SIGNALInfrastructure Software·May 20, 2026, 2:25 PMSignal30Short term

Patches Trying To Bring Mainline Linux Support For The Infineon/Intel XMM6260 Modem

Source: Phoronix

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Patches Trying To Bring Mainline Linux Support For The Infineon/Intel XMM6260 Modem

While it has been nearly seven years since Apple acquired the Intel Mobile Communications' smartphone modem business and fifteen years since Intel acquired the wireless solutions division of Infineon, in 2026 we might see mainline Linux kernel support for the out-of-date XMM6260 modem...

Why this matters
Why now

The effort to mainlining support for the XMM6260 modem appears to be driven by ongoing community development, despite the hardware's age and the original vendor's divestment.

Why it’s important

This indicates continued community effort to expand Linux hardware compatibility, potentially reducing reliance on proprietary drivers and extending the lifespan of older, specialized hardware.

What changes

Mainline Linux support for the XMM6260 modem would enable broader use of this specific modem in open-source projects or niche applications without proprietary dependencies.

Winners
  • · Open-source hardware developers
  • · Embedded Linux projects
  • · Hardware recyclers
Losers
  • · Proprietary modem driver developers
Second-order effects
Direct

The Intel XMM6260 modem gains official Linux kernel support, making it easier to integrate into open-source systems.

Second

This might inspire further community efforts to revive and support other 'end-of-life' but still functional hardware components.

Third

Increased accessibility to older hardware through open-source drivers could subtly contribute to a more circular economy in electronics.

Editorial confidence: 85 / 100 · Structural impact: 10 / 100
Original report

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