Preview of Linux Based FreePad

suwalski writes "ZDNet is running a sneak-preview of the upcoming FreePad, as announced on Slashdot awhile ago. The FreePad is a wireless device that can be used as a wireless phone and as a web browser. The technology appears to be finished, and the FreePad looks like a toy that could be in your house pretty soon." Provided you live in scandanavia ;) Its a lengthy article with lots of good stuff: standards in open source, certification, wireless protocols in europe vs the US.

Comments

The Usefulness of the FreePad

[hayfever]

From looking over the posts about the FreePad, I get the same message over and over again. If it's not "free as in beer", we're not interested; it's not powerful enough; etc... Some people need to realize that there IS a word larger than the geek compound. Sure, the open source community would be happier if it used XFree86 and an open-source browser. However, what about this closed source stuff? Most open-source is GPL'd, which they might have trouble with if they need to make substantial modifications to the programs for use on their embedded systems. Remember, they designed their distro from scratch. They have access to the source for Opera and Nano-X, and they said code will be released into the community. Perhaps Opera and Nano-X will be released as Netscape was, from closed to open. And as for the power issue. These systems are not targeting the geeks of the world with their 1ghz servers and Transmeta laptops. They are targeting John Doe's grandmother, who is 78 years old and has never used a computer. They are targeting Jim Corporate who discovers that he can use this instead of lugging projectors and overheads around the office for presentations. They are targeting everyday people, trying to make their lives better. And they are doing it with Linux. What does this mean? This means that, if it catches on, a whole generation of suits will be given a reason to start using open-source software. This means that people may start to realize that open-source /= security problem. This is a chance to get Linux into the hands of the people who WILL make a difference, the consumers. We can try all we want to force Linux on the world, but unless your average consumer starts asking for Linux, it won't make it in a Wintel world. Let's give FreePad a chance, and hope it sets the world on fire.

Grandmothers

[icqqm]

Apparently it was tested thoroughly to make sure it was Grandmother-compatible. Does that mean all those grandmothers are out of work now?

Re:I Question the demand for this..

[Shotgun]

After all this seems to be another technology that no one has asked for like HDTV.

I've asked for this several times. In fact I've begged for it.

Added to this it also seems to provide services that can already be provided by existing tech, as some posts have already pointed out. If I can already get internet on my tv, though a console, why would i need this.

Can that TV console pull up an XTerm and let you recompile the kernel on you're server? How is the text on that TV? No, not the large artistic fonts..the paragraph text. Is it even legible?

This boils down to a cool, quiet, roaming X display terminal. With it I could leave that hot, noisy server in the office, and go to a more comfortable place to compute. My wife will stop complaining that I spend all day in the office. Just think, I could ignore her in person now!!

Like Programmable Remotes

[LaNMaN2000]

Every time I hear about these "cutting-edge" webpads, I remember that they're basically only more sophisticated programmable remotes. Most people would be able to use the Internet more productively on a standard notebook, with a keyboard. These devices seem designed to facilitate home automation and other tasks (perhaps connecting to embedded web servers in consumer electronics) within the home. As such, they are no more functional than a high-end programmable remote (i.e. Pronto). The only difference is that these use Linus and standard Internet protocols for communication. But, functionally, these units are not at all superior to their predecessors and they cost a **** of a lot more.

Re:Like Programmable Remotes

[baywulf]

"The only difference is that these use Linus and standard Internet protocols for communication."

Linus is going to get quite tired from doing all this communicating ;-)

Marketing steps up to the plate (humour)

[DragonMagic]

Yes, friends, McDonald's, that international restaurant of new and original sandwich names and children toys, has announced their license of the FreePad device in service in all of their McDonald's throughout the world. Instead of their usual plastic trays, McDonald's will now use a device based on FreePad.

Said a McDonald's spokesperson, "We saw it and it came to us immediately. We could allow our consumers to see updated news and advertisements while they ate."

What's more, those who Super Size their FreePad-based trays get use of internet browsing and email while they eat. Even some stores have integrated Muzak into speakers found on either side of the handles.

In a related story, Bill Gates has decided to clone himself for the new molecular computer . . .

[sorry, it's hot and it's what the freepad lookslike!]

Dragon Magic

Lots of Non-Free in the FreePad

[mmca]

Too bad it's Opera and Nano-X not Gecko and XFree.
It would be nice if they could give some code back to the community. It seems that we will get some wireless drivers (if not the supporting apps) out of this. All though I don't get DECT DMAP here in the US. Oh well... still nice to see linux making in roads into the consumer market.

Sounds like Debian philosophy of rating packages.

[Anonymous Coward]

It sounds they could do it somewhat like the Debian folks with the stable and unstable set of packages. You can contribute and it can be added to the official set of packages but has to be run through some testing, first.

Screen Media therefore will offer its open source development community a means to certify programs for the FreePad. "It's really not very complicated to combine open source with quality assurance," says Janson. "Once you have passed this qualification test process, your software can become available for use as a downloadable option for the FreePad. Maybe those who do this should receive a license fee, or something," adds Janson. But the precise methods to do this remain to be defined.

Personally, just like I trade raw power and extra features for efficiency in a Palm PDA, I'd go for one of these as a webpad. Number crunching and compiling can get done on my desktop.

Nano-X too?

[dalinian]

Correct me if I'm wrong (I may well be), but isn't Nano-X Free? It seems to be licensed under the MPL, and "Alternatively, the software can be licensed under the GPL, if desired", as their web page says.

Thank God It's Not WAP

[icqqm]

Although they could have chosen better software like XFree and Gecko, it's nice to know they're using an Actual graphical browser and a good operating system. From what I gather of the device it looks good and cool, but my question is what's the point? Why not just get a computer and a phone?

Only 0.5Mbit/sec

[linuxonceleron]

Does anyone have more information on the DECT standard that they mention in the article? I would assume that 802.11 would be a better idea, though cost of the circuitry and power usage are two reasons I could think of which would prevent it's use. 512kbit/sec really isn't that bad, even if you're getting more than that on DSL or cable, odds are that you aren't going to need that kind of bandwith to get on the web, and its probably being shared anyway. Also they mention that it won't be sold directly, but only as part of a subscription service like i-opener. Won't anyone make something cheap that will hook up with the LAN/Internet connection that I already have and pay for...