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Some corrections to HenryWirz's post:

The developer model (SL5000D) was selling for $399 from Sharp.

At the JavaOne conference, they sold them for $299, which included a wireless card. You could also get it without the card for $199.

The 5000D has 32MB of RAM (typically split down the middle between program space and storage, though you can change this).

The 5500 has 64MB of RAM (also split down the middle.)

-bill!

I signed up to be a developer for the Zaurus several weeks ago. I placed my order and had it in my hands within two days. The first thing I did was update the ROM to the latest image. I also updated the drivers for my PC. I hooked up the cradle to my Windows 2k workstation, that does in fact use Outlook. It worked perfect the first time. And with the developer edition no less. Everything synched perfectly.

I seriously have loved this thing since I got my hands on it. That is saying a lot since I have hated every single PDA I have ever had before this. I think the keyboard is great, but it is definitely not for the fat fingered user. One thing that you can not tell from the pictures is that the keys are a hard plastic, not soft rubber. At first I made the mistake of trying to punch them with the stylus. It slipped off for the most part. So I went with the double thumbs technique that is popular with the text messaging via cell phone crowd. Now I can rip right through the keys, oh and they have a very nice tactile click when pressed. I could seriously go on all day about this product. But here are some cool links to an open source version of the Rom image that removes the Jeode JVM and Opera (which has now been replaced with Konqueror). I just have to assume the guy from the WSJ is a fat fingered dolt.


Sharp Developers Program

The OpenZaurus Program

Program Overview

OpenZuarus Downloads

I just got the Zaurus 5000D from JavaOne this year and I have had very few problems. It syncs with Outlook without any problems. I was also able to setup internet connection sharing through the USB connection so that I could use the Zaurus to browse while it was in the cradle.

In addition to that, for the geeks out there, I have installed sshd, boa (webserver), and a samba server. I also saw Perl and Python for the Zaurus, but I am waiting on my SD memory card before I install too much more. There are many programs out there already that make this a PDA I might actually use, and most of them are Open Source.

There are several good development sites out there: ZaurusZone and sharp's own Developer Site. You can download the kernel for it from Sharp's site and recompile it yourself because they have detailed instructures and supply a link to a gcc cross-compiler for the ARM processor.

In the Zaurus development guide they explain that the easiest way to do development for it is to NFS mount a shared drive onto the Zaurus. That is just cool.

I would totally agree that it is not for suits, but for the geek in me it has been one of the coolest things I have played with in a while.

~Giliath

Actually there's the developer version with 32MB instead of 64MB of ram. I just got one for $199 at the Java One conference where they were selling them. I think they're more over the web, but still less than $499.

You listed the iPAQ as having 64 MBs of memory. You neglected to mention that it also has a 32 MB flash rom.

The Zaurus also has flash rom, I'm not sure how much but probably a comparable amount.

With the Zaurus, you are locked into CompactFlash and the comparitively useless SD card. Sure, it's a little bit extra, but I'll stick with my PC card expandibility.The SD card isn't useless. It lets you put expansion flash (128 MB SD cards are available) in the SD slot and have the CF slot free for a modem or network card, without needing any bulky sleeves. The iPaq sleeve system is kind of cool but if you use the full sized PCMCIA version (especially the two slot one) and the external keyboard, you're heading toward the bulk of a small laptop. I just don't see much point to that.

You are also correct in mentioning that the Zaurus does not come with a microphone or speaker, and the iPAQ comes equipped with both.

I think it's unfortunate that the Zaurus has no mic or speaker, however it has a mic input port which the iPaq lacks. The iPaq's internal mic is not very good and it's a real deficiency that you can't use an external mic with the iPaq. The Zaurus lets you use an external mic including a cellular phone headset mic. If you want to do speech processing applications (that's why I bought the Z and the iPaq) then a headset mic is a better input method than having to hold the PDA up to your face to talk into it. So I'd have to say the Z's approach is (for my purposes) preferable to the iPaq's. Of course I'd prefer to have a built-in mic and speaker and external jacks, but if I have to choose one or the other, there's a fairly good argument for external-only.

