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YOPY Arrives

Victor Tramp writes "Apparently the fabled Linux based YOPY handheld has been put on the market after all! Not only do they look like cool PDA versions of a Gameboy Advance SP (they fold), they look like they give the Zaurus a real run for the money, featurewise. Though the fastest processor is 206MHz, they include CompactFlash and MMC slots on the 3700 model. Apparently you can download their Linupy distro, too. And finally, they don't seem to be vaporware!"

266 comments

  1. I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 by hanzwurst · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ... and back then, the people at the Sony booth didn't allow me to touch it, because with my 16 years, i didn't look like a valuable customer to them :)
    I also remember downloading some developer libraries and eagerly waiting for the YOPY to come out. But with the time, my interest faded.

    I'm really surprised it finally got released after all.

    1. Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 by bsharitt · · Score: 1

      In the photos, it looks like a really nice PDA, although it does appear a little think, but I guess I can't really judge that aspect until I see one up close.

    2. Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 by moehoward · · Score: 4, Funny

      I wouldn't let a 16 year old play with my Yopy either.

      It's trouble, I tell you. Trouble!

      --
      "If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid." - Epictetus
    3. Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 by MoThugz · · Score: 1

      What has it got to do with Sony? Sony don't make YOPY.

    4. Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Little did they know by the time it came out that 16 year old is now 23 looking for a new toy... /sigh I wish this had came out when they first announced it. It sounded awesome at first, but the zarius just beats it now.

    5. Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I saw it at Cebit 2001 also. But not at sonys place but some Koreans. Or maybe it where 2002

    6. Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 1

      zarius?

      ????????

      Apparently, this comment looks too much like ascii art...

      since when has THAT been a bad thing?

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    7. Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 by hanzwurst · · Score: 1

      Oops, I meant Samsung, of course. Sorry.
      I found this page, which is quite outdated but has some info on how yopy started out.

  2. Uhm.. by RefriedBean · · Score: 5, Informative

    They have been on the market for a *long* time.(Ok, well, in South Korea at least) They have gone through at least 3 or 4 versions by now already. Hardly 'fabled'..

    1. Re:Uhm.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They've been on sale in Hungary for a while too (At least since December when I was there visiting). Why is this news?

    2. Re:Uhm.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Why is this news?

      Because it's available in the US now? Nobody gives a shit if it's available in South Korea or Hungary! 40% of the wealth in the world is in the USA. If we don't have it available, it's irrelevent.

    3. Re:Uhm.. by Foosinho · · Score: 1

      My company here in the US had one of those over two years ago. Pretty cool, but a real battery hog.

    4. Re:Uhm.. by potsmaster · · Score: 1

      amusingly enough, their webpage fails to work with mozilla on linux. douglas adams was right about marketing departments....

      --
      REPORT ALL OBSCENE MESSAGES TO YOUR POTSMASTER
  3. Nice but... by j0nkatz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Even though it would be nice to have Linux in a small for factor like this, i'm not sure Linux would be the best solution for a platform like this. And one thing the device is lacking... A BACKLIGHT!

    I really am enjoying my Palm Tungsten C!!!

    --
    Don't mod me, bro'!!!!
    1. Re:Nice but... by elid · · Score: 1

      There's always a tradeoff between having a backlight and battery life. Although for such an expensive price, you would've expected them to have figured out some solution....

    2. Re:Nice but... by geekoid · · Score: 1

      "you would've expected them to have figured out some solution...."

      like a switch? sheesh.
      It doesn't have to be on all the time, and it gives the consumer an OPTION as to whether or not to use the battery in that manner.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    3. Re:Nice but... by jericho4.0 · · Score: 2, Insightful
      i'm not sure Linux would be the best solution for a platform like this

      For traditional PDA type apps, linux is about in the same place that it is on the desktop, that is, powerful but flawed. But who's buying one of these to orginize their day, anyway? I have a IPaq H3900 running linux + apache + grass(GIS modeling) + a whole bunch of network tools. It fits in a backpack or pocket and weighs nothing. I couldn't imagine another platform that could replace it.

      --
      "A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming, is not worth knowing" - Alan Perlis
    4. Re:Nice but... by Vengeful+weenie · · Score: 2, Informative
      I purchased a Zaurus a couple of years ago, as a dev. kit. I was rather disappointed in the design. The screen was nice and the pointer device worked well, but

      1. The keyboard was lacking a number of important keys. No pipe character among others!
      2. The memory model was crappy, and the solution to running out of memory? Randomly kill apps.

      Hardware support was of course a bit spotty as well. It seems like a generally complex unit for the "basics." I'm not sure about the latest Linux PDA foray, but I'm rather convinced that a small device is a very different creature, and that Palm was right with their "Simplicity first" approach.

    5. Re:Nice but... by Red+Weasel · · Score: 1

      One thing that kills me about paying this much for a PDA. Why the hell can't they go the extra 2 ft to remove that damn thumb keyboard and add one of the 10 - 30 gig hard drives that the Ipods have. For 449 you should be able to.

      I'm really not asking for too much here. Just a PDA with WiFi, a killer display, 200mhz processor and (at least )a 10 gig hard drive. Screw this limited functionality linux. A one gig partition for OS, gaming, and notes and 9 gigs of MP3s would be perfect. Do that for under 500 bucks and they would have themselves a sell.

      Hell I'll carry another Pager sized battery pack on on my belt if that is what it would take to get this thing to work.

      --
      ..which just shows that the human brain is ill-adapted for thinking and was probably designed for cooling the blood-T P
    6. Re:Nice but... by lessthan0 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Another thing it is lacking is a Linux based PIM appliction. Something that the Sharp Zaurus offers (by way of the Qtopia application).

      I run Linux on my desktop and my Linux PDA better damn well sync with it. The Yopy desktop PIM is Windows only. F it.

    7. Re:Nice but... by pantherace · · Score: 2, Informative

      1) keyboard does have a | (fn or shift + space)
      2) the memory model has much improved. I will say I use Openzaurus(.org) for the ROM, but the new sharp rom does a lot of the same things. (of course if linux does run out of RAM+swap, it kills it just as dead)

      Hardware support was spotty, however unless you are getting something wierd, the hardware is generally supported in OpenZaurus (or you can likely find it for the sharp rom)

      5000D or 5500? I didn't get a 5000D, but the original software on it was, well.... BAD. But alot of it got fixed in the original version (not release of the) 5500 rom, and most that didn't get fixed in the 5500 versions up to 2.38/39 got fixed in the v3.1 rom.

    8. Re:Nice but... by gdarklighter · · Score: 1

      It fits in a backpack or pocket and weighs nothing.

      Oooooh...one of those new massless models, huh? Does it have a built in perpetual motion machine, too?

    9. Re:Nice but... by dfeist · · Score: 1

      you could have looked more closely at it...
      that was the old Yopy which is already available for a long time which hat no frontlight. The new ones released now have.

      --
      Unix makes easy tasks hard and hard tasks possible. Windows makes easy tasks easy and hard tasks $29.95.
    10. Re:Nice but... by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 1

      he said "weighs", nothing about mass

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    11. Re:Nice but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's what happens when you put too large a hydrogen power cell in.

    12. Re:Nice but... by Vengeful+weenie · · Score: 1
      That's a good hint. :)

      I got the 5000D, and the lower memory hurts. I'm not sure that that was the main point I was making though. The question is: does the abstraction of a general OS work when the basic assumptions about the environment have changed so radically?

    13. Re:Nice but... by TW+Burger · · Score: 1

      Embedded Linux is a good if not the best solution for non-RTOS OS requirements for portable devices as is evident with the number of devices being produced using Linux.

  4. Sticker shock by Tyler+Eaves · · Score: 3, Informative

    Yikes, the CHEAPEST model is $449, without any accesories. I think I'll give it a miss this once...

    --
    TODO: Something witty here...
    1. Re:Sticker shock by Larsing · · Score: 1

      Yikes, the CHEAPEST model is $449, without any accesories. I think I'll give it a miss this once

      That's just a bit over £260, a price I'd certainly be prepared to pay (compare it to a Palm Tungsten, if you like)...

      --
      Ethics is what you say you do. Morals is what you actually do.
    2. Re:Sticker shock by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unluckily it will be more like £449.

      We'll get screwed as usual...

  5. Re:Fabled? by Uller-RM · · Score: 2, Funny

    I thought it was herring breath... if you fail save vs. breath weapon you take 1d6+6 damage from suffocation :P

  6. Nice, but ---BeOS Icons by chewmanfoo · · Score: 3, Funny

    Come on guys. The carcass isn't even cold yet (well, ok, it is cold, but)...

    1. Re:Nice, but ---BeOS Icons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That was the first thing I noticed. Odd.

    2. Re:Nice, but ---BeOS Icons by SweetAndSourJesus · · Score: 1

      Well, BeOS had some great icons :)

      Look, even OS X users want them.

      --

      --
      the strongest word is still the word "free"
  7. damn! by zod1025 · · Score: 1

    Damn, that looks kick ass! I was in the market for a Zaurus myself, but wow! So many cool products just come flying into the market these days, it's no WONDER my wallet's got this huge hole in it!

    And the fun led indicator? geek toy heaven!

    --

    -ZOD-
    1. Re:damn! by ondasmom · · Score: 2, Funny

      Reaally kewl--an LED to let me know when I'm having fun!

  8. Has anyone used one? by ObviousGuy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The Yopy brings a whole new meaning to 'chiclet keyboard'. Has anyone who's used one comment?

    --
    I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
  9. It sounds good but by teamhasnoi · · Score: 1, Funny

    does it run Windows CE?

    1. Re:It sounds good but by thrillseeker · · Score: 5, Funny
      does it run Windows CE?

      No, it's fully functional.

