Retail Sharp Zaurus Released

Arminius writes "It looks like Sharp has finally released the Linux based Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 for retail sale. This thing is so awesome! Other than only being able to listen to mp3's thru my headphones only, this thing blows away my iPaq 3835! It even has Opera as the web browser. "

Comments

Sharpening Opera

[StuffYourReligion]

Well, at least Sharp's web devs aren't too thorough in their browser bigotry, er... detection; Opera spoofing as IE works just fine (but identify as Mozilla 3.0, 4.76 or 5.0 and you're out of luck).

I love mine!

[Anonymous Coward]

I picked up one of these at Fry's a couple days ago and am very impressed with it so far. The form factor is very nice, and the Linux OS powering the PDA is very peppy (running on a 206 Mhz StrongARM, a very fast chip compared to the competition).

What I love most about this PDA though is its openness. Need to get a file onto the PDA? Use NFS, scp, ftp, http, etc.. Want to develop an application for the PDA? Use Java, Qt, or C, all with open API's and no NDA nonsense.

Some good places for more information:
Zaurus Zone has some nice (but often too busy) forums. And of course the Sourceforge project for Zaurus.

In short, I love this PDA. I will try to answer any questions people may have here about it.

Other links

[phr1]

I got the developer version of this machine for $199 at Java One last week. Specs and info are at developer.sharpsec.com.

The thing is nice, though not the hacker's dream that I hoped for. For example, the apps are rough around the edges and source code for them doesn't seem to be available.

My biggest gripe about the hardware is the stylus is too small. I'm using an iPaq stylus with it which is a lot better.

Also, it's not clear whether there's audio input. There's a voice recorder program that says plug in a mono mic with 3.5mm plug, but there's only one jack that size and it's intended for stereo headphones. I've never heard of multiplexing a jack between headphones and a mic. I'll try it with a mic but I think the software and docs were written for some different piece of hardware.

Re:Other links

[treke]

The source for many of the applications (or at least the code they were based off of) is available from the QPE website. http://qpe.sourceforge.net

There are two related project to improve the applications and replace closed source applications with open source equivalants: OPIE and Open Zaurus.

For the time being OPIE will only run on Ipaqs, but OpenZaurus will be using it as the environment in the future

Re:Other links

[sl956]

For example, the apps are rough around the edges and source code for them doesn't seem to be available.

OpenZaurus is a community version of the root filesystem / romimage for the Sharp Zaurus SL-5000d PDA (the developper version you could buy at LinuxWorld or JavaOne prior to the official launch of the Zaurus). The current release is beta 2.6 and it is fairly useable. A SL-5500 version will probably be released soon (there are very few hardware differences).
On a side note, you should have a look on the Zaurus-general mailing list archive for all your questions about this fabulous PDA.

Disclaimer : I'm probably biased as I bought one at LinuxWorld, and I'm in loooove with it. ;-)

If you're using Opera ...

[e1en0r]

If you're using Opera, set it to identify itself as MSIE 5 and the Sharp site should work for you. It did for me.

Re:Bad

[TeamFXML]

Ummm.. Konqueror is available for the Zaurus here along with many other GPL utilities.

Please do some research before painting with a broad brush.

Available at Fry's Electronics.

[e_n_d_o]

The SL-5500 is on display at Fry's Electronics (I saw it in Fountain Valley, CA).

If you buy one there, don't let them make you suffer the Final Indignity.

Likely Mozilla simply isn't lightweight enough

[Chuck Chunder]

Opera has the embedded market outside winceworld almost entirely to themselves. The browser is turning up in all sorts of phones and other devices.

This isn't because they've got some sort of monopoly, it's because they produce a well engineered, well targetted product.

Their lame Javascript.

[thesolo]

here is the little piece of code on Sharp's that is preventing Moz from entering. Why they would even do this is beyond me.

//BROWSER DETECTION for 3
var threeNum = navigator.appVersion.substring(0,1)
if (parseInt(threeNum) location.pathname = "/browser.html";
}


If you really want to see the Sharp site, turn off Javascript in Moz for Navigator, and you're in.

