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from the next-up-are-mcot-msofa-and-mrecliner dept.
Reported last week at the BBC, CNet and IEEE Spectrum is the news that ARM is launching a new OS targeting low power, low footprint devices.
The operating system, called mbed OS, is meant to resolve productivity problems that arise from fragmentation—where different devices in the so-called “Internet of things” (IoT) market run on a hodgepodge of different protocols. ARM is looking to consolidate those devices under a single software layer that's simple, secure, and free for all manufacturers to use.
(Although the IEEE article reports that "this is the first operating system ARM has ever developed", that slightly glosses over the history of RiscOS by Acorn, of which ARM was a subsidiary.)
The software comes as a free "mbed OS" and a licensable "Device server". Although parts of the OS will be open source:
ARM says it wants to retain control of other parts to ensure mbed remains unfragmented
More technical details at the mbed developer site. One oddity is the Online Toolchain, which provides the device IDE and version control online.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Tuesday October 07 2014, @05:56PM
Internet of things is nice if done the right way and with restraint (my fork doesn't need it..). Now it's the case with many devices coming with an umbilical cord that can be yanked at will and will be used to spy on you. The hardware is useless to modify to ones need or to recycle in a meaningful way because it's all glued up and undocumented on purpose or just had the never clear bit set.
(Score: 2) by BasilBrush on Tuesday October 07 2014, @06:42PM
Now it's the case with many devices coming with an umbilical cord that can be yanked at will and will be used to spy on you.
Note that the well known recent story on this was the LG smart TV that was spying on it's users. Note that it is using an open source OS - WebOS with is Linux based. That neither stopped it being used for spying, nor enabled discovery (it was found via packet sniffing, not source examination), nor did it let the user eliminate the spying - other than by publicising it in the hope of shaming LG into changing.
This idea that an open source OS keeps you safe from spying is just wrong on every level.
Hurrah! Quoting works now!
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Tuesday October 07 2014, @08:11PM
Open source won't keep you safe. It will enable you to take action. But if don't do anything you will be at the mercy of others.