    2. Re:It sounds good but by Rubbersoul · · Score: 1

      Man-o-Man Sarcasm is lost on some people ...

      --
      man .sig
      No manual entry for .sig.
    3. Re:It sounds good but by JerryKnight · · Score: 1

      Sarcasm or hasty ignorance? One can never tell these days.

      --

      Catapultam habeo. Nisi omnem pecuniam tuam mihi dabis, ad tuum caput saxum immane mittam.
    4. Re:It sounds good but by Archfeld · · Score: 1

      that whistling sound you hear is the CLUExFOUR heading for the back of your skull. Don't worry it is a painful but necessary procedure.

      Hopefully it will shake up and reactivate your humor circuits, because too much time in the dark tech industry has damaged them.

      J/K BTW :)

      --
      errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
    5. Re:It sounds good but by YOU+LIKEWISE+FAIL+IT · · Score: 3, Funny
      This is an inversion of the traditional "But does it run Linux ( or Ogg )?!" question asked of every device article posted here on Slashdot.

      Based on the content, I suspect the original posters IP address might originate lie within the address space allocated to... Soviet Russia! [1]

      YLFI.

      [1] Sorry!

      --
      One god, one market, one truth, one consumer.
    6. Re:It sounds good but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes but does it have a QWERTY keyboard?

  10. Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's market by mao+che+minh · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Wow, it's new design is a radical departure from the original "beta" models, which looked a hell of a lot like a thicker Zaurus. I like it a lot (the design and the layout).

    However, a $449 price tag is rather hard to justify here. I known that it's comparing Apples to Oranges, but, a person can still pick up a used, last generation laptop with vast amounts more computing power for the same price on an auction, or slightly more at a computer show. And yes, I do realize that making these things are not exactly cheap, but $400+ dollars for those specs - from an unproven manufacturer?

    I'll stick with my $195 backlit Clie that I got from Circuit City - after my $35 mail in rebate and the $10 mark down from the holiday sale (which can do everything that this can) for now. I'll pick a Yopy up off Ebay in a few months though.

  11. How is this better than a Zaurus? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    It costs more, it must be better, right?

    1. Re:How is this better than a Zaurus? by pantherace · · Score: 1

      The main differences:
      3700 vs Z (5600) vs 3500 vs Z 5500
      RAM: 128 / 32 / 128 / 64 (default 32 usable)
      Proc: all but 5600 have 206MHz Strongarm (5600=400MHz Xscale*)
      ROM: 32 / 64 / 32 / 16 (by default it is real rom)
      Expand: CF,MMC / CF,SD / MMC / CF,SD
      Price: 500 / 450 / 450 / 200

      *note: Xscale had a big cache bug for a while, which means that either you lose speed or you potentially lose stability. PXA250 has it, PXA255 doesn't, and with the bug (and correction is to turn off most on-cpu cache), a 206MHz StrongARM is often as fast as a 400MHz Xscale, or so I am told.

  12. Koreanglish by florin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Very helpful that all their URLs point out that the site is in fact supposed to be in english, considering choice tidbits such as these:

    Making background freely - You can do it using the Wallpaper program or the Painter easily for yourself.
    Screen Protection from scratch or break.
    In France and Austria and UK, you can not get the order. Please contact to the site.

    Come on guys you really oughta start by cleaning up the way you present your product if your ambitions include ever being more than just a niche gadget for geeks.

    Love the eighties style Knight Rider moving LED though, a real touch of class that.

    1. Re:Koreanglish by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative
      I wholeheartedly agree. First, some background, my parents are Korean, I was born in the U.S., raised in Korea (age 7-17) and attended six years of Korean public grade/middle and high school (the other six in various schools for foreign students. So I guess you could say that I'm familiar with the Korean education system. In Korea, kids learn English in school for six years (it may be start earlier now) in middle and high shool. Korean high school students spend upwards of 80 hours a week studying (english taking up at least 20% of that time). Even if you consider they spend half that time during middle school, Korean students entering college have spent something like 4000 hours studying english and the vast majority of them can't speak or write grammatical (nevermind idiomatic) english to save their lives. It's totally pathetic. Not having studied language education and having spoken english as my first language, I can't tell you why Konglish (the Korean term for Korean-ized english) is so prevalent, but it is. I guess it's proof that when it comes to learning languages it's quality and not quantity that counts.

      Until recently, Samsung, one of the largest multinational electronics corporations in the world, still had bad grammar in their ads in U.S. magazines. Thank god that seems to have come to an end. Must have finally hired a real ad agency.

    2. Re:Koreanglish by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 1

      "Even if you consider they spend half that time during middle school, Korean students entering college have spent something like 4000 hours studying english and the vast majority of them can't speak or write grammatical (nevermind idiomatic) english to save their lives. It's totally pathetic."

      What excuse do American kids have?

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    3. Re:Koreanglish by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My schools (poor area) didn't even begin to offer foreign languages until middle school--and even then, the teachers were those who happened to be the teachers on staff most familiar with the given language (even though their primary field of instruction might, for example, be math).

      As a result, the quality of foreign language education through high school was incredibly low. The instructor may have been able to speak the language, but teaching it is entirely different.

      Contrast with my current school (Harvard, diametrically opposed to my high school in terms of quality of education), which has you speaking (and writing!) acceptable (as deemed by my Chinese (from China) friends) Mandarin inside 4 semesters (2-3 if you're insane enough to go for the intensive introductory courses).

      Just goes to show that it's quality, not quantity that counts.

      The fact is simply that American culture does not promote multilingual education to the same degree that Western European countries do because America is, by and large, monolingual. You can travel from Italy to Iceland, and easily come across a dozen distinct languages. America, however, is coast-to-coast English* (though there may be some areas where a secondary language is prevalent, depending on who happens to be immigrating here at the moment). Americans can also expect that the vast majority of probable travel destinations will speak English.

      This is the case with any large monoculture. The vast majority of the Chinese, for example, only speak Mandarin or Cantonese.

      *Ok, Ok.. American English for all the elitist Brits ;)

    4. Re:Koreanglish by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 1

      I was talking about their English skillz

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    5. Re:Koreanglish by M-G · · Score: 1

      Love the eighties style Knight Rider moving LED though, a real touch of class that.

      Glad I'm not the only one that immediately thought of Knight Rider when the page loaded. It's scary that as a kid I loved that show.

  13. Their site is a little slow... by samrolken · · Score: 2, Funny

    Perhaps they are running their website on a Yopy...

    --
    samrolken
  14. Definitely Nice by tomakaan · · Score: 1

    But they still look a bit blocky and slightly big. I'm going to have to wait until they get into the next generation before I seriously consider one.

  15. Again... by }InFuZeD{ · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The reason these PDAs will never make it mainstream is due to the HUGE program base that is out for Palms and PocketPC...

    You can make an amazing PDA based on Linux, but if it doesn't run the apps that are all ready out there, are the few advantages great enough to outweigh the lack of support?

    1. Re:Again... by Quickening · · Score: 1
      So tired of this ignorance... You're comparing freakin' toy pdas to a real computer. There are over 1000 app's now specifically for the Zaurus ( see Zaurus Software Index ), but I can run just about any app on the Debian Arm distribution, and any other linux app with source code is a simple re-compile away, or a not so difficult port to qtopia pe.

      Maybe if you'd been around long enough you'd realize how silly it is to say "never" in the computer industry, like someone saying the pc will never make it because of the HUGE program base on mainframes...

      --
      tcboo
    2. Re:Again... by RevAaron · · Score: 1

      Likewise, I'm tired of your brand of ignorance. The Zaurus has little in the way of software. No matter how many half-assed apps are listed on ZSI, there is little in the way of good apps. There are definately some gems (Konq and Opera come to mind), but for the most part, the state of software on the Z is pretty sad.

      Yes, you can run just about any app from Debian ARM, but what does that get you in the way of useful PDA apps? Nothing. Your argument wouldn't be so bad if the Z had a bigger screen and ran X by default. Yes, you can run X under or instead of Qtopia... but what good is running most X11 apps on a 320x240 screen!

      Oh, the power Linux and the ignorant zealouty of some of its users...

      --

      Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
  16. Not a brick, suprisingly... by waytoomuchcoffee · · Score: 3, Interesting

    First pic I saw I thought, uh uh another Clie-styled brick. However, the specs put it at only 7oz, much less than the high end clies. Still not as much as my Ipaq 1910 at a little over 4, but just a hair more than my old Palm III, but with a better form factor .

    I have to drool over the 2300mAh battery. Ack.

    While a Strongarm processor might not have the sex appeal of an Xscale, most of the Xscales are just empty promises for other handhelds. PPC 2002 doesn't support the Xscale's ARMv5 instruction set, and from the look of the upcoming Ipaq (which don't support v5 either but supposedly will have PPC 2003 installed), PPC 2003 won't either.

    1. Re:Not a brick, suprisingly... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      The problem has nothing to do with instruction sets, it was the fact it was choking on the bus speed. The PXA255 revision XScale chips fix this, and we're starting to see a nice speed boost in Quake, etc. The Toshiba e755, even with the ATI Imageon, which made it's slower brother the slowest PPC to date, is faster than PXA250 devices right now.

    2. Re:Not a brick, suprisingly... by waytoomuchcoffee · · Score: 4, Informative

      The bus bottleneck (was stuck at 100 for the Xscales, now up to 200) was a problem, but it still doesn't change the fact that PPC 2002 DOES NOT USE the v5 instruction set. It doesn't even use the hooks that allow the Xscale to change its internal speed to match the app, and thus increase battery life. Hell, the Xscale was NAMED after this feature (it "scales" itself).

