In addition to the article about the new ARM multicore, please note two other significant developments:

The ColdFire is getting an MMU. This processor, built by Motorola (becoming Freescale) is the second most popular embedded controller after the ARM. With this development, the ColdFire will be able to run Linux; right now, it is limited to running only the non-MMU version, uCLinux.

Also of note, IBM is giving away tools for the PowerPC processor. As the article points out, "While this is all well and good, what IBM really needs to do is get a basic, inexpensive Power machine into the hands of tens of thousands of Linux nerds who are not going to be able to muster the resources to acquire an iSeries or pSeries server. What IBM really needs to do is get a Mini-ITX motherboard together that supports the 64-bit PowerPC 970 or even the 32-bit PowerPC 440 processor, jam it into a fanless case, and make it available as a configured system for $500 or less. Documentation and trial software is only going to get the Power architecture so many supporters, particularly when 32-bit Linux on Pentium iron is so inexpensive. What IBM has done is a good first step, but it is only just that: a first step." IBM is cognizant of this problem: "Don't have an iSeries or pSeries machine? No problem. Get started on IA32 with our no-charge Software Evaluation Kit and then use our porting centers to test your application on PowerPC architectures."

You can check out what IBM is doing here. This page shows what's available for download; although they can be downloaded for no charge, they are labeled as "evaluation" packages, implying that this is not "free as in free beer".

What impact will all of this have? It remains to be seen. Obviously, Linux is making a big intrusion into the world of embedded control, especially in the consumer arena. On the desktop, we'll wait to make a judgement. My guess is that it's going to be tough unless the prices for alternative processor platforms comes down and they become more popular, or if some other factor (for example, DRM) forces the issue.

Update 1: Another one rolled in this afternoon, this time an ARM9 with math coprocessor and Ethernet interface for less than USD 10.00: from Cirrus Logic, the EP9302 also has two USB ports and comes in a 208 pin QFP package.