Splashtop

Infobox OS
name = Splashtop



caption = Splashtop
website = [http://www.splashtop.com/ www.splashtop.com]
developer = DeviceVM
family = Linux
source_model = Proprietary [ [http://www.splashtop.com/faq.php Splashtop Instant-On Desktop from DeviceVM ] ]
latest_release_version =
latest_release_date =
latest_test_version = Community Preview v0.9.0.1
latest_test_date = before 2007/10/06 [ [http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=869&num=3 [Phoronix ASUS Motherboard Ships With Embedded Linux, Web Browser ] ]
marketing_target = Embedded
language =
kernel_type = Monolithic kernel, Linux
ui =
license =
working_state = Development
supported_platforms = x86
updatemodel =
package_manager =

Splashtop is a commercial Linux distribution targeting PC motherboard vendors and other device manufacturers. [ [http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=870 [Phoronix SplashTop To Splash Onto Notebooks, Desktops ] ] It is developed by DeviceVM. [ [http://www.splashtop.com/aboutus-corporate.php Splashtop Instant-On Desktop from DeviceVM ] ]

It uses Bootsplash, SquashFS, Blackbox, SCIM and the Linux kernel 2.6.

Concept

Distinct from most Linux distributions, Splashtop is intended to be integrated on a read-only device and shipped with the hardware, rather than installed by the user. The user can install another operating system but always has this one ready to boot, in case the other one is broken, or in case web browsing and chatting is enough.It boots in about 5 seconds. [http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=869 [Phoronix ASUS Motherboard Ships With Embedded Linux, Web Browser ] ] It is thus marketed as "instant-on."

An "instant-on" operating system offers many advantages over a traditional operating system:
* It boots much faster.
* It is less vulnerable to malware as the system is mostly read-only.
* It allows for diskless computers.
* It is lighter but sufficient for running a web desktop and web applications.

Features

Splashtop features a graphical user interface, a web browser based on Mozilla Firefox 2.0 and a Skype VoIP client software.

Internals

Splashtop seems to work with a 512MB flash memory embedded on the PC motherboard. [ [http://www.geek.com/splashtops-instant-on-linux-desktop/ SplashTop's Instant-On Linux Desktop | Geek.com ] ] A proprietary core engine starts at the BIOS boot and loads a specialized Linux distribution called a "Virtual Appliance Environment" (VAE). While running this VAE, the user can launch "Virtual Appliances" (VA). Skype is a VA, for instance. [http://www.phoronix.net/image.php?id=870&
]

Motherboards featuring Splashtop

As of April 2008, Splashtop is known to be used on the following ASUS motherboards, and on these it is rebranded as Express Gate: [ [http://www.splashtop.com/blog/?p=7 Have we launched? Is this thing on? | On Top of Splashtop ] ]

*P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi AP @n
*P5E3 Premium/WiFi AP @n
*M3N-HT Deluxe/Mempipe
*M3N-HT Deluxe/HDMI
*M3N-H/HDMI
*M3N-HD/HDMI
*M3A-H/HDMI
*M3A78-Pro
*P5N64 WS Professional
*P5Q family (P5Q Deluxe, P5Q-WS, P5Q3 Deluxe, P5Q-E)
*Asus Eee Box motherboard [ [http://www.doeswhat.com/2008/05/19/asus-gives-linux-another-boost Asus gives Linux another boost ] ] [ [http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=3321&p=3 AnandTech: ASUS Eee Box Preview & Intel's Atom Benchmarked ] ]

In May 2008 ASUS announced they want to eventually use Splashtop across their entire motherboard product portfolio. [cite press release
title = Splashtop to Ship on Millions of ASUS Motherboards, Starting with P5Q Family
date = 2008-05-14
url = http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/05/prweb942944.htm
accessdate = 2008-05-15 ] Numerous Splashtop-enabled motherboards, desktops, and laptops will be available internationally in 2008.

Notebooks featuring Splashtop (Express Gate)

A list of ASUS notebooks with Express Gate can be found at the link below:http://promos.asus.com/US/website/Spotlight/July2008/ExpressGate.html

See also

* HyperSpace - another 'instant-on' OS from Phoenix Technologies
* coreboot - another 'instant-on' computing concept

References

* [http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Cetera/Now_your_PC_can_boot-up_faster/articleshow/2734362.cms Now your PC can boot-up faster]
* [http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/20072/?a=f Instant Boot-Up]
* [http://www.linux.com/feature/128004 A hands-on look at the Splashtop instant-on Linux environment]
* [http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=101513 Asus to embed Linux on all motherboards]
* [http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2216838/asus-offer-linux-motherboards Asus to offer Linux on all motherboards]
* [http://www.pcworld.com/article/140663/the_25_most_innovative_products_of_the_year.html The 25 Most Innovative Products of the Year]
* [http://reviews.cnet.com/motherboards/asus-p5e3-deluxe-wifi/4505-3049_7-32643645.html Asus P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP Review]
* [http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-09-03-laptop-instant-on_N.htm New laptops leap hurdles to booting up quickly]

German

* [http://www.computerworld.ch/aktuell/news/42647/index.html Splashtop - von Null auf Internet]
* [http://www.heise.de/tr/Booten-ohne-Verzoegerung--/artikel/102169/0/204 Booten ohne Verzögerung]
* [http://www.computerwoche.de/index.cfm?pid=379&pk=556535 "CPU Level Up" - Wie jedermann den Prozessor auf Trab bringt]

External links

* [http://www.splashtop.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.splashtop.com/blog/ Official blog]
* [http://www.splashtop.com/download3.php?token=1bfb156d0cd5fef5df4a43ad2b46a531 Source Code] (GPLv2) splashtop_src.zip 11.6 mb
* [http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=869 Review on Phoronix.com]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd_kZhbXkXA Video demonstration on YouTube.com]
* [http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/news/2007/11/phoenix# HyperSpace] , a similar product by Phoenix Technologies