    3. Re:Not a brick, suprisingly... by Jage · · Score: 1

      It doesn't matter PPC 2003 doesn't use the instruction set - it's not like the extra instructions could benefit the OS anyways. And I say this as a Pocket PC developer. It's really all about bus bus bus bus and bus. 100MHz at 16 bits per cycle (or every second cycle?) doesn't cut it! Memory fill speed is ~85MB/s on iPaq 3870 SA-1110 @ 206MHz and 80MB/s on iPaq 3970 X-Scale @ 400MHz.

  17. Good Luck by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Good luck finding a candy flavored Yopy

  18. CPU is lacking... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    It uses a StrongARM CPU. Didn't PPCs quit using these a couple of years ago? Hell, even Palms use Xscales now. For $450 I'd at least expect a current processor.

    1. Re:CPU is lacking... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Sure they did. I remember the jump from 68k too! :)
      <flamebait>
      "For $450 I'd at least expect a current processor."

      The mac people think so too.
      </flamebait>
    2. Re:CPU is lacking... by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 1

      why do you believe that there's a "best" CPU for any given PDA application? From the various reports that I've read, the current Xscale chip is barely faster and less power efficinet than the ARM. Same things applies with the OMAP device that Palm are using, and let's not forget that there are still plenty of "68k" (well, Dragonball) devies out there who's owners are quite happy with their speed and week-long battery life.

      As for the Mac - the desktops need better CPUs, but the laptops? Seem to be doing pretty good with the G3 and G4 class.

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
  19. slashdotted by ksoonson · · Score: 1

    it seems like the website is already slashdotted. It is too slow. Any mirrors? :-)

  20. Like a Clie by mao+che+minh · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's keyboard looks like the exact same dimension as a TG50 Sony Clie (which an office-mate owns). Seems to work for him just fine.

    1. Re:Like a Clie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's "vely smol."

    2. Re:Like a Clie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      dumbass, its "veely smor".

  21. heck by Shutup+Now · · Score: 0

    heck... for that price i might as well get a cheap-ass computer... or an ipod, whichever i like better..

    1. Re:heck by zapod4 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Good Idea! The real question now is how to fit that computer in your pocket.

    2. Re:heck by Shutup+Now · · Score: 0

      chain saws... buz saws... blow torches...

    3. Re:heck by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That shouldn't be a problem. Anyone who follows current fashion trends could easily fit a Beowulf cluster in their pants.

  22. But apparently their web server... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...DOES seem to be vaporware!

    1. Re:But apparently their web server... by lightcycle · · Score: 1

      Yes it is, since /. just vaporized it.

      --

      The stars that shine and the stars that shrink
      in the face of stagnation the water runs before your eyes
  23. Chicklet keyboard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Used one on an old Pet-2001 and TRS-80 coco. Man, they sucked. Not recommended for touch typing.

  24. Agreed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Their marketing skills are a bit lacking if they want to sell to the West. I suppose that we have to give them time toi mature, it's not like they can afford to a have a US front office in operation yet.

  25. Dude go get a dell by JVert · · Score: 1

    Dells got some nice pda's 300 mhz for $200. Ok its a pocketPC but compate $450 for 200mhz? Just say no.

  26. Uses by SkArcher · · Score: 1

    anyone any idea what the bottom photo on the accessories page is? It isn't labelled in any way.

    I can think of any number of uses for this tool, in terms of instant access and sys work.

    I can also think of a number of highly illegal uses for its capabilities.

    --

    An infinite number of monkeys will eventually come up with the complete works of /.
    1. Re:Uses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean the 'fashionable stylus'? It sells for $9. Do you have any objects at home you have not put in your ass?

    2. Re:Uses by thynk · · Score: 1

      anyone any idea what the bottom photo on the accessories page is? It isn't labelled in any way.

      Ummm... the pic at the bottom of the accessories page is labeled "Fashionable Stylus", so Umm... I would have to guess that it's a fashionable Stylus. Maybe they updated the page since you looked at it.

      I can think of any number of uses for this tool, in terms of instant access and sys work.

      I can also think of a number of highly illegal uses for its capabilities.


      I can only hope that you're talking about the Yopy in general and not the stylus with these two comments. :)

      --

      Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
  27. Program base doesn't equal success by mao+che+minh · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Look at the Handsprings. They ran Palm OS, but for some reason, I have never, ever seen one in use in the public (the local CompUSA's and Best Buys stopped selling a long, long time ago) - despite the fact that they actually had better specs then a Palm and larger screens, for only $10-15 more.

    PDAs are main stream; everyone from the CEO to grandma has one. Which means that the average PDA consumer is like every other average consumer of anything else, and name recognition and marketing pizazz still rules the market (in regards to sells).

    1. Re:Program base doesn't equal success by dammitallgoodnamesgo · · Score: 1

      Ironically enough, everyone in my office with a PDA has a handspring, but they've pulled out of Japan, so when one breaks, you have to buy a Sony or something

    2. Re:Program base doesn't equal success by tlianza · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Look at the Handsprings. They ran Palm OS, but for some reason, I have never, ever seen one in use in the public (the local CompUSA's and Best Buys stopped selling a long, long time ago
      If you go around that circular counter at most Best Buy's, you'll see the celluar phone section. There you'll most certainly see a Handspring Treo or two. If you go to their website it's pretty clear they're not competing in the plain 'ole handheld market anymore. Not surprising, if you ask me.
    3. Re:Program base doesn't equal success by goon · · Score: 1

      I disagree on *better screens*. At my local linux group I remember looking at another blokes *handspring* and the screen just looked crappy compared to my old PIII. Placing them side by side I could not adjust to the Handspring screen refresh. The text looked real blurry.

      --
      peterrenshaw ~ Another Scrappy Startup
    4. Re:Program base doesn't equal success by haraldm · · Score: 1
      I have never, ever seen one in use in the public

      I have, and it is lying in front of me. I love my Treo. NO idea why they weren't more successful.

      --
      open (SIG, "</dev/zero"); $sig = <SIG>; close SIG;
    5. Re:Program base doesn't equal success by milovoo · · Score: 1

      *Handspring*

      >NO idea why they weren't more successful.

      It's kind of a dumb name.

      -milo

  28. http://yopy.com/english/products/yp3700_features.h by zakezuke · · Score: 2, Informative

    Posted due to slashdotting effect

    -----
    * Folder like Design

    - Innovative and Attractive Design
    - Extreme Portability
    - Screen Protection from scratch or break

    * Excellent Hardware Specs
    - Fast Operation (206Mhz) and Big Memory (128MB RAM/32 MB ROM)
    - 2300mAh Li-ion Polymer Battery
    - MMC Slot and IrDA port
    - Outstanding 65,536 color TFT LCD
    - Colorful LED Indicator
    - CF-II Slot

    * Convenient Keypad
    - Performing/Ending/Editing Programs with Keypad
    - Same arrangement of keypad as Desktop PC (QWERTY Type)
    - Fast and handy data input

    * Wireless Internet Access anywhere, anytime
    - Wireless Internet Access anywhere, anytime
    - Wireless E-mail
    - Wireless Lan

    * Joyful Multimedia PDA
    - MP3 Player
    - Recorder
    - Painter
    - Making background freely - You can do it using the Wallpaper program or the Painter easily for yourself.
    -----
    - Copyright(c)2000 G.MATE, Inc All Rights reserved

    --
    There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.
  29. How about Apple's new 4 inch iBook by questamor · · Score: 4, Funny

    Speaking of the gameboy advance SP, can you imagine an iBook like this thing running linux?

    A server in your pocket, or maybe two

    1. Re:How about Apple's new 4 inch iBook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uhhh dude you have to be messed up to believe spymac or anything there. That picture is a CG rendering and nothing more if you believe more you're insane

    2. Re:How about Apple's new 4 inch iBook by thynk · · Score: 1

      You did see that this was in the "Concept" area and that the poster aplogized for "thieving their gameboy promo pic."?

      I don't think this is real. Of course, I can't tell from your post if you were serious or not.

      --

      Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
    3. Re:How about Apple's new 4 inch iBook by hatrisc · · Score: 1

      i think since he mentioned "speaking of gameboy ..." he didn't think it was real. he just thought i'd be cool if it were real and running linux.

      --
      I write code.
    4. Re:How about Apple's new 4 inch iBook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When I'm standing first in line to buy that baby, you're going to be sorry!

  30. Yopy is out ... yeah right... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hey guys! The Yopy is out for a *long* time! You can purchase them in Old Europe e.g. here:

    http://www.yopy.at/

    1. Re:Yopy is out ... yeah right... by SkArcher · · Score: 1

      If i'm reading this correctly (german not being my best language) then the german site is charging the equivalent of US$900!

      --

      An infinite number of monkeys will eventually come up with the complete works of /.
    2. Re:Yopy is out ... yeah right... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, 759 Euro for the new model are about 900 USD at the current exchange rate (which favours the Euro by nearly 1:1.19), you will notice this for other products too.

  31. Seems like their site is vaporware, though by christoofar · · Score: 1

    Temporarily down, thanks to /. :-)

    My my my, we need to cache these "cites" before we unleash the hounds.

  32. YOPY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    YOPY's for Yuppies. I think so!

  33. Someday maybe... by BrynM · · Score: 4, Insightful
    When will someone build a handheld with basic USB support? I just want to plug a drive in, or maybe basic printer support. I realize that drivers would be a nightmare, but if someone came up with a unified driver standard or something some USB device manufacturers might eventually support it. The price of a 512MB flash card is just too much and I've got a bunch of old hard drives laying around (some even with USB enclosures already).

    Even if it's not USB, some kind of mass storage would be quite a boon. Perhaps Apple will just steer the iPod in that direction eventually.

