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Sharp Readies SL-5000D
Anders writes "infoSync has a story and pictures of Sharps new Linux-device SL-5000D, which runs on Embedix Linux 2.4 with Jeode's PersonalJava, using Qt/Embedded and the Qt Palmtop Environment, and will be capable of running applications coded either in Linux or in Java."
I'm no expert in Java or anything, but can a similar spec device to the Compaq iPaq expect to run faster using Java than Windows CE?
Has anyone got any such benchmarks?
From my experience with Java (or perhaps, _bad_ java coders), it's slower than native Windows coding.
"Never let the truth get in the way of a good story..."
Well, the screen is those photos is clearly the usual photoshopped image, but the device still looks extremely sexy. Keyboard, CF slot... mm.
Mind you, my Palm is still all I need (IIIxe forever! whoo! etc!), but I can respect the extreme coolness of this device. Looks vaguely like one of the tricorders on Enterprise....
Karma: T-rexcellent.
I especially love it's "Thumb Board" keyboard. You don't see it unless you need it, real nice. More PDA maker's should think of this idea. I may get one simply because it would be a lot more useful then my IPAQ. Having an actual keyboard to type on is nice, even if its not full size you can still type on it faster then a virtual keyboard. Good job Sharp!
Looking for hardware (Currently need: Large Etch-a-Sketch) Have one? See my journal!
I'm a happy Palm user, but I'd like to switch to a Linux-based PDA once a standard emerges. Now there are too many platforms (QT-embedded, plain X, the one from AgendaVR3, the one from Yopy, ...).
For me it seems risky to buy one nowadays. I'm going to wait 6-8 months more.
What do you think about the standards? Which one do you think is going to be the "winner"?
greetings,
lekter
http://www.hispacluster.org
Microsoft will be watching the success of this one like a hawk, since their ill-fated WinCE experiment proved windows lack of scalability in the embedded market.
This could be the first of a lon long line of Linux powered handhelds. Roll on world domination !! :-)
You may get this PDA just because of the Thumb Board? That's interesting.
I use a Sharp Wizard at the moment, and that has a near full-size keyboard. I'd say I can manage 30wpm on it (it's slightly smaller, and the keys don't have a particularly good feel to them) vs say 60-70 on a regular keyboard.
The Thumb Board would probably get 10wpm if you're lucky. I agree that it's a great thing to have, e.g. asking people to key in their phone numbers / email addresses.
Otherwise, I personally would like faster throughput. I would assume that handwriting recognition would be the primary input mechanism for PDAs like these. What do you think's wrong with that? (This isn't a rhetorical question. You've actually made me curious.)
I believe the Thumb Board isn't in any way designed to be a complete input device, as it were. For starters I would:
- make the delete key at least as big as the space
- add arrow keys
Like you, I really like the concept of the thumb board. It's just raised some questions about what's so wrong with the PDAs that don't have them.
--It's not rocket science, just computer science.
and watch as people start talking about Linux that would never have before.
Use that Microsoft tactic of sneaking the OS into peoples homes and hearts. Lets face it, most people still think Linux is an Ugly, cobbled together OS that is difficult to install and use. (if they really know what it is at all). I think it would be fun when they start seeing Handheld applications that are as stable as any Palm app but far more powerful and able.
Microsoft has made no new freinds with XP. Even sheep know when they are being lined up for slaughter and the backlash against it's "directed marketing" is starting to get mainstream press.
this would be a perfect time to show off slick Linux apps to the masses. make them love the little bastard and watch that spread the gospel to the desktops (perhaps). At least introduce modern Linux to them.
I, like a lot of us will probably just get an iPac and plop Linux on that. But your your dad spend $500 on a shiney new gadget and hack the OS? would his friends?
I couldn't imagine it costing less than $500. That's probably going to be the main problem as a Palm competitor. This is a gorgeous piece, and I plan to get one myself, but how many people are willing to shell this kind of money out to say they're running linux on their PDA?
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David O.
Maybe its just me, but the number of Linux based handhelds seems to be pushing towarsd linux, i think it has something to do with the cost ;)
but whats the cost of something like QT embedded?
expensive stuff for your handheld? or really cheap?
BTW did anyone else pick up opera in the screenshot?
if theyve got opera, its save to assume this thing can browse the web.
*patiently waiting to sell his karma to purcahse one :P*
Microsoft IIS is to webserving as KFC is to healthy eating
With the extra space saved on the ROM in the device, you could either add some more applications in for greater functionality or possibly just decrease the overall price of the unit given that you wouldn't need so much memory to store the OS. Or both.
3Com used QNX in the Ergo Audrey (I still wish I'd managed to get one of those in time), and not only did it work well technically, but it also created a very hackable device.
Just some thoughts.
There is no escape from The Muffin.
The Japanese version has everything and the kitchen sink. Let's hope they have at least half the functionality in the US Linux version.
Check out the main page (Japanese)
Here's a page with the wireless modem and camera
And mpeg4 video playback (with add-on encoder is very cool too)!