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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. "
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.
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.
Ummm.. Konqueror is available for the Zaurus here along with many other GPL utilities.
Please do some research before painting with a broad brush.
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.
(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.
libertarianswag.com
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