    --
    US Democracy:The best person for the job (among These pre-selected choices...)
    1. Re:Someday maybe... by wan23 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Here's what a google search turned up... maybe a little on the expensive side but, well if you really want it... http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/subpa ges/cfu1u.html

    2. Re:Someday maybe... by SkArcher · · Score: 1

      go to The German Site and have a look at the specification or features pages - very clearly labels a USB dock... maybe your prayers have been answered.

      --

      An infinite number of monkeys will eventually come up with the complete works of /.
    3. Re:Someday maybe... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Well, on my Zaurus, while at home I just NFS-mount my 100+GB's of storage, as well as my /mnt directory for CDROM/DVD access.. not *quite* as good as a USB port in the back, but certainly great for home use!

      You can even stream movies this way if you strip them down with mencoder (240x160, 16fps).. I just streamed a whole 2-hour movie over WiFi on my Zaurus last night (plugged in with AC adapter of course). That is some seriously cool shit. But of course it would be much cooler if I could do it on the road.. without a CF card....maybe someday!

      Also I'd like to see printer support.........

    4. Re:Someday maybe... by NonSequor · · Score: 1

      The USB standard includes specifications for various device classes. You can support all devices that properly follow their device class standards with a single driver. For printers you still have to have a printer-specific driver (or at least a driver specific to the document language your printer uses).

      --
      My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.
    5. Re:Someday maybe... by gearheadsmp · · Score: 1

      The only Linux PDA to date that has a USB Host Controller is the IBM E-Lap reference design. And it's not available yet :(

    6. Re:Someday maybe... by jericho4.0 · · Score: 4, Informative

      I'm talking out of my ass here, but I'm guessing the reason we don't see many PDA like devices with USB ports is because of the power requirments in the spec.

      --
      "A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming, is not worth knowing" - Alan Perlis
    7. Re:Someday maybe... by BrynM · · Score: 1
      That's a good point. Upon further inspection of the manual for the Ratoc device below, I found this little item:
      • Runs with 3.3V/5V power supply.
      It's strange, because they don't mention an adapter being included in the packaging...
      --
      US Democracy:The best person for the job (among These pre-selected choices...)
    8. Re:Someday maybe... by Kris_J · · Score: 1

      It has a CF slot, so this device might help.

    9. Re:Someday maybe... by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 1

      Someone did write a standard - USB mass storage devices are now very common. Those little USB pendrives are USB mass storage, so are devices such as USB HDD MP3 players, USB flash readers, and most USB hard drives.

      The Toshiba Pocket PCs have a USB host function. It supports keyboards with no drivers; someone has written drivers for mice, gamepads, and even... USB mass storage devices.

      So, the specification already exists (thank god) and Toshiba already has USB host (thank god). Looks like Apple won't have to save the day after all.

    10. Re:Someday maybe... by 73939133 · · Score: 1

      I believe USB masters can refuse to provide power altogether, or provide only a limited amount of power. Many hubs do that if you don't power them. They will still work fine with self-powered disk drives or printers.

    11. Re:Someday maybe... by thebigmacd · · Score: 1

      Those little USB pendrives are USB mass storage Unfortunately, those little pen drives are NOT standard USB mass storage. I have one. I comes with a floppy disk, because if you just plug it in even Windows XP doesn't know what to do with it, let alone NT/9x. Each company has their own drivers. My friend has one too, from a different company than me. You have to install drivers for both if you want to use both.

    12. Re:Someday maybe... by bzzzt · · Score: 1

      Hmm... seems you both got shafted then. Most pendrives work without drivers on Win2k/XP and recent Linux distro's and with drivers on everything else...

    13. Re:Someday maybe... by John+Harrison · · Score: 1

      Actually, there is another IBM PDA that has a USB host controller. You can read about it here. They are in production right now. I have one. It is sweet.

    14. Re:Someday maybe... by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      To be USB v1.1 compliant, a host controller must be able to source 5V 500mA minmum. If your device doesn't do that, it may still work with some things, but it won't meet the spec. so you can even print USB on the box.

      I think there is a new USB mobile standard coming out that deals with this.

      On a side note, the grandparent poster seems to be unaware that a CF slot is just a miniturized PCMCIA slot. You can get a CF->PCMCIA adapter, and then use a PCMCIA IDE controller card if you want. (Or a PCMCIA hard drive.) Even so, what the hell is the point? It would completely destroy the portability of the device. A 1GB CF card is only around $250 now anyways.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
  34. http://yopy.com/english/products/yp3700_software.h by zakezuke · · Score: 2, Informative

    Posted due to slashdotting effect

    ---
    This is the background of the YP3700. You can change the background with a photo or picture you like for your taste
    ---
    PIMS
    Task
    Memo
    Schedule
    Diary
    Contact
    PIMS Backup

    Multimedia
    MP3 Player
    Painter
    Recorder
    YOPY Office
    Text Edit
    YOPY Sheet
    YOPY Word
    YOPY Viewer
    Game
    Sokoban
    Freecell
    Solitaire
    XRick
    Utility
    Package Manager
    Calculator
    Wallpaper
    IrDA
    Xterm
    Network
    Internet Browser
    E-mail
    Network
    WLAN Config
    File Manager
    File Manager
    Settings
    Settings
    ---
    - Copyright(c)2000 G.MATE, Inc All Rights reserved

    --
    There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.
  35. Killer App by appleLaserWriter · · Score: 5, Insightful

    MAME

    1. Re:Killer App by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      for $99 you can get a GBA SP, for another $120 you can get a flash cart and a cable. you can download various roms and emulators. how is a $500 version of a $230 device a "killer app"?

    2. Re:Killer App by appleLaserWriter · · Score: 1

      Try this:

      Bring your GBA SP into a staff meeting and tell me how your next performance review goes.

    3. Re:Killer App by Andorion · · Score: 1

      Try this:

      Play MAME on your fancy handheld in a staff meeting, and tell me how your next performance review goes.

      ~Berj

  36. not that competative for its market by Trepidity · · Score: 3, Informative

    A 300 MHz Dell Axim X5, which also has SecureDigital (superset of MMC) and Compact Flash slots, costs about $200.

    1. Re:not that competative for its market by Nerdy · · Score: 1

      I just got a refurbed dell axim , 400mhz, 64mb memory model for $199 with docking station:

      compgeeks

  37. Solution... by Cyno01 · · Score: 2, Funny

    They said its like a gameboy, just get an afterburner kit. :p

    --
    "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
  38. processor too slow??? by CastrTroy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Though the fastest processor is 206MHz, they include CompactFlash and MMC slots

    damn, that's not slow at all, i'm running a 233 right now for my desktop, and it does most stuff, apart from new games very well. I know it's not a pentium chip in the new PDA, so you just can't compare straight mHz, but still 206 mhz, in your hand, this thing r0X0rs!!!

    --

    Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    1. Re:processor too slow??? by benzapp · · Score: 1

      I have an older Casio E125 PocketPC with a 150mhz MIPS processor. What I can tell you is my 486DX2/66 with 16 megs of ram running OS/2 is MUCH faster than this pocketpc device running a stripped down OS with twice as much memory.

      I don't know exactly how they are designing these portable devices, but they are not at all comparable to a regular PC.

      --
      I don't read or respond to AC posts
    2. Re:processor too slow??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "...my 486DX2/66 with 16 megs of ram running OS/2..."

      Hey benzapp, 1995 called. It wants its PC back. :P

  39. Any interest? by djupedal · · Score: 1

    Sounds like an opportunity...anyone stateside want one (or ten) of these, direct from Korea? Should be able to get, what...like 50+ (retail boxed) of these on a pallet? ...and at least ten of them in my pants :)

    "Those? Those are cell phones...I need one for each country I go to, and I go to a lot of countries...why?"

    1. Re:Any interest? by geekoid · · Score: 3, Funny

      Whats the cost on those? Not the ones in your pants, you can keep those...

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:Any interest? by djupedal · · Score: 1

      I'm trying to connect with them today to see if they'll give a quantity break, eval unit, etc. I'm also going into the electronics district in Seoul tomorrow to see what the local street price is.

      I've seen these in the past, but I've never priced them locally. You can see their prices on their site, if you order online. Right now it looks to be either $450 or $500, depending on model. Since they are apparently made here, I'm fairly certain there is price latitude, and the exchange rate is pretty good right now. I'll just have to check it out.

    3. Re:Any interest? by iate138 · · Score: 1

      totally, if the price is right. that would be frikkin sweet.

  40. Only 206Mhz?! by aardwolf204 · · Score: 1

    Only 206MHz?! What, thats like 600MHz when compared to a Windows machine.

    Horray for FOSS in my hand!

    And it flips! I can see it now, LCARS interface, Trek sounds... Whip it out and say proudly "Beam me up Linus"

    --
    Im dreaming ofa big bndwdth, That can resist the /.crowd.May ur days b merry & bright & may al
    1. Re:Only 206Mhz?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Not really. Last I checked, Windows CE used the fast context switch extension on StrongARM, giving it a distinct performance advantage over ARM Linux.

    2. Re:Only 206Mhz?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do you always think about linus when you "whip it out"?

    3. Re:Only 206Mhz?! by edbarrett · · Score: 1
      Whip it out and say proudly "Beam me up Linus"

      I think Slashdot has a new tag line.

      :) :)

    4. Re:Only 206Mhz?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are we marketing PDAs or porn?

  41. I have a first-generation Yopy by Markus+Registrada · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I fooled with my first-generation Yopy for quite a while while I was unemployed.

    I haven't touched it in a year, because Gmate never released source for anything but the kernel. Worse, their web site had a place to upload things, but anything they didn't like, (like my cool USB base station mod, evidently [see the serial number?]) they just tossed, without a reply -- the upload would just vanish into the ether. (I uploaded three times just to be sure it was deliberate.)

    It appears they wanted people to write applications, but not to fool with the hardware or kernel.