Hardware specs....

[R3]

...seem to be very similar to those of the standard PocketPC PDAs:

-3.5'' Reflective TFT LCD Screen 65,536-colors
-Front light
-240 x 320 pixel high-resolution color screen
-Built in SD and Compact Flash(TM) Card Expansion Slots
-206 Mhz Inte®l StrongARM® Processor
-64MB of memory
-Rechargeable Replaceable Li-ION Battery
-MPEG-1/MP3 Player
-12 Navigation Keys, Programmable Quick Buttons

Looks almost the same as iPaq 38xx series, plus some interesting extras (replaceable battery, both CF and SD slots).

It will be interesting to see how well it will fare on the market, considering it is a bit cheaper than iPaqs and Jornadas, but still more expensive than Palms....

Complain a little

[JaguarsRevenge]

Here's where to go to to make a "formal" complaint abot Netscape/Mozilla/Opera being blocked.

http://sharpelectronics.com/global/ContactUsImpr ov eSite/1,1889,,00.html

Okay, use Netscape...

[bc90021]

(Yes, I know, they should allow all browsers, but who really thinks here that the Sharp Zaurus team made those web pages? Anyone here ever work in a real company? The web page people are very often *not* the hardware (or even software) development people.)

Okay, now that we're past that, the Zaurus is a kickass little PDA. (I've had the Developer's Version for months now.) Some things to note:

* Runs any Linux app that can be (re)compiled for a StrongArm processor. Currently running are:
Python
Perl
SSH
Telnet
Konqueror
Opera
Seminole Web Server
Jikes
BitchX
NMap
...and others, just to name a few.

* The handwriting recognition isn't that bad. It requires you to train the device for certain characters if you want your own handwriting to work, but that doesn't take much time.

* IBM MicroDrives work with no problem. I have a 340MB version, and several other Zaurus owners have reported the 1GB version working. (Though they drain the battery quickly.)

* The keyboard is really easy (and actually kinda fun) to use!

* The synching for Windows should be up to snuff by now. Someone has already patched the 2.4.x kernels to allow USB networking over Linux in order to connect it to a Linux box, so it is now Linux friendly. :)

* The "Word Game" that comes with it (like Scrabble) has been very addicting!

* It is easily 80% of the size of a typical WinCE handheld, and includes two expansion slots (one CF and one SD) by default.

* It has Java, so you can write Java apps for it.

* The UI has been greatly improved, and the Zaurus people have taken very seriously feedback from the developers who have had the Developer's model.

Overall, once you get past the web browser thing, you'll find that with the possible exception of the price (which, incidentally, is similar to other high-end PDAs), it's a kickass little device.

Bugzilla

[petard]

Bugzilla says:

"Sorry, links to Bugzilla from Slashdot are disabled."

Re:Supports only Windoze Media files?!!?!

[GrouchoMarx]

WMA? No, the Zaurus plays mp3, wav, and mpeg-4/DivX video files. No, it doesn't do Ogg yet, but I understand someone is working on it.

As for a review, I wrote a long review of the SL-5000d (the developer edition of the SL-5500) back in January. Linkage below.

http://www.infosync.no/show.php?id=1292

Galeon: How to view Sharp web site using Galeon

[rkswamy]

I found this in the Galeon FAQ, I set mine to "Netscape/4.0" and it works but only if I turn on Javascript. The ridiculous thing is that Netscape 4.78 which is *allowed* to see the page does not actually render it correctly while it looks perfect in Galeon!

--------

How can I change the User Agent string that galeon uses?

This feature is already implemented. It is not in the UI because there was a mozilla bug that made galeon to crash at startup with some strings.

You can set the user agent from the command line using GConf:

1. To get the current user agent:

gconftool -g /apps/galeon/Advanced/Network/user_agent

2. To set the user agent to XXX:

gconftool -s /apps/galeon/Advanced/Network/user_agent --type=string "XXX"

3. To restore the default user agent:

gconftool -s /apps/galeon/Advanced/Network/user_agent --type=string default

My Z (Zaurus)

[Anonymous Coward]

The Z has two expansion ports, a CF port and SD port. It has an IR port
that can connect to my Nokia cell phone and treat it like a modem.