Note that it's the developer version (SL-5000D) not the retail SL-5500D. The main difference I can notice is the dev. version has 32M of RAM and the retail version has 64M.

The thing is nice, though not the hacker's dream that I hoped for. For example, the apps are rough around the edges and source code for them doesn't seem to be available.

My biggest gripe about the hardware is the stylus is too small. I'm using an iPaq stylus with it which is a lot better.

Also, it's not clear whether there's audio input. There's a voice recorder program that says plug in a mono mic with 3.5mm plug, but there's only one jack that size and it's intended for stereo headphones. I've never heard of multiplexing a jack between headphones and a mic. I'll try it with a mic but I think the software and docs were written for some different piece of hardware.

Not that I like Java or intend to use it, but Sharp seems to build their entire handheld software on Java. Here is the developer site
Since it's a Linux PDA and has a fast CPU, I will probably get one. But I will put X11 on it, so that it gets really useful.

The new Sharp Zaurus has a JVM installed in it. I'm not sure how many developers are going to use it, but it's there. You can check out some details here.

I have that right now with my Zaurus (built in keyboard) and Kinkatta (aim application).

For anyone that was at ces and saw me, I was walking around chatting with folks back in Boston about what I was seeing (confirming that Royal's new pda was nothing more then a plastic prototype)

Best part about the Zaurus for me is that it is based on open source and I can add anything new that I want (as I did with Kinkatta).

I wonder if palm came out with it's keyboard just because of the pressure from the Zaurus?

Also where would you put the keyboard thingy if you wanted to keep you Palm in any sort of case?

-Benjamin Meyer

I don't know, as stated above PDAs are not development platforms in general. StrongARMs etc. are nice CPUs, but I wouldn't compile my Java stuff on them.
IMO the optimal PDA for the developer is the one, with which you can edit textfiles fast and comfortable and compile them later on you PC/Laptop. From this point of view you have several choices:
The new Sharp Zaurus Linux PDA - Besides the cool fact it runs linux, it has this cool mini-keyboard, which is pretty fast to use, so editing should be easy with it.
A Psion PDA - okay, they run epoc R5, which is pretty outdated now, but the keyboard is a pleasure to use and with a little practice almost as good as a normal keyboard. If you don't like Epoc here's the project to get linux run on 'em.

So the third possibility, would be a Palm + Palmkeyboard, but from my experience editing is not really fun on a Palm.
So, I would suggest, that you buy the Zaurus, if you just want a Linux toy to play around with and code a bit and get a Psion, if you want a stable PDA for many things + coding.
X

I ordered their Power Play III. They said it would take six to eight weeks to ship.

They charged my credit card within one day.

Eight weeks later, I still had not heard anything, after emailing them twice.

Finally, they responded to my email, and told me that my PDA would ship on the 19th of November, and that it would take an additional week to arrive.

They would not give me a tracking number, no matter how many times I emailed.

After the week was up, the PDA had still not arrived. I waited another three days, and still nothing.

In the meantime, I had ordered the Sharp Zaurus SL-5000D, and I got it in eight days.

I therefore wrote to the sales and info people at Empower Technologies, and I told them that I no longer wanted the PowerPlay III. They said they would issue me a refund, and since FedEx *still* had not delivered the PowerPlay III, that they would have FedEx return it directly to them and then issue me a refund.

A day later, and two days after I got my SL-5000D, FedEx delivered it. I checked the Tracking Number to see that FedEx had delivered it somewhere else first, but apparently Empower didn't see fit to check that.

So now I had a PowerPlay III that I no longer wanted, after being assured that Empower would have it directed back to them.

I wrote them again, and they said *I* was responsible for shipping it back to them. Furthermore, I was to insure it, and then give them a tracking number!! Needless to say, I was rather upset (since they wouldn't give me one), and wrote them a nice but firm email. They changed their tune, and then told me that I would get "reimbursed" for the shipping.

