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Linux-powered ice cream

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Expertise Processors, semiconductors, web browsers, quantum computing, supercomputers, AI, 3D printing, drones, computer science, physics, programming, materials science, USB, UWB, Android, digital photography, science. Credentials
  • Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.
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Stephen Shankland

If there was any doubt that Linux is catching on in embedded computing devices, a company called MooBella can put it to rest.

The Taunton, Mass.-based company is using the open-source operating system to control its vending machines that whip up customized ice cream, according to embedded Linux site LinuxDevices.com. The systems dispense 12 flavors of ice cream that can be mixed with extras such as peanut butter cups or walnuts. According to the company's Web site, "The MooBella team has created a multi-patented, fully automated ice cream process that will change ice cream forever!"

LinuxDevices reports that each system uses a 1.3GHz AMD 2600 processor, 512MB of memory and a 40GB hard drive. One proprietary wireless network monitors internal systems such as thermometers, while a second communicates via satellite so remote operators can monitor ingredient inventory and system health. The systems use Linux technology a few years old: the 2.4 kernel and the file system of Red Hat Linux version 9.