    I hope they have got less contemptuous of hackers in days since. At this point I would be a lot more likely to order one of those Japan-only Zauruses.

    1. Re:I have a first-generation Yopy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ".... I fooled with my first-generation Yopy for quite a while while I was unemployed...."
      I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume that you're still unemployed. Just a hunch.

    2. Re:I have a first-generation Yopy by Markus+Registrada · · Score: 1
      Some AC wrote, "I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume that you're still unemployed. Just a hunch."

      Misery looking for company? Too bad.

      Good luck, and try to forget Perl.

  42. oh no. by dance2die · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Uh oh. the web site has been /.'ed... I can't see nothing... I can't connect.. can someone post the cached link?

    --
    buffering...
  43. Wireless Lan CARD - LAME! by frovingslosh · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How lame. They promote the wireless nature of the beast, but it comes with a wireless lan card that stick out the end. Not only does that make it easy to break (and other brands of lan card might not work with the provided driver), but it wastes the slot, something you might need for other things when connected.

    --
    I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
  44. Printer drivers can be very light by mao+che+minh · · Score: 2, Informative
    The bulk of a PostScript driver for "business class - I.E. complex" printers usually resides in the PPD (printer description file). It's tough getting the size and complexity of a PPD down, even harder trying to get the manufacturer to make it smaller themselves (or in some cases, like with Canon, even trying to get technical specs from them - though the Code Host deal looks promising). The PCL instruction set can be daunting as well, especially PCL 5e.

    However, since this can run Linux, you can use a generic PostScript driver for just about all PS printers, and a light and basic PCL 6 driver for most "black and whites". All a PDA maker has to do is make a generic PostScript driver and and generic PCL set and be done. Making a PPD work for a given printer can be done by the open source community.

    So yes, it is amazing that PDA makers aren't providing printer support.

    1. Re:Printer drivers can be very light by RevAaron · · Score: 1

      Some PDA makers do provide printer support.

      WindowsCE includes the ability to print from the device. Note, however, that this is taken out in PocketPC (along with some other features in vanilla WinCE 3). However, my Jornada 720 and other Handheld PC 2000 and vanilla WinCE devices can print via the network or IR.

      My Newton 2100 also has printer drivers for a handful of printers. As did older Newtons. Another thing the Newton did well, but almost everyone else seems to have dropped the ball on...

      --

      Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
  45. Y vs. Z by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Well, let's see. I love my Zaurus .. the hardware is good (not sexy, but solid and functional), the software is so-so as a PDA, but great for geeks (my Zaurus is hacked and customized and streamlined out the wazoo, plus I got my wireless MP3 streaming, my tkcVideo movie-watching, got my customized SliMP3 server so I can control any MP3 stream in the house from the Z, got my sweet wireless Pocketop keyboard, got my homebrew RSS reader going on, got my WiFi card in full effect, you get the picture).

    So let's compare with Yopy:

    Yopy: awesome design, keyboard doesn't look as nice as the Z's which is arranged in the perfect way for thumb-typing. Hmm, you can't fold the screen around and hold the Yopy like a PDA unfortunately, and the keyboard is always exposed. I prefer the Z (plus on the Zaurus you can type pretty much any key you need if you know the right combinations, don't know about this guy).

    Looks like the Yopy has speaker/mic onboard? My Z doesn't have that, but the new model does, so that's not a big issue.

    Battery life: YOW the Yopy has a phat-ass battery. If there's one thing I hate about my Z it's the <1000mA-h battery. The new Z has a bigger battery but the Yopy kicks everybody's butt.

    MMC slot: Well, as far as I know, the SD cards are faster (so they can sell you the copyright bullshit feature which is deactivated on the Z anyway). I don't know if this is slower than the Z's SD slot. Why don't these guys just put TWO CF slots?? That's the superior format in my opinion anyway.

    CPU speed: the new Z has a 400Mhz Xscale but apparently it doesn't work right and the performance isn't good. The newer japan-only clamshell Zaurii have a full-speed 400MHz. So I guess it's a draw with the Z here, unless you get the very new clamshell Zaurus.

    Colorful LEDs? Well the Z has a couple LEDs that blink and an ANNOYING buzzer. I guess I'll call it a draw here too.

    Software: don't know much about the software on the Y. It looks like X Windows.. can I get good software for it? We'll see. I'll give the edge to the Z on this one becuase I know where to get good free and commercial Z software, haven't seen any Y software (yeah yeah, port the X apps, but what about when I want something that Just Works(tm)).

    Price: Well the Z is available cheap from many places, I got mine from the HSN special for $168, don't think the Y can compete with that. I'll hand this one to the Z.

    WiFi: Does the Y have built-in Wifi??? I don't understand when they say "wifi card". If it has it built-in that's a win for Y, I hate having to go off the air to use the CF slot (I HATE SD cards, and all my software is installed on mine so I never take it out anyway).

    So based on my cursory glance: The Y *looks* a *little* cooler than the (non-clamshell) Z. The battery life is much much better. Other than that, I don't see much reason to get one.

    Looking forward to the reviews/cool hacks/comments .......

  46. These are excellent PDAs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    I've been looking at the YOPY on eBay and they are verry nice PDAs. I first read about them on www.linuxdevices.com IIRC.

    Well built, excellent battery time, excellent visual capabilities and vivid color.

    In the history of PDAs, I would give the YOPY a B+, but because of its affordability I honestly must put the YOPY in the A- or A category. Truly a marvel whereas it will tap into the market share of people that can't afford the more expensive Toshiba and Sharp PDAs; to begin with, YOPY uses Linux and that means entirly a different arena of software compatibility that other proprietary Microsoft Windows CE and PalmOS PDAs simply can't cover.

    For all-time PDA, I consider Agenda Computing's VR3; better battery time and responsivness with a verry low power hardware subsystem, but the interfaces are proprietary and not utilized completly to this day.

  47. $500? by parkanoid · · Score: 1

    Thanks, I'll stick with pen, paper, and my left wrist.

    1. Re:$500? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    2. Re:$500? by coldguy · · Score: 1
      Um, yes you can... or IBM can, anyway.

    3. Re:$500? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I once saved $500 using toilet paper and my right wrist... I guess she used the pen...

  48. Yopy.... looks happy by zakezuke · · Score: 1

    I must admit, one one of those people that the applice newton had some form of apeal to, who was very disapointed when the Palm Pilot came out, and found lacking in the way of features.

    Now, I can't tell based on the site wether or not the screen offers handwriting reconition like the old newton did, but it being linux i'm sure it can adapt if nessicary. One aspect I did enjoy abou the newton was it's ability to take notes in class, while it wasn't quite mature enough to be trully reliable, writing on it "explore your world" it seemed to think I was trying to say, "trust the fungus", it's ability to take hand doddles and actually straighten out the lines and before I knew it, I actually good looking readable diagrams and schematics.

    I'm sorta going by http://www.yopy.at/features.html

    [babble fish for people like me who don't do deutch]
    http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/ urltrurl? tt=url&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yopy.at%2Ffeatures.htm l&lp=de_en

    It looks like, to me, that stylus is designed to go on the screen, rather then the Palms that don't really have that feature. While my handwriting skills are pretty poor, I can work with just about any basic graphics application and clean up my my scetchs for something presentable. And too boot, it's based on linux, a product I use and can find applications for, yay.

    Too rich for my blood presently, but on a buy from that geek who just got the go faster stripes model list.

    --
    There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.
  49. MOD PARENT UP +1 Informative! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    mod it up

    1. Re:MOD PARENT UP +1 Informative! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      why, because you posted it?
      Grandparent is a karma-whore. Moderate accordingly.

  50. MOD PARENT UP +1 Informative by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I did the research, and homeboy is right

  51. So what? by Bingo+Foo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Call me back when Duke Nukem Forever is ported to it.

    --
    taken! (by Davidleeroth) Thanks Bingo Foo!
  52. Tungsten C by pcwhalen · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    by Palm. $499 with wireless inside, not a card. 400 mhz strongarm. Smaller, cooler looking and has a keyboard. All I need. I don't need to program on my handheld (although there is a C compiler for Palm), Why would I want a linux handheld? Keep compiling kernnels? doesn't compute with me.

    Seriously, no troll.

    --
    Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain with all your metadata.
    1. Re:Tungsten C by stratjakt · · Score: 1

      Linux is a great way for manufacturers to cut costs and widen their profit margins.

      It doesn't do much for the consumer though. Except give them a warm fuzzy feeling like they're saving whales or some such shit.

      --
      I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
    2. Re:Tungsten C by geekoid · · Score: 1

      Philosophy.

      Some people want to use as much open source as possible. They would rather have a slower unit that agrred with there beliefs, then a fast spify one that would cause them to compromise there principles.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    3. Re:Tungsten C by MSTCrow5429 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Maybe people just don't understand the market. No one except Linux fanatics (not Linux sysadmins or the vast majority of Linux users) are going to want a Linux PDA. Intertia and installed user base are split between Pocket PC (PPC means Power PC to me) and Palm OS. Consumers and most techies are not going to jump to a much less supported and less understood system simply because it has the words "Linux" in the product description. We are going to go with the software available and ease of use, not whether it is running a buggey OS (more bugs than Windows, if you follow the statistics) whose only benefits are that it is free (which won't matter in the PDA market), is open (most consumers don't rewrite their OS) and is not Microsoft (most people will buy what is easiest to use and performs better, not on theological grounds).

      --
      Slashdot: Playing Favorites Since 1997
    4. Re:Tungsten C by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Gee, Linux doesn't run any software? You got to be joking. The Kompany and Hancom sell apps for Linux PDAs, there's OpenZaurus (free replacement operating environment), and there's a variety of free software available for the thing. Heck, if you really need a program, you can probably port a Linux program to it. Just recently I got an wireless IR ipaq web-toaster keyboard to work with my Zaurus. Yes, it did require some programming effort. I'm sure I'd never get the thing to work with a PocketPC or PalmOS PDA.