The next day, a FedEx guy showed up at my house (I was at work) to pick up the PowerPlay. Empower had called FedEx for a pick up order, but they did not tell me first!! Since I was at work, the package wasn't ready.

Then they said they would have FedEx pick it up again. The package stayed between my doors waiting for FedEx to return for another week. They never did.

Finally, I dropped it in a FedEx box, and it was redelivered to me. I got very upset at that point, and wrote to Empower that they had better call for FedEx pick up, and have them meet me. They have finally done that, and as of this morning, the package is on its way back to Empower. I checked "Bill To Sender" on the FedEx form, and the FedEx guy took it even though there was no account number.

I have yet to see how long it will take to get my refund, but I am not holding my breath!!!

In short, while more expensive, the Sharp Zaurus SL-5000D was a much better product, from a much more reliable company.

Gee. Maybe you could check out the Zaurus developer's site. There you'd find this:

"According to the PersonalJava Technology White Paper, PJAE's target device is specified as follows: less than 2MB of ROM, 1MB of RAM..."

It's in the section "Java on the Sharp PDA."

But, by all means, keep guessing. Why let pesky facts get in the way?

Here is a pretty cool demonstration of the product. Interactive, flashy kind of thing.

1. There are some really good pictures of the device at Sharp's UK site. (For dial-up users, be forewarned that they are a bit large.)
2. Currently, the device only synchs with Windows, but SSH/SCP has already been ported, so you can at least FTP with a Linux machine (and securely, to boot!)
3. Someone has already ported the Seminole Web Server. Konqueror is being ported as well. A minimal Python port is supposedly in the works!
4. This device contains both a CF slot and a memory card slot, so you can use your Targus CF Modem (maybe even your MicroDrive?) and an MMC at the same time. ;)
5. Pocket Quake is already running on it!

1. Yes, it is eminently hackable.. but on Sharp's site, they say that it won't be possible to make it into a microserver. (However, a CF II slot means that you CAN connect a pricey 802.11b card to it... ultra-small, ultra-portable Web surfing and hacking). 2. Unless you've a wallet large enough to deserve a combination lock, it's not gonna be that good an MP3 player at first. Granted, they're working on Microdrive support, but the RAM is only 32 MB and the only other media slot is SD (or SmartMedia..? I've never messed with SD before.). 3. If you register with their site, you can pre-order a Developer's Version for $400. Delivery by end of month. (ps: Those site refs are very incomplete; just click the hyperlinks.)

It says on the Sharp developer news page that it uses PersonalJava version 1.2 and from that spec you can see that:

• PJAE 1.2 uses JDK 1.1.8 as its base.
• PJAE 1.2 adds security as specified in Java 2 SDK, Standard Edition, v 1.2.2 (referred to as "JDKTM 1.2.2" in this specification). Therefore, this specification contains some APIs based on JDK 1.2.2 APIs. These are identified in the appropriate sections.

I found this stuff while trying to figure out if you were right:

• Sun J2ME FAQ
• The Personal Java FAQ from Sun.
• The Sun/Sharp press release about the product and
• Insignia.

Even still, it uses Java 1.18 for most of it's functionality, but this isn't totally useless! I was doing some decent development a few years ago using that spec...

-Russ

Check your dept.

From the article:

"Sharp's efforts to put a Linux handheld on the market has been known for quite a while, and now they're readying actual devices - but they're only for developers yet."

You can register to become a developer on their website, but it's still a PitA.

And there was no mention of how much these things will cost. Anyone know?

Knunov

On http://developer.sharpsec.com/ one of the listed features is "Headset Port", and the subtext is "Stereo headset port for listening to MP3 audio files or MPEG4 movies". Anyone know what that means in this case?

Try this link. It is the developers website.

Not much there yet, but I imagine it will heat up after people get their hands on this device.