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."

Comments

Ooh.

[Ravagin]

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....

Looks Great!

[Judg3]

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!

Any standard in the linux pda field?

[lekter1]

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"?

This is the machine I have been waiting for.

[Anton Anatopopov]

I have held off buying a PDA because I wanted to make sure I could run Linux on it with the manufacturer's blessing (rather than their tolerance, indifference or outright hostility).

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 !! :-)

Make it slick and easy and cool...

[motherhead]

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?

Cost.

[ludey]

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?

Notice Opera?

[nervlord1]

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*