Press Releases

INDIAN WELLS, Calif., DEMO 2000 -- February 7, 2000 -- MontaVista Software Inc., developer of the Hard Hat^TM Linux¬ operating system for embedded computers, today announces that Hard Hat Linux is the software engine for the world's first standalone Internet radio. Cupertino, Calif.-based Kerbango, Inc. developed the Internet radio for accessing Web-based streaming audio without a PC. The announcement was made as Kerbango unveiled its Internet radio at the DEMO 2000 conference, an annual forum showcasing the year's most exciting new products and technologies.

"MontaVista software is privileged to be Kerbango's preferred supplier for embedded Linux," says MontaVista Software President and CEO Jim Ready, a pioneer in real-time embedded operating systems. "With its wealth of networking software, Linux is naturally accompanying the Internet revolution as the host to applications like Internet-enabled multi-media, SOHO appliances and home network gateways. Kerbango's Internet radio is an outstanding example of a post-PC device with 'Linux Inside'."

MontaVista debuted its Hard Hat Linux distribution last year for CompactPCI platforms, a popular choice for use in telecommunications and Internet access applications. The version of Hard Hat Linux deployed by Kerbango extends the features in earlier releases to include custom embedded hardware support, small memory footprint, flash file system support and integration of streaming media.

"MontaVista's Hard Hat Linux met our criteria for size, portability and reliability," said Carl C. Hewitt, Kerbango's co-founder and chief technology officer. "Customers will expect Internet appliances to work like their telephones and TV sets. No crashes, error messages or reboots. MontaVista's Hard Hat product provides the underpinnings we need to achieve this goal. And, of course, we couldn't beat the price!"

Embedded Linux Background Linux is fast becoming a platform of choice by designers of embedded computers from telecommunications switching equipment to Internet appliances. In addition to being very rich in basic operating system technology, Linux comes free: Open-source licenses require that the source of the software be freely available to anyone who wishes to use it. That means developers of embedded systems can compress it and tweak it to suit the needs of their embedded applications.

There are several reasons for Linux's growing popularity by designers of Internet appliances. In addition to being open-source, Linux is based upon the notion of protected applications, and makes extensive use of the underlying microprocessor's Memory Management Unit (MMU) to keep the system running without fail. Linux supports a wide variety of microprocessors, device drivers and bus architectures. It can be configured as small as a system allows and booted remotely.

MontaVista partners with Force Computers Inc., Motorola Computer Group, Ziatech Corp. and WinSystems Inc. Hard Hat Linux runs on those companies' CompactPCI¬ and single-board computer (SBC) platforms.

For more information about Hard Hat Linux and MontaVista Software Inc., please call 408-328-9213 or e-mail MontaVista.

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About MontaVista Software, Inc.

MontaVista Software Inc., founded in 1999 by real-time operating system pioneer James Ready, delivers open-source software solutions for the worldwide embedded software market. MontaVista's principal offering is the Linux¬ operating system tailored for embedded software applications. MontaVista products include Hard HatTM Linux, a standard off-the-shelf binary distribution of Linux for PowerPC and x86 architectures. Hard Hat Linux is supported by a comprehensive tool suite including optimizing compilers for C, C++ and other languages; high-level language debuggers; and performance monitoring tools. The company's Subscription Plans also provide Linux support, porting and customization services to customers worldwide. MontaVista headquarters are in Sunnyvale, Calif., in the heart of the Silicon Valley.

 

 

About Kerbango, Inc.

Founded in 1998 by former Apple Computer and Power Computing executives, and joined by radio veterans from OnRadio, Kerbango, Inc. is a privately held Cupertino, California company formed to provide Internet audio services and Internet radio devices. Available from the company's website, www.kerbango.com, the Kerbango Tuning Service (KTS) is a content-rich, easy-to-use directory for access to Internet audio from around the world. The company introduced the first standalone Internet radio appliance in 2000, which works with KTS to make finding and listening to Internet audio easier and more reliable.

 

Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Hard Hat is a trademark of MontaVista Software Inc. CompactPCI is a registered trademark of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers' Group. The PowerPC name and PowerPC logotype are trademarks of the International Business Machines Corporation, used under license therefrom. All other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.

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