14 DAY TRIAL // Unicon Systems, a Linux handheld software and hardware technology developer based in California, US, has started shipping a Mobile Linux Development Kit (Mkit), which is said to be the first mobile Linux development kit to hit the market.
Being introduced last year, at the LinuxWorld Expo, the kit is intended to support the development of handheld devices for industrial, security, educational and medical applications. Reportedly, the company's patented, wireless and mobile chip-on film Linux computer is based on an ARM9 embedded CPU running full blown Linux 2.6 and attached to the back of a 3.5 inch touchscreen.
It comes equipped with several connectivity options such as 2.0 high-speed USB host ports and WiFi. Unicon will be offering two development kit models, MKit-consumer (available at the moment), and MKit industrial which is to become available soon. Along with MKit, Unicon will also offer a highly integrated System-on-Display standard component.
"Our innovative technology allows developers to only worry about the application, while Unicon provides a complete handheld hardware platform including Ethernet, serial port and WiFi connectivity," Said Richard De Soto, Unicon's CEO. "As a result, Unicon's platform enables developers to cut down on time to market equivalent to 10 man-years."
Featuring a 3.5 inch color touchscreen and Linux running platform on an ARM9 processor, it still maintains a compact and slim form factor. It is also the perfect solution for mass manufacturing, as it combines cost-effectiveness with a slim, durable design and is well-protected against reverse engineering.
Unicon is providing a complete solution including the handheld hardware platform (MKit) as well as cost effective System-on-Display components for mass production. By making use of Unicon's innovative technology, developers will only need to worry about designing the application.