Who said fragmentation was forever?

The news today says that design automation leader and Nucleus RTOS provider Mentor Graphics is buying embedded Linux tools provider and professional services contractor Embedded Alley for an undisclosed amount.

The most notable aspect of this is that it comes on the heels of Intel’s acquisition of Wind River Systems. Fire sales and mergers are not unusual during flagging economic times, but this is the first time I have been aware of such consolidation happening in the embedded Linux space—not unusual, as that space has only existed for 10 years and this is its first recession.

I would wax poetic on the ramifications of this merger, but Bill Weinberg has already done so. (Hi Bill!)