Originally Compact Flash was only for memory cards, now there are cameras,
ethernet, modems, wireless modems, wireless ethernet, 1GB hard drives (5GB
coming soon).

The Secure Digital port currently only has memory cards, but all the other
goodies are coming within the year.

I got a 128MB SD card and a 802.11b CF card.

Z vs iPAQ

[Anonymous Coward]

Z = $499
iPAQ = $499, $600, $650

Z = Linux kernel 2.4.6 plus Qtopia GUI
iPAQ = Microsoft Pocket PC 2002

Z = 16 bit color - 65536 colors
iPAQ = 12 bit color - 4096 colors ($499 model)

Z = 64MB ram, 206Mhz StrongArm
iPAQ = 64MB ram, 206Mhz StrongArm

Z = SD and CF
iPAQ = SD only
- Requires expansion pack for CF ($40)
- Need to use "sleave" with CF cards
- Other expansion packs are > $100

Z = Trainable handwriting recognition (Use Palm gestures if you want)
iPAQ = Not trainable

Z = Linux based, with SWEET gui (QTopia)
- Many applications already available
- Very active user community, mailing lists, wikki
- bash
iPAQ = MS Pocket PC
- You can install Linux, procedure is hard
- Your purchase still counts as MS sale ups market share

Z = Very cool and useable built-in keyboard
iPAQ = 3rd party external keyboard $100

Z = No built-in speaker, must use headphone and/or mic
iPAQ = built-in crappy speaker

Z = Builtin integrated Java
iPAQ = No Java

Z = Desktop software for Windows, Mac, Linux
iPAQ = Desktop software for Windows

Z = Included browser is Opera, Konqueror available
iPAQ = Pocket IE

Re:Z vs iPAQ

[RevAaron]

...Or you could buy an iPAQ 3150... 206 MHz CPU, 16 MB RAM, 320@240 B&W scren and a CF sleeve including a 128 MB card for $200. Perfect for someone who doesn't want to waste a $500+ on a Zaurus or a higher-end iPAQ.

And you can still install Linux, and run OpenZaurus on it, if you want to settle for a substandard Linux distro on a PDA.


Z = Trainable handwriting recognition (Use Palm gestures if you want)
iPAQ = Not trainable


Not quite. The Zaurus has trainable HWR, yes. But the iPAQ has many recognizers available, some trainable. Including Transcriber and CalliGrapher, which are real handwriting recognition, not just the crappy *character* recognition that comes with the Zaurus. Until Palm OS or Linux/PDA gets real HWR like the Newton, or CalliGrapher, there's no way I could rationalize spending $500 on what amounts to be just a toy.

Re:Z vs iPAQ

[Toxxy]

In your scattershot approach to explaining why the iPAQ (one of many Microsoft Pocket PC organizers) is inferior to the Zaurus, you've managed to glaze over many details.

The baseline iPAQ unit is $399, not $499. More robust models are available for people who want extra. The prices are $499 and $599 for the 3765 and 3835 respectively. If you want to purchase a Zaurus unit, you're stuck at the $499 pricepoint and cannot get any more or less advanced units, no matter what.

The Zaurus's display has 16-bit color and iPAQ's unit at the same price has 12-bit color. I defy anyone to show me a difference between the screens that I can clearly and distinctly notice.

You listed the iPAQ as having 64 MBs of memory. You neglected to mention that it also has a 32 MB flash rom.

When you said the iPAQ has SD memory expansion, you were thinking of a different model than the rest. The iPAQ's $499 model (the unit you chose to use for all the other comparisons) has no expansion built in. The extra sleeves available for it enable you to use CompactFlash cards as well as PCMCIA (laptop) cards. There is also an expansion sleeve available for holding two PCMCIA cards. With the Zaurus, you are locked into CompactFlash and the comparitively useless SD card. Sure, it's a little bit extra, but I'll stick with my PC card expandibility.