  53. follow-up: no backlight on yopy???? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Shit, people are saying there's no backlight on the Yopy screen. If that's the case, then definitely stick with the Zaurus.

    How the heck am I supposed to watch porn at night? ;-)

  54. obBeowulf by B747SP · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Imagine a Beowulf cluster of these!

    --
    I find your ideas intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
  55. Yopy review... by 920 · · Score: 1

    I can't see the yopy homepage, so I don't know how it currently stands, but a quick look at google to try to sneak a peek at the cached copy led me to find yopy.org which points you to a debian developer's page entitled yopy sucks!. I certainly hope they have looked into this issue as it could be a downfall in a niche market...

    Joe

    --
    "Perl 6 gives you the big knob" -- Larry Wall
    1. Re:Yopy review... by Lazy+Jones · · Score: 1

      Well, that Debian developer might want to take a look at this .

      --
      "I love my job, but I hate talking to people like you" (Freddie Mercury)
    2. Re:Yopy review... by 920 · · Score: 1

      If you had read the article... And I quote: " Yes, I know about the possibilities, like the USB Serial module, and the USB Network modules. I have even used them. But they are third-party modules, in no way supported by G.Mate or the Linux Kernel folks. Also, they don't work completely; they make my desktop's kernel crash (panic) unrelated."
      The point he was making is that he believed the developers of the topy should have developed a solution for this, not relying on 3rd parties to do their 'dirty work', even though we know they will. You pay that much money for something, you expect it to do, not be able to do with some work...

      Joe

      --
      "Perl 6 gives you the big knob" -- Larry Wall
    3. Re:Yopy review... by alienhazard · · Score: 0

      did you try enabling pictures? thats why it didnt work for me at first, i had them disabled from when i went to warez sites so i wouldnt see nasty pictures :)

      --
      > "I allege that SCO is full of it" -Linus
  56. In vino veritas! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Try it with some WINE.
    (Ok, maybe WINE doesnt do CE, but the idea is Linux to be a superset of Windows...)

  57. Not quite "Just Ariving!" by iamatlas · · Score: 1

    About a year and a half ago I became obsessed with getting a linux handheld. Yopy, the VR3 and Zaurus were available as easy access for purchase. (The older Yopy- this one came out around Xmas) This story is hardly news. Just new-to-non-googling-for-cool-devices americans.

    Maybe its an ad. Either way, I chose the Zaurus w/ no shipping from Staples at a discounted price due to their price-matching blah blah blah. I wanted the Yopy though, mostly because, for those wondering, it does run on X.

    Ebay for them. They're there, and $250 now.

  58. Just what I look for in a PDA! by rindeee · · Score: 1

    "Making background freely - You can do it using the Wallpaper program or the Painter easily for yourself." Cause if I'm not making backrgound freely, I'm just not happy.

  59. Question...... by zakezuke · · Score: 1

    I recently downloaded a series of atari 5200 games and an emulator. To be honest I haven't tried to use anything resembling a 6502 emulator for years. At least on my 733 pentium III machine, it seems quite adquate.

    Question: What about making a nice little transparent wrapper so that an existing wealth of games can be used under this new platform. While I'm sure some of the classics like pac-man and such are still protected under copyright, but after seeing recently an atari joystick with essentally a 2600 onboard, i'm under the impression that a comercial enterprise could successfuly purchace legit license for reasonable fee. I would think that companies like Atari would be overjoyed at the possibility of their classic stuff that pretty much has squat in the way of market value actually making a buck or two.

    --
    There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.
  60. *SIGH* by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Didn't anyone ever watch star trek? When the hell are we going to get *real* pad devices? What a kludgy looking piece of pooo.

  61. Run for money ? How ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    How were they supposed to give Zaurs run for its money
    if the features are similar but Zaurus
    can be bought on-sale for less thant $200...
    While these Yoppies are $450-$500 ...

  62. Yoppy is not a good name. by zymano · · Score: 1

    how about Bobey ?

  63. The Apple I-POD crowd thinks it's a steal by zymano · · Score: 1

    Just as much as an I-Pod. Were all millionaires.

    1. Re:The Apple I-POD crowd thinks it's a steal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no I paid $200 for mine, well worth it

  64. NOOO BACKLIGHT.. BAD BAD IDEA! BAD!!!! by Viewsonic · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    You CANNOT see anything on backlit PDAs and game devices unless you're in a dim light setting, and outdoors its 100% useless.

    Like the GBA-SP, this device uses FRONT LIT screen, which makes it viewable IN ALL LIGHTING ASPECTS. Outdoors in the bright sun, in dark rooms, in dim rooms, bright rooms, etc.. Front Lit is PERFECT, and doesn't use up hardly any battery compared to backlit.

    I'm 100% serious when I say that those wishing backlit screens have either never owned a backlit device and used it outdoors, or just dont care about lighting because they live in a dark cave irregardless.

    Backlit screens = TERRIBLE for these devices.

    1. Re:NOOO BACKLIGHT.. BAD BAD IDEA! BAD!!!! by brandorf · · Score: 1

      Gee, I sure don't have any problems with the backlight on my Sony Clie, recardless of the lighting conditions. And you can turn off the backlight when you're outside. Frontlighting has a bad habit of washing out the colors (noticible on the GBA SP, and GBA with Afterburner).

      --


      Bork Bork Bork!!
    2. Re:NOOO BACKLIGHT.. BAD BAD IDEA! BAD!!!! by javac · · Score: 1

      I have a dell X5 and I can see just fine in the sun with the backlight on. You are simply not familiar with the new transflective screens

  65. Different markets. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I think any kind of Linux based PDA (or PMT in Zaurus-speak) is not going to appeal to the average PDA consumer/user. These are really a lot more than PDAs. Actually, if you look just at the PIM apps, they suck. What these are really good at are connecting to/monitoring/administering networks and machines. For Unix boxes you've got standard ssh/scp/telnet/ftp/nfs/smb/etc. There's also a wonderful app called WinconnectZ for the Zaurus that's basically rdesktop on your Zaurus. My boss flipped when I showed him (in a meeting) a server desktop on my Zaurus. Around the room it went to all the managers. They were sold on that alone. Now all our administrators have one. And I got reimbursed for everything I spent. :-)
    Anyway... I wsent off on a tangent, but the long and short of it is I doubt these will appeal to the average user. Admins, definitely!
    If you really wanted to push these to ordinary users, I think I'd concentrate on marketing the mp3 music/mpeg movie players on them. And the fact that they have CF card slots (think IBM 1 gig microdrive - they hold a lot of data).
    The fact that you could check your email in Starbucks doesn't hurt either.

    1. Re:Different markets. by RevAaron · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The whole PMT vs PDA thing is bullshit. It's something Zaurus users use to help rationalize the fact that they've spent a boatload of money on a PDA that has a very poor screen and even worse battery life and very little software selection.

      You, and countless others on Slashdot, have talked about all the fun little LUG and show-the-boss demos you can do on the Zaurus. Guess what? Pretty much all of them work on WinCE and also PocketPC (which is a superset of WinCE).

      Yes, on Windows CE you can do SSH. Telnet. X11 (using Xfree86 no less). You can program in Perl (perl/tk even), Python, Ruby, Squeak Smalltalk, and Tcl/Tk, among plenty of others. You can do rdesktop. VNC. You can play oggs and mpegs. War driving and wifi monitoring. Hell, on my Jornada 720, I do all of this stuff. I also use it for writing all of my papers in LaTeX.

      Unlike the SL-5x00 or even the SL-C7x0 Zaurii, the J72x's keyboard is actually useful for more than a thumboard. The C700 has a keyboard which looks like something you may be able to touch-type on, but it's not. It's a little larger than the kb on the SL-5x00, but not much better. On the J720, I type almost as fast as I do on the desktop, which is a huge positive. On other PDAs- the Axim or the Newton 2100- I have real handwriting recognition. The Zaurus and its goofy thumboard wouldn't be so bad if you could get some form of HWR or even semi-decent character recognition, but there isn't any to be had.

      I've owned a Zaurus. After a month, I sold it. My problem is probably that I've actually used other PDAs before getting the Zaurus. I went in expecting something that didn't suck quite that hard. I wasn't expecting something that was as useful as a NewtonOS, WinCE or PalmOS PDA, but something that wasn't as bad as it as.

      The biggest surprise when I tried to switch to the Zaurus is the software. One can find a lot more *adapted* Unix/Linux software for Windows CE than you do for the Zaurus. With the Zaurus, you can compile anything pretty easily out of the box; but what use is that when it's a huge PITA to use? I never once found any nice integrated package for doing LaTeX and a lot of other things on the Zaurus.

      If the Zaurus is a "PMT" because it is only good at doing some admin-ney things, and PalmOS devices are "PDAs" because they do the PIM stuff well, what are WinCE devices? PDMT?

      The only thing I wish I had on my WinCE Jornada 720 that the Zaurus has is Opera 6. It's a sweet browser. The Jornada 720 has IE and NetFront, which are both pretty good, but Opera on the Zaurus was fast and nice.

      And for those with PocketPC experience who are about to reply saying "PocketIE blows!" Don't bother. PIE for PocketPC 2k and 2002 does blow. It (literally) has the feature set of IE 3, with a couple things like SSL added on. Internet Explorer for vanilla-WinCE and Handheld PC 2000 on the other hand has a feature set like IE 4.5 and 5. Except it's not as flaky, spazzy or bloated as its desktop counterpart. (thank "Bob!")

