Linux Solutions

DeviceVM have announced that its quick-booting Splashtop Linux implementation is being installed in ROM (read-only memory) of four new Asus motherboards. Asus claims it will be shipping over a million Splashtop-ready motherboards a month – which makes this one of the largest Linux deployments ever.

Branded by Asus as, “Express Gate”, Splashtop stores a lightweight Linux environment in flash ROM that enables PC users to instantly and securely browse the web without booting Windows. It is said to boot up a prompt within five second, letting users either continue booting Windows or load a stripped-down Linux environment featuring the Firefox browser, Adobe Flash, Skype and a photo viewer.

After the initial five-second boot-to-prompt, the technology allows the user to enable Firefox browser within a few seconds. Asus hope’s that the ten second from ‘off-to-online’ inspires users to switch off their computers to reduce power usage. Since Splashtop uses less power than Windows, the technology should offer another way to extend battery life, DeviceVM claims.

According to a company blog, DeviceVM recently demonstrated a future version that offers a virtualization option that loads Windows in the background while also quickly starting and using Splashtop. DeviceVM positions itself as a virtualization company, so it seems likely the company is moving toward a truly virtualized environment that lets users quickly switch back and forth between the two operating systems. Potentially, the technology might also be modified to support storage via a USB storage key when wishing to transfer files between the two environments.

According to DeviceVM, Asus is not an exclusive provider of the technology, and further announcements should be forthcoming. The company has received $10M in Series A funding, from investors that include AsusTek, Storm Ventures, DFJ DragonFund China, Tim Draper, iD Innovation (described as a “venture arm started by Acer Group founder Stan Shih), Harbinger Ventures, and “angel investors affiliated with major PC manufacturers Lenovo, Foxconn, Quanta, Compal, etc.”

Joe Hsieh, the general manager of Asus Motherboard’s Business Unit said, “In response to great user feedback, our plan is to proliferate Express Gate across our entire motherboard product portfolio, starting with over one million motherboards per month. Consumers want to turn their PCs on and off like any other appliance, and Express Gate has made that possible.”