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Motorola To Release Linux and Java-based Phone/PDA
clapton_fan writes "Motorola will release a combination phone / PDA this year in Asia using the Linux operating system and Java software. No U.S. release date set." It also packs a camera, Bluetooth, and a media player. Looks pretty sharp too. Update: 02/15 15:25 GMT by CN : Whoops. We mentioned this a couple days ago, but this time around there's pictures!
everyone, "dupe"
Linux wins again. Thank you, Motorola.
I'd say it looks pretty Motorola, not Sharp.
it's in my head
...are y'all happy with the Sharp Zaurus 5500?
Edmund White
http://flickr.com/ewwhite
It's just a CELLPHONE! Why do these companies load up these things with so much crap? Who CARES! I've been through 100's of cellphones, you get sick of them, you change service, they break, etc... Why Bother? You want all that crap, buy a PDA. Instead of buying a 400$ cellphone.
Is it just me, or is it that the best thing about uber-powerful phone appliances is that they can now run my perl spam-filter scripts on my email account during the busy cyberwarrior workday so that when I get home I have less spam in my inbox?
http://pcblues.com - Digits and Wood
Hangups...did he get disconnected a lot on calls?
But seriously...How can he say the US is unfriendly to Linux?
Maybe he hasn't heard of IBM?
and if he wants better software support, maybe he should learn to code
Rumor has it that Motorola will be releasing some "regular" phones that are based on Linux as well...
i read this 3 days ago on the frontpage of a non-tech and non-english media.
Now I know its not cool on Slashdot to mentioned products based on Symbian rather than uber-trendy linux. But how is this impressive when both Nokia and Sony Ericsson have launched products, and will continue to launch products that are PDAs/Phones/Cameras etc etc and include bluetooth, IR etc etc.
Okay, I know that Motorola are a US company and there for its much more impressive when they are only 12 months behind the crowd, but having something like this in Asia NOW is about 18+ months behind. The reason Motorola use Linux here is because they don't want to use Symbian, why I have no idea. And before someone says "cost" please get a clue about corporations and the actual cost of OSes.
Why not support a solid, reliable, proven OS that is making it nearly impossible for MS to get inroads rather than raving about yet another "linux on a X" product.
An Eye for an Eye will make the whole world blind - Gandhi
For my internship I have been developing software for mobile phones such as this one, using the Java 2 MicroEdition.
:-) But for decent fast working software, please, please use C++ on these things.
Most applications were games, because that is what the market appears to be interested in. (The youth who wants to look cool with the latest Nokia).
Unfortunately, this shrinked-down version of Java is as slow as it's big brother, and not great for gaming. The alternative is SymbianOS programming, which is done in C++ and thus much, much faster.
The bad thing about this is that Symbian is not implemented on many phones.
I don't want Java to be removed from phones, because with Java my mother can still write working code
But now I see that Linux is used, you can expect a C/C++ subsystem which can possible be used.
The more telephony/hardware companies we see releasing Linux hardware (with a portable programming language running on top of it) then the greater the market share Linux will get.
Note to M1-ers: a curt but otherwise insightful message is not "Flamebait" or "Troll".
CChheecckk yyoouurr dduupplleexx sseettttiinngg!!
CChheerrss,,
bb&&
All but God can prove this sentence true.
Well, it *is* an exciting story! In that case, here's a recently updated including recently released photos of the device from linuxdevices.com . . .
Motorola, currently the world's #2 maker of mobile phones ("handsets") with an estimated worldwide market share of 19%, today unveiled a major shift in its embedded software strategy. For future handset designs, Motorola is going with a combination of an embedded Linux operating system and Java-based middleware, along with full multimedia functionality.
The A760 handset (pictured at left and below), Motorola's initial Linux/Java handset offering, combines the functions of a mobile phone, PDA, digital camera, video player, MP3 player, speakerphone, messaging, Internet access, and Bluetooth wireless technology. Motorola says they will initially launch the A760 in Asia in 2003. Its embedded Linux OS was supplied by MontaVista Software.
To provide added perspective, LinuxDevices.com brings you this Special Report which includes the text of the Motorola announcement, and also provides a roundup of some of the many international news stories surrounding this important development . . .
While the phones may run linux/java ... I would not expect the phone companies to let you create your own apps and upload them to the phone.
A more than a few years back, JavaOne (has it been that long?) it seamed every session was in a lather about the micro edition or kvm running on cell phones and their ilk. Session after session and after hours at the bar, the general consensus was 'we love the platform, but we want to control the entire revenue stream'. Expect some serious license / formal development kits if you want to code for these things. I don't think they have hobbyist in mind. If I end up being wrong, I'll be racing to the store - but uploading apps to phones (not pda's) still seems pretty limited.
+++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
Motorola has announced the A760, a flip form factor that looks like a hip Treo 300. It's packed with features like: digital camera, video player, MP3 player, speakerphone, advanced messaging, instant Internet access and Bluetooth(TM) wireless technology.
picture
"This handset is special because it features one of the most open and flexible software platforms that exists," said Rob Shaddock, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the GSM/TDMA Product Line in Motorola's Personal Communications Sector. "By supporting the open source Linux OS and Java technology, Motorola is creating the most open and flexible environment possible to help drive the development of compelling applications for rich, customized mobile experiences."
another picture
I'm pretty excited about this unit. It's stacked with options and has the marketing power and connections of Moto to help it reach mass distribution. My main concern, same with the P800, is the unpopular OS - in US terms. I hope software support for Linux and Symbian accelerates so we can get past these hangups. These alternative OS's are not only viewed as better by many, they tend to be less resource intense and are cheaper than the Microsoft and Palm options.