      --

      Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
    2. Re:Different markets. by RevAaron · · Score: 1

      Oh, and I forgot to mention- I love my little Jornada 720. Screw a 1 GB microdrive- they're overpriced and don't hold much compared to the options I have with the J720. Thanks to its PCMCIA slot, I have a 2 GB PCMCIA harddrive which only cost $80. The same kind of drive as is found in the iPod. If I was willing to shell out that kind of dough, I could easily get 30 GB of storage for my PDA. :)

      --

      Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
  66. It has Front-Lit screen, which is WAY better. by Viewsonic · · Score: 3, Informative

    Says on their page its front lit like the GBA-SP and Afterburner kit, which are perfect ways of lighting that works great indoors and outdoors.

  67. Archaic ordering process by whatch+durrin · · Score: 3, Informative
    Just to see if they had a secure ordering process (it was obviously foreign), I started to place an order.

    Turns out, you have to make a wire transfer to their bank account in order to get one. When's the last time you went to your bank for a wire transfer (note: there are extra fees involved).

    Also, shipping to the US is US$50. So raise the minimum price to US$500.

    --
    ***
    Radio Shack. You've got questions...we've got blank stares(TM).
    1. Re:Archaic ordering process by lateralus_1024 · · Score: 1

      and the kicker is that your confirmation number is given via morse code.

      --
      If you think /. comments are bad, check out Digg.
    2. Re:Archaic ordering process by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't sweat that. I had to set up a whole bank account for this deal I'm working with some folks in Nigeria. What I'll get in the end will make the trouble of setting up the deal seem like nothing!

  68. Today's technology truly amazes me. by dimension6 · · Score: 2, Funny
    Making background freely - You can do it using the Wallpaper program or the Painter easily for yourself.

    WOW! You can change the background now? Incredible! I can not only change it, but I can change it easily by myself!

  69. Boy did they blow this one!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hey I have an interest in a linux based PDA but boy did thse guys mis the boat as far as a feature set goes.

    First I have no interest at all in a device that does not support compact flash. Apparently the 3500 model does not have a compact flash slot, and the 3700 uses that for wireless.

    Second no back light - no sale. Hey sometimes we have to work in the dark.

    Third, even if all of the above did not apply this unit is to expensive for an outdated processor. I realize there are performance issues with xscale but come on folks Intel is not the only barge on the river.

    Looks like I'll have to stick with Linux running on outdate laptops as my equivalent of a PDA.

    dave

  70. Re:You MUST read this! (+5, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fascinating. This should be on Slashdot's front page.

  71. i mod you down to -100 by zymano · · Score: 1

    Starting Score: 1 point Moderation -40 50% Troll 50% Flamebait Extra 'Troll' Modifier -60 (Edit) Total Score: -100 Please. No more stories about trying to touch an ASIAN man's Yoppys.

  72. Re:Someday maybe... Today sorta! by BrynM · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Good eye wan23! The Ratoc host adapter sounds like the ticket! It supports HDDs, Zip Drives, Keyboards, memory sticks/cards, RF-ID tag readers, and barcode scanners. Still no printing, but it's a start.

    I don't have any of the supported PDAs, but my ultra-cool, ultra-sexy, uber-geek girlfriend has an iPAQ (not that I'm kissing up so she'll get one, but I do think she is those things... really... its true! bah!). It's $139 though... That hurts and will push it back on my toy buying schedule. Maybe my girlfriend will read the PDF manual and think about it ;)

    --
    US Democracy:The best person for the job (among These pre-selected choices...)
  73. Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark by Fizzl · · Score: 1

    Wow, it's new design is a radical departure from the original "beta" models, which looked a hell of a lot like a thicker Zaurus. I like it a lot (the design and the layout).

    Damn. My initial thoughts were completelly opposite. I think the layout is weird and the thing looks like a brick :(

    I already wrote a long rant about the device but came back to me senses and cacelled :)

    Would not spend 449 on one of these things either...

    Linux and 128M RAM are cool thou.

  74. looks a lot better than the Zaurus by 73939133 · · Score: 3, Informative

    This looks great. I just ordered one.

    I have a Zaurus and it has generally been a disappointment. The built-in applications are not all that good, and its use of Qt/Embedded makes it very difficult to port most Linux GUI software to it--you have to spend time learning Qt/Embedded. I find the Zaurus mostly useful as a little wireless terminal and music player for around the house, not as a PDA.

    The Yopy looks like it gets it right: standard Linux with X11. Note that G.MATE also first tried to use some other embedded window system and then saw the light.

    Also, the keyboard on the Yopy looks like it's more functional to me than what the Zaurus has. The Zaurus keyboard feels nice, but the sliding mechanism is kind of clunky. On the Yopy, it's right there.

    The price seems pretty much in line with the new Zaurus, the PPC, and Palm handhelds, and the Yopy just seems like a nice machine.

    1. Re:looks a lot better than the Zaurus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Having X on PDA is useless.
      You can run X on your Z but why would you want that ?
      99% of X apps cannot even cope with 320x240 screen and these that can are practically unusable.

    2. Re:looks a lot better than the Zaurus by 73939133 · · Score: 1

      You can run X on your Z but why would you want that ?

      Because then I can program it in FLTK, Gtk+, Tcl/Tk, wxWindows, Gtkmm, wxPython, PyGnome, wxLua, Gtk#, etc.--the toolkits I actually use. Qt doesn't even have (usable) OCAML or Lua bindings.

      99% of X apps cannot even cope with 320x240 screen and these that can are practically unusable.

      It's a lot easier to change the UI for an application to work well on a small screen than to start from scratch.

      Also, there are lots of X apps that are specifically written for pen-based devices and small screens: handwriting recognizers, document viewers, gesture recognizers, multimedia players, etc. All those just work on X-based handhelds.

  75. Re:Tungsten C and FreeBSD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I refuse to run the inferior NIH linux which has lied to me with every release about how stable or robust the previous release really was. I will only run a BSD based PDA. It's time to port this baby to BSD!

  76. Very poor software... by Yahnz · · Score: 1

    If you absolutely must have a Linux boxen, go for it. If you actually need a PDA, skip this one.

    Look at the software screen shots. The scheduling app shows a 6am appt. with a label of "Get UP".
    We're talking about something even more useless than the PPC2002 Outlook. Same with the other apps...

    These things look like they were made by 19 year old hackers - how they could expect that anyone could actually use these is beyond me.

    It's worthless...

    Jan

  77. Re:You MUST read this! (+5, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    HOLY SHIT DUDE! That's CRAZY!

  78. Preinstalled games by SuperBanana · · Score: 1
    the fabled Linux based YOPY handheld has been put on the market after all!

    I heard a nasty rumor it comes with Duke Nukem Forever preinstalled.

  79. Quick Dell Axim review. by thynk · · Score: 1

    Dude, I've got a Dell! Actually was impressed enough with the Dell Axim's specs that we ordered a few to test, and have been using them as our "Standard issue for techs" PDA. With the 300Mhz model, the 802.11b card, the USB sync cradle and a beefy 3400mAh battery, I think they run a little under $400 for the combo pack we've picked out.

    The thing I like most about them, the long battery life - I get 6-8 hours of ALWAYS on use with the 802.11b card with the standard battery, and 13+ hours of constant with the 3400mAh battery.

    My least favorite? PPC2002 OS. Seems that the system STILL has bugs to be worked out of the OS. Sometimes things just don't work as you would expect them to (like pushing the power button and expecting it to turn off).

    --

    Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
    1. Re:Quick Dell Axim review. by CDR1313 · · Score: 1

      Dude, you must have got good production run of Axims. My co-worker is on his third Axim. The first one plain didn't work and the second would continually soft reset on him. I guess the third time's the charm though his isn't seeing anywhere close to 6-8 hour battery life.

      --
      Are the voices in my head bothering you?
  80. Plenty of buttons by Luminair · · Score: 1

    Nice keyboard. Are Linux fans taking design cues from the Atari Jaguar?

  81. Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 1

    If you look around, you can find great deals on Pocket PCs. I got a Toshiba e335 (64M RAM, 32M Flash, XScale 300Mhz, Integrated SD expansion, 16-bit color sidelit reflective screen, speaker, microphone, stereo headphone port, USB host) for $125 on Amazon thanks to some mail in rebates (it was $250 before rebates).

  82. Nice name... by dicka_j · · Score: 1

    And now, something that no "Yuppy" should be without....

    1. Re:Nice name... by dicka_j · · Score: 1

      I'm not up with all the various slang in other nations, so no one may get this joke.

      Yuppie: A young city or suburban resident with a well-paid professional job and an affluent lifestyle.

      used in Aus as a term of ridicule.

  83. Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark by 73939133 · · Score: 3, Informative

    I'll stick with my $195 backlit Clie that I got from Circuit City

    No question, the Clie is a great deal for a basic PDA with a nice screen. But none of the PalmOS devices are particularly good for developing custom applications for because their OS is so different from everything else (oddball memory management, database as the primary storage model, a GUI toolkit that's different from everything else).

    And yes, I do realize that making these things are not exactly cheap, but $400+ dollars for those specs - from an unproven manufacturer?

    The Yopy has been on the market for several years and is apparently fairly popular in Korea. But the beauty is, it really doesn't matter whether the manufacturer is obscure or not: the thing runs standard Linux and X11, so you know exactly what you are getting. Furthermore, should G.MATE disappear, your investment in the software isn't lost because you can just run it on an iPaq or some other Linux/X11 handheld.

    As for the price, you pay $499 for a Yopy with WiFi, which is pretty much the same you pay for a Tungsten C. For the Tungsten C, I think that's overpriced, because PalmOS really has a hard time taking advantage of the 400MHz ARM, 64Mbytes of memory, and WiFi. In contrast, the Yopy makes sense: there are lots of Linux applications for which its compute power makes sense, and all that needs to be done to run them on the Yopy is to recompile them.

