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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 VLM on Tuesday October 07 2014, @07:08PM
The problem is the mfgrs have a vested financial interest in not making it work without an upgrade, and making the only way to get an upgrade to be buying a new device.
I suspect mfgrs are fairly pissed off they're not making money selling a new BT earpiece every time they sell a new phone or a new phone every time you need a new earpiece. Or charger for that matter. I imagine they're salivating at the smart watch idea, if only they can 1:1 product tie individual watch models to individual phone models by doing a precisely bad job of software.
Consumer electronics has never been very consumer friendly or environmentally friendly. I don't expect that to change just because of some software.
One IoT component I don't understand is I'm old enough to culturally recognize the icon of the VCR that flashes 12:00. Society just hasn't changed enough for an internet of things to "sell" to the general public.
(Score: 2) by BasilBrush on Tuesday October 07 2014, @07:30PM
I suspect mfgrs are fairly pissed off they're not making money selling a new BT earpiece every time they sell a new phone or a new phone every time you need a new earpiece.
You're too cynical. The manufacturers wouldn't have created the Bluetooth standards if they didn't see interoperability as an advantage. They could have gone for the same model as the razor/blade or printer/ink manufacturers, but they didn't.
Hurrah! Quoting works now!