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Linux PDA Part Deux
PolarCow writes: "Everyone's favorite Linux powered PDA retailer is back. Empower Technologies/LinuxDA are releasing a new variant of Linux-powered PDA. The new one is called the PowerPlay V. Its hardware is comparable to that of the Palm Vx. Thin, rechargable and with an enhanced display. I'm salivating already."
I think PDAs are a great idea, and that everyone should have one. But PDAs have a number of flaws.
1) If everyone is meant to have one, surely it should act as some sort of communications device too? Manufacturers are starting to pick up on this with phone/PDA devices such as the Nokia Communicator or Cybiko, but more effort should be put into this area of the market rather than just the OS.
2) Bring prices down! I really can't understand the prices of PDAs, and that's why I don't have one. For a tiny thing with a color screen and 16MB of RAM they expect me to pay $300? Nuts.
Perhaps Linux will help slash the prices, but do the OS and applications really suck up most of the $300? I doubt it. In fact, I'd imagine most of the costs of the typical PDA are thanks to giant R&D budgets and weird non standard components. Not to mention those expensive screens..
Using Linux in an embedded setting is a start. But until we have a reasonably well functioned PDA for under $99, the majority of the population will not own one. And nor will I.
mogorific carpentry experiments
Still doesn't impress me; I'm not going to buy a linux PDA just because it is a linux PDA - until it does more, or at least untill it will sync with my Mac and my Linux box, it has no advantages over Palm OS.
The reason I have a linux box is because it is the best for what I need it for; this same doctorine applies to PDAs; untill Linux PDAs DO SOMETHING better, I can't see them existing as anything other than a niche item