Zaurus 5600 Announced

numatrix writes "Sharp just announced the release of the SL-5600 Zaurus today, the followup to the SL-5500 linux pda. Features include an xscale 400mhz processor, 96mb total flash, higher capacity battery, 2.4.18 kernel, built in speaker and mic, and all of the best bits of goodness from the 5500. Infosync has an article as well."

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Press release from sharp

[denisbergeron]

Since everything is /.ed here the press release. I thing I click open in a new tab really fast :
Mayby for this kind of news, /. people can make this job before posting the news.

SHARP INTRODUCES THE ZAURUS SL-5600: LATEST ADDITION TO AWARD-WINNING ZAURUS FAMILY

Powerful and expandable Linux-based business PDA with wireless capabilities

MAHWAH, NJ, November 12, 2002 -- Sharp Electronics Corp. today introduced the Zaurus(TM) SL-5600, the latest addition to the award-winning Zaurus PDA family. The Zaurus SL-5600 is a powerful and expandable Linux®-based business PDA and wireless capable solution for enterprise users and professional consumers.

The Zaurus SL-5600 features Sharp's high-resolution color-reflective QVGA LCD screen technology, a cleverly designed integrated QWERTY keyboard with a sliding cover, extra-long battery life with a rechargeable, replaceable 1700 mAh battery standard, a unique new memory architecture offering the corporate user 64MB of protected flash memory, plus 32MB of SDRAM, dual expansion with Compact Flash(TM) and SD / MMC card slots. In addition, it features a powerful Intel® XScale(TM) 400MHz processor and an integrated speaker and microphone offering corporate users an advanced mobile enterprise device for all their business and personal needs.

"The new Zaurus SL-5600 is packed with the perfect feature set for the enterprise market," said Steve Petix, associate vice president of Sharp's Mobile Solutions and IT Group. "The power and flexibility of the Zaurus SL-5600 puts it in a strong position to become the handheld computing device for the Linux and Java(TM) enterprise solutions market."

Peak Performance
Designed for the enterprise user with a heavy workload, the Zaurus SL-5600 offers a 400MHz Intel XScale processor featuring a 32-bit instruction cache and a 32-bit data cache and 100MHz memory interface to meet the ever-increasing demands of enterprise applications. The Linux-based architecture provides reliable multi-tasking performance and the flexibility required for integration into the corporate environment enabling users to create documents while email or Web pages are being downloaded.

Unprecedented Mobility
Offering the most functionality on the market, the Zaurus SL-5600 delivers the perfect set of features for enterprise users on the move. Its integrated 37-key QWERTY keyboard, located behind a sliding cover, is ergonomically arched to allow for quick thumb access and handwriting recognition, and on-screen keyboard options make data entry fast and easy for every type of user. The device also offers 64MB of protected storage memory and a virtual mobile Hard Drive which ensures that data, applications and files are protected in Flash memory and will not be lost even if the battery runs out. Noting the importance of battery life, the Zaurus SL-5600 includes a 1700 mAh high capacity battery, the largest standard rechargeable battery capacity currently on the market. In addition, the lithium-ion battery can be recharged or replaced for continuous use.

Stay Connected
With wireless connectivity a must for any enterprise environment, the Zaurus SL-5600 comes wireless capable* with dual expansion slots and built-in drivers for numerous Compact Flash connectivity solutions including industry-leading 802.11b wireless LAN adaptors, CDPD Wireless modem, 10/100 Ethernet, and 56K V.90 modems and a plan to introduce 1xRTT and GPRS in 2003. The built-in Compact Flash (Type I and Type II) and SD / MMC slots allow users to add any Compact Flash-based connectivity solution in the Compact Flash - slot and still have room to add more memory in the SD slot without necessitating a jacket, eliminating the need to add to the size and the cost of the unit.

Enterprise Extensibility
The Zaurus SL-5600 is based on an open Linux platform, which is ideal for building customized solutions for the enterprise market. This platform increases time-to-market in porting existing applications or developing customized ones with the many freely available Linux Open Source tools and resources. In addition, the Zaurus SL-5600's Linux-based platform boosts a powerful 32-bit multi-tasking operating system creating a robust environment for mobile enterprise applications.

For Java applications, the Zaurus SL-5600 incorporates the industry-leading Insignia Solutions® Jeode(TM) Java virtual machine environment perfect for smart handheld devices. Jeode is a Sun®-authorized Java virtual machine and fully compatible with the PersonalJava(TM) specification, 1.2 class libraries and optional classes. The methodology of the Java programming language makes it simple to migrate Java applications to the Zaurus SL-5600.

The Zaurus SL-5600 comes equipped with an extensive software applications package. This includes re-designed and improved Personal Information Management (PIM) software (with address book, calendar, calculator, text editor, to do list, voice recorder and clock with a built-in stopwatch) and a PC synchronization program for Microsoft® Outlook®. A POP3/IMAP4/SMTP-capable email client, Internet browser (displaying pages in HTML format) and an integrated Media player (MP3 or MPEG1 files) are included in the Zaurus SL-5600. To permit quick and easy data synchronization with PCs and trouble-free connection with peripherals, the device also comes complete with a docking station that features an integrated USB cable and an A/C adaptor.

* Most communications require additional optional modem and service. Wireless service is subject to network availability. Activation and monthly subscription fees may be required, not all web content or e-mail may be available, service plans may be subject to a 1-year contract, and an early cancellation fee may apply.

Click here to find out more about the SL-5600.

For more information, please visit www.myZaurus.com, and for corporate sales call 201-529-9459.

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Zaurus(TM) is a trademark of Sharp Electronics Corporation.

Linux® is a registered trademark owned by Linus Torvalds.

Joede® is a trademark of Insignia Solutions®.

MS® Outlook® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

© 2002 Sharp Electronics Corp.