I know.. I'm whoring for karma
Everything in the world is controlled by a small, evil group to which, unfortunately, no one you know belongs.
am I going to have to start asking Google to put Slashcode on their news site? Why should I ever bother to read this when it is WAY old news compared to Google News? I saw this yesterday afternoon and though to myself, "wow, I wonder how long this will take to get posted twice on /." ;-)
The garbage collector is running.
Now that we have that out of the way: Java ME/MIDP is very cool because it makes it so very easy to write code for portable devices.
A month ago, I did a little work for a company using MIDP (and my last J2EE book had a MIDP example) - so I am biased.
I think that the point is that MIDP opens up the verticle market for custom applications with MIDP devices talking to web services.
Last month, I used XML over HTTP and Apache Jakarta Tomcat on the server side - really a great combination.
-Mark
*watches server go down in slashdotting induced flames*
There were pictures.
>:)
You have to follow the incorrect grammar in the story heading ("there's pictures"). So accordingly, it would be
There was pictures.
there's pictures
is the same as
there is pictures
since pictures is plural and he is talking about the current story, it should be.
there are pictures
or the contraction
there're pictures
-- john
now every company is _planning_ on releasing a smartphone - kyocera / sony-ericsson / motorola.
Sony p800 was supposed to be out last year. I am still waiting for it. I am NOT willing to pay the insane Ebay prieces ($800) for it.
I have a Kyocera 6035 and like it. Even though, it is kind of showing its size - now the novelity is worn off. I have been waiting for a 'next gen' smart phone, and don't find any viable competition.
so yes, cool ideas. But when they release the product for $300 bucks & not tied to a provider (sprint / verizon) then we'll talk.
We mentioned this a couple days ago, but this time around there's pictures!
"There's" is a contraction for "there is". But, because the word "pictures" is plural, you'll want "there are". Bite the bullet and just spell it out. Also, "couple" isn't a true adjective. You need the "of" in "couple of days". So, the corrected version is:
We mentioned this a couple of days ago, but this time around there are pictures!
If you're wondering, I'm an EE with an English Minor who has written a few parsers, and lack of standards compliance pisses me off!
I want Apple to make a phone/PDA!!!!!
This story is listed at google news right now -- -don't know how long it wil be there but it is in the top headlines.
...this is what I'm going to treat myself to.
The meme police, They live inside of my head
So lets compare....
Symbian, aim is to enable the partners (major phone manufacturers) to gain the sort of dominance on Phones and SmartPhones that MS have on the desktop.
Linux, free, very little support in the mobile market.
Its 1980 and you've been asked to join the board of Microsoft or the board of Commodore, who do you choose ?
An Eye for an Eye will make the whole world blind - Gandhi
where are the pictures of this new phone/pda?
Wasn't Symbian made by Nokia, Ericcsson, etc.? They're rival companies, so I assume Motorola would stay away from that platform.
.smell my feet.
This looks like a slick phone and given that it runs linux and java, I'm sure I'd like one to play around with it. However, based on my cell phone usage, I'm not sure if I'd like it. Most of my calls are still made/received in the car. Even with a hands free speaker in my ear, I still grab the phone and push buttons with one hand. I don't have to look because I've gotten used to the phone and the bumps on the case that help the user identify the buttons. Maybe the voice activation software has improved in the last few years, but I'm sure I wouldn't like pushing virtual buttons on a screen.
the good ground has been paved over by suicidal maniacs
I actually LIKE the idea of a PDA phone. I was quite impressed with my Handspring's communitcator line of phone/pda. I was tempted to buy a Treo 180 a couple months back (had a pretty good deal. I needed a new service and they were offering a 150 rebate). Thing is, it's not available on the Handspring site anymore. It was just the right PDA for me. Nice, simple interface, small enough to really use it as a phone, and CHEAP (99 US dollars at the time). Why it isn't even on back order is beyond me. I can't stand the fact that every phone/pda/ir remote/rocket launcher phone comes with a camera and an mp3 player. The mp3 i could justify for voice memos, but the goofballs market it like a portable jukebox! Camera? Do I want to pay to transfer a 100k photo on a 10 MB data plan? A lot of what you get is fluff. But the Treo 180 was just enough to keep me going. Oh, well.
http://cincyboys.blogspot.com/ Everything Cincinnati. Including the word 'Finnih'
Hey, at 10:16PM PST on Saturday night, this page was cited as a top story on Google News' Sci/Tec section!!
Congradulations clapton_fan, your words are all over the front of Google News!
My main concern, same with the P800, is the unpopular OS
Hmm yes is less visible than windows but in the
scools and geekhouses i think is popular
developer http://flamerobin.org
Does this mean that there is going to be a FREE API and interface to upload apps to your phone?
I'm betting NOT.
-A.C.
Motorola, however, still holds shares in Symbian, as now do Siemens, Panasonic, SonyEricsson and Samsung - this latter one having invested £17 million for a 5% stake.
At least any OS = better than cackrosoft...
---------
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I've asked for it to be replaced, but nobody ever listens. I think it would
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