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First Looks at Linux DA PDA

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the all-this-for-under-a-hundred-clams dept.

e1en0r writes "My Linux DA PDA finally arrived yesterday. It's a great PDA for under $100. I put up a review of it here. It's very similar to the Palm OS, with a few more interesting features. The most notable being the file manager. You can see where everything is and view all the files in text and hexadecimal mode. It also appears that you can overclock the 16 MHz DragonBall CPU up to 25 MHz. There are some screenshots on their site, which include the CPU Speed application. Unfortunately that application is lacking in documentation." The review is a little thin, but its still cool seeing these in the wild.

6 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. Someone had to do it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Palm IIIxe Hardware Compatible
    2 MB Flash Upgradeable
    8 MB RAM
    Motorola Dragonball CPU
    Battery Operated
    Color Available - GALAXY GREY
    15 Days Technical Support by Email
    6 Month Linux DA O/S Software Upgrade
    One Year Warranty
    DataSync Program Only Available in MS Windows Platform
    Includes: Carrying Case, 2 AAA Batteries, PC Sync Cable, CD with PC Sync Program, Quick-Start Manual, Handwriting Guide, Warranty Card, Registration Card

  2. Re:I don't get it. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative
    You're right, you don't get it. The GPL just says you're entitled to the source code of products you already have a binary for. If they don't give you a new binary after 6 months, tough cookies.

    Now the GPL also says that they can't keep anyone else from giving you the binary. But my guess is just the kernel is GPLed (since they have no way around this) but the actual PIM applets are proprietary, so nobody could give you anything besides an updated kernel, which probably wouldn't do you much good.

  3. Powerplay 3 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Actually acording to an email I just got back from them.. they are actually porting the sync program over to linux. I got now timetable on this but atleast a linux verion is on its way. They also gave me two options when I expressed my disatisfaction with a windows only sync program. They said that I could either wait for the linux version or return it for a full refund. :)

  4. other linux PDAs by glwtta · · Score: 2, Informative

    Haven't tried this thing yet, but do remember getting my paws on an Agenda a while back - it was pretty neat, especially watching it boot up - made you feel right at home. Ate batteries like it was it's job though (which I guess it kinda was)

    Anyway, I don't use PDAs since I took my Visor sailing with me - doh! (WON the sucker from Handspring too, easy come, easy go I guess)

    --
    sic transit gloria mundi
  5. For a few bucks more, consider a mono iPaq... by Fourier · · Score: 3, Informative

    I've had my eye on the iPaq H3135. 200MHz StrongARM, 16MB RAM + 16MB ROM. Those specs put the VR3 to shame, and handhelds.org should have all the info on flashing the OS to Linux. Amazon.com is offering them for $150 after rebate.

    Note: the status of Linux on the mono iPaq seems to be a little behind the color version, so be sure to check the relevant info on the development site before jumping on the idea.

  6. Re:but we already have handsprings by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    A friend of mine is an engineer with them. I asked him why use Linux vs. NetBSD (which has a more proprietary-friendly license), QNX, etc.

    Apparrently, it was a management decision from the top, and most people agree it was only used so it could get "Linux" buzz. Maybe they'll be as successful as VA Linux...