GUIs and high-performance multimedia capabilities; offering an unparalleled user experience by enabling OEMs to quickly and easily create embedded applications with a breathtaking look and feel, while reducing development and hardware costs.
• OKL4, Open Kernel Labs’ microkernel operating system and virtualization technology, providing the best-performance and enabling development of reliable, trustworthy and affordable embedded systems.

This is one outcome of their joint research, development and marketing alliance announced April 17, 2007 and builds upon an initial Memorandum Of Understanding, dated May 30, 2006, between FST and NICTA – Australia’s ICT Research Centre of Excellence and the incubator for OK. NICTA began the joint research that generated the technology leading to current business opportunities for FST and OK.

The upcoming release of FancyPants Version 2.0 provides further support for multiple operating systems and applications, within the one device, and with a seamless user interface. The look-and-feel of the interface can also be personalized by the end-user or remotely updated (e.g. for re-branding purposes), including skins and screen layouts.

This diagram provides an example where two Real Time Operating Systems and one General Purpose Operating System are present.

The OKL4 implementation of FancyPants provides an integrated solution for both high-end and low-cost mass-market devices, with a very small footprint that reduces hardware resource requirements and costs. Diagram 2A shows a high-end device. Diagram 2B shows a low-cost mass-market device.

“We look forward to the ongoing collaborative delivery of products that enable OEMs to further differentiate themselves and offer better end-user service through highly innovative and secure devices. We provide options with a common approach for both high-end and low-cost mass markets,” said Robi Karp, CEO, Fluffy Spider Technologies.

“From our initial engagement with FST to date, our collaboration has created many commercial opportunities,” said Steve Subar, CEO and co-founder of Open Kernel Labs. “We are actively involved with world-leading OEMs and chip-set manufacturers who have expressed high interest in the joint technology offerings. We expect to announce these relationships within the year.”