I cannot fathom how you came up with the idea that the iPAQ has weak input options. For input options, you can write in your regular handwriting, full sentences at a time. Through a single tap you can access an absurdly powerful handwriting configurator, which allows you to set up how you write each letter. Just for the letter A alone, it supports three different ways to write it in uppercase as well as five different ways to write it in lowercase. This is available for all letters and numbers and all the types of punctuation you see on your qwerty keyboard. If you're not comfortable with that, you can use graffiti strokes to enter your text (supporting ALL popular Palm strokes), or -- if you're so inclined -- an onscreen qwerty keyboard. Microsoft put a lot of effort into their text input options, and I am amazed that all you could say about it was "Not trainable."

"SWEET gui"? I'm supposed to be excited about it because it's... "SWEET"? Is it also TUBULAR? The fact that "many applications" are available is true for both units, if not moreso for the Pocket PC, considering it's been around for about 3 years and is currently available on seven devices that I can immediately think of. I see you also mentioned that it comes with Microsoft Pocket PC and that it is difficult to install Linux on it. I would dare say that Pocket PC handhelds are a lot more accepting of Linux than this Linux handheld is of Pocket PC. Now who's strictly controlling what software is run on their hardware?

Zaurus's built-in keyboard is nothing amazing. I would strain myself to describe it as being "very cool." There is a full-sized keyboard available for the iPAQ for $100. There are others, too. I have not seen any such accessories for the Zaurus. I personally cannot bear to use a keyboard that is anything less than full-sized, and for hardcore data entry and command line usage, I find it ironic that a product running on Linux cannot accomodate me.

You are also correct in mentioning that the Zaurus does not come with a microphone or speaker, and the iPAQ comes equipped with both. And in what universe is having Opera built in as the main browser a selling point?

You are comparing apples to oranges. The iPAQ is just one of many Pocket PC solutions available. If you're really looking for some stiff competition, take a look at Audiovox's Maestro, which blows the doors off anything near it its price point. Or maybe even the HP Journada 568.

We now return to your regularly scheduled group Linux masturbation.

Interesting machine

[stevarooski]

A friend of mine got the developer version of this PDA and was showing it around. My impressions based on this brief preview were as follows:

The good:

• Excellent screen. Sharp and great response.
  
• Good suite of apps. I didn't get to test the MPEG and MP3 players, but I liked what I saw otherwise.
  
• Good 'heft'. . .the unit felt solid in my hand, and appeared well made.
  
• Its ZIPPY! The OS has been well tuned for this device, and there's more than enough power under the hood.
  

The bad:

• I really, REALLY don't like the slide-out keyboard!! I can understand why it's included, but the buttons are tiny and it seems useless for anything except painstaking data entry where accuracy is absolutely essential. If I was going to type on a pda, I'd get a portable fold-out keyboard like they have for the palms.
  
• As was mentioned previously, the stylus IS a bit small for those with larger hands. Reminds me of using a pencil thats been sharpened too much.
  

Overall, the appeal of this device for me is the OS, not the hardware. Its a nice unit and should really help the 'linux is ready for mainstream use' cause, but the ability to ssh into a server from my pda sounds great. I don't know if I will buy one, but were I shopping for a PDA I would consider this unit carefully.

Re:Doh

[Anonymous Coward]

This should work with Mozilla http://www.sharpplace.com/product.asp?sku=1904166

Re:I got mine two days ago

[Samus]

I've had mine for a little over a week now. You can get the bash shell by copying the .ipk files on the install cd. I think the directory is applications. There is a file manager and also some program to run their digital camera CF-plugin. Also tell your friends with the developer version to pick up a couple cf cards or I guess SD would work and search around on http://zauruszone.com's forums for RAM upgrade. It isn't really an upgrade but moves a lot of the stuff in the ROM to a CF card and gives you almost as much RAM as the consumer version.