Piyush,
Here is why I am worrying over Linux more and more:
Real time or not, Linux' performance shouldn't be an issue for STBs or smart terminals. All it needs to be is fast enough, and I think Linux is. (If anyone has specific numbers or reasoning disapproving my assumption, I would like to hear them.)
The main challenge that I see with the today's smart appliances is the problem of keeping up with the changes of the Internet. I was quite surprised at the Embedded Conference to find out that many of today's embedded web browser didn't support features such as SSL and Java Script. Although, Espial's browser, which runs on VxWorks, supports these features, I wonder how will it support the many ever changing plug-ins used on the Internet. Unlike any embedded platform, Linux has a PC base to gather constantly updated applications. For RedHat, most of these applications are free and effortless. But who is going to do it for an embedded OS or embedded browser for free? VxWorks is not at a position to boast such claims. This is an advantage unique to Linux, and this is why I think Linux has a real shot at taking a chunk out of the STB and smart terminal market. (Java may be a wild card that changes everything. In the past, I have been negative over the progress of Java acceptance. Lately, I am changing my view, because I think the application service providers will make Java very popular.)
As for hardware, there will be plenty cheap x86 based embedded processors made by Taiwanese manufactures and National Semi. What if RedHat and National strike a deal for a STB reference design using Linux/x86? I think it will be a serious product.
Regards,
lkj |
