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Sharp Ships New PDA Running Linux 2.4
cbowland writes: "Sharp is now shipping the SL-5000D Zaurus PDA with a Linux 2.4 kernel, embedded PalmTop, Personal Java, and QT. Priced at $399 for developers only. Their plan is to get some apps created before marketing it to the public. Check it out" I wonder if the USB port on the docking station would let these work with the Happy Hacker keyboard ...
Are my autoexec.bat editing skillz enough to buy this thing ?
I ordered one of these a month ago. Here are a few links that you might be interested in:
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Zdnet Commentary:
http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2
Developer's Review on LinuxDevices:
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS5326761307.h
Developer's FAQ:
http://tank.dyndns.org/index.php?op=showfaq&id=
From the developer forums, the general impression is that this is on a tiny budget, but the people that are involved a very dedicated (Hi, Mitchy!). I would post the link to the developer forums but the server would crash. From the forums, the top issues are:
1) Upgrade memory to 64MB (from 32). I am in favor of this, though other developers make the point that Linux should not need as much memory as PocketPC, also this increases the cost. I would add more ROM (up to 32MB), or at least offer a high-end model with more memory.
2) No speaker like PocketPC (just a buzzer). You have to listen to MP3's with headphone jack. I don't think this is important, but others want a IPAQ like speaker. There's also no Sound DSP.
3) Dependence on embedded QT license. There is some concern about paying QT for your applications, but on the Sharp forums Sharp says that they are working with QT for low-cost commercial QT licensing.
4) SD (Secure Digital) support, Bluetooth support.
I think these are both really needed to make this successful.
One other issue is that I would like to the Sharp license the interface from the IPAQ or HandSpring (Springboard), so the Zaurus can leverage the external devices for those devices.
Any opionions from any other developers?
For only $99 at Fry's you can pick up an Agenda (now defunct) that runs linux (2.4 I believe). There is active developing going on, and you can't beat the price!! It'll save ya about $300!
Try these sites for info:
Agenda Software Repository:
http://supermegamulti.com/agenda/
Agenda Unofficial FAQ:
http://www.lardcave.net/agenda/agenda-faq.html
"Developers only" means it's not a finished polished product yet.
:)
I'm in the UK and have had mine for several weeks (though i'm only a hobbyist developer)
Things are not quite there yet on the application and driver support, things like the IrDA stack being incomplete, but in general it works. Support for wireless lan cards is good, support for usb syncing with a linux desktop isnt at the moment
A lot of effort is needed to be put in developing the apps more to integrate better with each other and provide the typical PDA functionality.
Also the developers version only has 32M ram, while the consumer version is romoured to have 64M.
Basicly they will sell one to anyone, you don't have to be from a software company or have a known track record, but it won't be much good to anyone that isn't happy pissing about a bit to make it do what they want.
Checkout http://more.sbc.co.jp/slj/index.asp for the sharp built developers community. Sharp employees are present on the board, and are willing to help out. Full doccumentation is creeping out slowly, and they plan to release source and full build instructions for the kernel they are using.
It's an excelant little toy, and something i'd reccomend to anyone that is used to compiling apps on linux