Proposal for GPLv3 Embedded Controller Laptop/Tablet Software
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Introduction
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Free Software is ironically in danger of being exploited, with Tivoisation and
Android being the tip of an enormous GPL-violations iceberg.  To turn this
situation around, an initiative is underway to involve Free Software Developers
much more in the development process of the actual hardware which will end up
in mass-produced devices.

In order for that to happen - the mass-produced yet completely compliant
device being shipped - the finished products need to be both desirable as well
as reasonably priced.  Thus, it makes sense to use an Embedded Controller
which already has a Free Software Community around it (as well as a GPLv3
Library).

Project Goals
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So the goal is: to use an STM32F to create a prototype Laptop/Tablet
Controller, programmed entirely in GPLv3 Software and developed entirely
as a Publicly-accessible Community Project, with the following hardware
capabilities:

* Stereo Class D Speakers (0.5 watts each) (over USB)
* Mono Microphone (over USB)
* Battery Monitoring and Battery Charging
* 4-wire Resistive Touchsreen
* Mouse Controller (as a USB HID device)
* 8x8 Keyboard Matrix (as a USB HID device)
* LED LCD PWM Backlight Control

Also, the Software must present itself where possible and appropriate, as
standard USB devices (USB Audio, USB HID).  Also required to be developed will
be associated Linux Kernel Device Drivers.

Testing and Development can take place entirely with an Arduino-like
STM32F Board as well as a GNU/Linux-based PC acting as the host, as the
requirements are to have all data accessible over USB.

Further Development into Mass-volume Products
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Ultimately the goal is that an STM32F, along with associated GPLv3-compliant
firmware, and implementations of the prototyped circuits, will end up in
tablets, laptops and other mass-produced devices, where end-users will then
have the right, in advance thanks to access to the GPLv3 Software, to
re-program their devices because the Software will already be publicly
accessible.

This is a complete turn-around - the complete opposite of the present
situation, where firmware and OSes are developed in total secrecy, and GPL
compliance, if there is any, is often made after the mass-produced product
has reached end-of-life.

Also, it is worthwhile mentioning that the mass-produced devices also aim
to be developed along the same lines, as well as being compliant with an
Open-Standards-Compliant Specification that allows end-users to upgrade their
Processor Card at will (without disassembly of the device, and without
requiring the device to be taken to an expert).

Details of this Open Standard are here:
http://elinux.org/Embedded_Open_Modular_Architecture/PCMCIA