  84. Re:Someday maybe... PCMCIA SCSI now by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have an Adaptec SCSI card that plugs into my HP Jornada 680's PC Card slot, and lets it use Zip and CD ROM drives (haven't got around to trying one of my SCSI HDD's yet). I did have to watch on eBay for one of the later 1460's that would work with the Adaptec WinCE drivers, but I got it for about $20 or so ...

    FWIW

  85. Dragonix and Visor by Felinoid · · Score: 1

    If your willing to built it yourself you can build a Dragonix PDA with USB support.
    Obveously printer support would be part of that and it runs Linux.

    On a only slightly lower end you can get a printer cart for the Handspring Visor I belive they have something similar for the Palm III and up.

    Still there hasn't been a major intrest in printers for PDA's over time.
    Still an "on the fly" biz card printer would be nifty.

    --
    I don't actually exist.
  86. misperception by 73939133 · · Score: 1

    The reason these PDAs will never make it mainstream is due to the HUGE program base that is out for Palms and PocketPC..

    I think that's a misperception. Yes, there are a lot of people selling software for Palm and PocketPC, but most of that is for giving you functionality that Linux users take for granted.

    Something like the Yopy (or even the Zaurus) gives you things like ssh, terminal emulation, rsync, 802.1x, WiFi apps, image viewers, editors, huge numbers of special purpose applications, plenty of games, etc out of the box or via a free download. Even if you paid hundreds of dollars for add-on Palm or PocketPC software, you couldn't come close--many of those applications have never been ported to Palm or PocketPC and would be a major project to port to those platforms if anybody tried.

    What the Palm does well--better than any Linux PDA--is its built-in apps. But that's pretty much all it does well.

  87. repeat after me ; MORE MEMORY !!! by crux6rind · · Score: 1

    when will those handheld manufacturers realize that 64 mb of memory aint gonna cut it for us computer geeks?
    i mean if apple could make a slim 30GB ipod, and 400mhz strongarm is available, why not put them both together and make the ultimate handheld device of the century
    running linux of course...

    --

    d035 7hi5 100k 1ik3 4n l337 5i6 2 j00 ?
    1. Re:repeat after me ; MORE MEMORY !!! by Zandweter · · Score: 1

      is it microdrive compattible.... ;)

      i completely agree... for this price I would like some more memmospace

  88. ./'ed... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Let me guess: they're running their webserver on a YOPY...

  89. at that size by appleLaserWriter · · Score: 1

    dump the gui and make it into a portable wifi iTerm. You could even license the vt100 name from Digital, I mean Compaq, I mean HP.

    Sweet pic, too bad the hinge is different from the top than from the front :(

  90. get it here by 73939133 · · Score: 1

    Sure I can. Get yours here. It's like a 4" iBook, except that it's smaller and lighter. Flip over for a small tablet/pen-based PDA. And, like Apple, it runs a proprietary window system on top of a UNIX-clone, which is an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on where you are coming from.

  91. Xcalc, come on by smcavoy · · Score: 1

    I mean really could they not have made it look at least a little better. Yes, yes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", but really how much effort could it take to develop something a little nicer.

  92. vaporware by cribb · · Score: 1

    hm... and i thought that 'vaporware' would be a link to duke nukem forever...

    --
    Hostes alienigieni me abduxerunt. Qui annus est?
  93. Yopy 3000 by novellvssco · · Score: 2, Informative

    Although the yopy 3500 and the 3700 are the first commercially viable versions, the yopy 3000 has been around for more then a year.I have had my yopy 3000 for more then a years now and I have bought the 3700 too. It's a big improvement with the backlight support and the hancom office suite.

    1. Re:Yopy 3000 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...more THAN a year. (!!!)

  94. Great Hangul to English Translation by bangzilla · · Score: 1
    Hope they pay the designers of the Yopy more than they pay the folks who translated their web site into English. The FAQ is laughably useless. Unless native English support sites spring up I'd write off support from these guys. Nothing personal - it's just that if you're going to sell a product, at least have native language speakers market and support it.

    --
    Rich people are eccentric. Poor people are strange. Me, I'd be happy with odd.
  95. Yes, but what makes you compare it to an iPod? by iamacat · · Score: 1

    It looks like a solid PDA, but not really eye catching compared to Zaurus, CLIE, Tungsten or some CE devices. It probably has less applications ported for it than any of the above. What else can it compete on except price?

    By contrast iPOD is unique in many aspects, from exceptionally sturdy design to enough storage to backup your whole hard drive or boot your desktop from the PDA. When there are dozens of devices like this, people will no longer pay $500 to get one.

  96. Re:You MUST read this! (+5, Interesting) by akpcep · · Score: 1

    Shame he's an ugly fuck.

    --
    Hmmm.
  97. Re:Someday maybe... Today sorta! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Dude, if your left hand owns an iPaq, so do you.

  98. Too late! by appleLaserWriter · · Score: 1

    I just dissolved my company today, so there won't be any more staff meetings. Or perf reviews!

    Hey, do you know anyone looking to hire a guy with technology development and coffee making skills? I think I could handle those pushbutton machines at starbucks :)

  99. DOPY! UGLY! Just what a geek wants! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    DOPY! UGLY! Just what a geek wants! U-G-L-Y!

  100. If THAT'S slim a toothpick is Anna Nicole's dildo! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If THAT'S slim a toothpick is Anna Nicole's dildo!

  101. There is NO VT5 instruction set that matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There is NO VT5 instruction set that matters to all but very select applications. There is a 40-bit MAC operation that could be useful, but that's it from the application level.

  102. Left Wrist by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Left-handed? You weirdo!

  103. More Form Factor Folly by HiTek-LoLife · · Score: 1

    Why the hell is everyone SO DAMN STUCK to the vertical form factor? This is one of the reasons I've never be able to comfortably use a modern PDA. I remember early on leaving my Palm at home more and more, in favor of my old 256kb Sharp clamshell; and to this day still find myself disappointed whenever I store-demo the latest, greatest gadget. Seriously, vertical layout is totally anit-ergonomic, and makes you look like some mutant goliath doctor pecking with a pen at a tiny clipboard. Clamshell is the way to go! Holding the device is far more natural in regard to hand position, thumb-typing is very fast and easy to get the hang of, landscape is a better screen layout, and you could still slap some wheels and buttons on the case edges for one-handed use. I hope that the new Zaurus clamshell is the shape of things to come, and that this decade-old Palm clone idiocy will finally cease. And while we're at it, let's also face the fact that Danger (Hiptop) is the only thing going as far as new and innovative design! (if only it had some horsepower...)

  104. The Zaurus software is so-so? No, it's rubbish... by Moderation+abuser · · Score: 1

    I mean, it's rubbish all over, a real minimal effort.

    Lets start with the spreadsheet:

    Does it have a charting/graphing ability? NO.
    Correct behavior with respect to formulas when new columns are inserted? NO.

    The word processor:

    Does it support styles? NO.
    Does it support the embedding of application objects? NO, all it can do are bitmaps.
    Does it have a spell checker? NO.
    Date or other abitrary fields? NO, can only insert date strings.

    Todo list:

    The todo list integrated with the Calendar? NO.
    Does the todo list remember it's view options between instances? NO.

    The calendar:

    Does it remember view options between instances? NO.
    Does it have a year overview? NO.
    Does it make good use of the limited screen real-estate? NO, it uses large blocks to display entries.

    The media player:

    Can it handle multiple play lists? NO
    Does it handle corrupted/truncated files gracefully? NO, it locks up and takes the UI with it.

    More general complaints:

    It doesn't have a generic database which can handle arbitrary data types.

    You can't embed objects (tables, pictures, sound recordings etc) from one application into another application.

    The clock doesn't have an alarm function.

    The world time utility has a very limited city list.

    The address book doesn't allow choice of the fields displayed.

    The screen real estate is badly used, the menu bar, scroll bars and task bars are constantly on the screen using up space.

    The user interface constantly requires the switching from pen taps to keyboard and back.

    There's no way to do an equivalent to alt-tab to other running applications using the keyboard, you have to use the pen.

    All the files are in a *single* Documents folder requiring extensive scrolling if you have a large CF disk inserted.

    You have to press the edit button or chose the edit option from the menus in the todo list, calendar, address book to edit entries which means switching from pen to keyboard and back. Why not just click directly on the entry?

    The synchronisation software is an afterthought, you have to place files in specific folders and press a button to sync. Why no drag and drop.

    On top of all this... I have to back it up to MMC card twice per day because it's not reliable.

    Good points:
    Wifi/LAN connectivity.
    Opera is nice.
    Nice games.
    Can play MP3s.

    Psion/Epoc based machines (Series 5, Revo) are *faster*, have all of the above functionality with a significantly lower hardware profile (8Mb RAM, 18MHz cpu). These machines have been properly thought out with respect to the user interface on small machines and the functionality of the applications. The only thing they can't do is play mp3s.

    The Zaurus by comparison has been thrown together with little thought to the user interface on a small machine it's basically a smaller edition of a desktop user interface, the on board applications are hopelessly limited, basically needing commercial or freeware replacements for virtually everything.

    The only reason it is remotely acceptable to the market is that the market has particularly low expectations of palmtop systems, brought by the adoption of rather poor systems like the Palm and Windows CE machines...

    --
    Government of the people, by corporate executives, for corporate profits.
  105. Excellent Hardware Specs?? by nn5ks · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Colorful LED Indicator"
    Wow! Gosh!

    Nothing like a Knight Rider-style light thingy to get my money!

    --
    Forget the bells and whistles. Can it sing?

  106. Imagine a... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... grid of these. duh!

  107. I had one for over a year by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    > And finally, they don't seem to be vaporware!

    I live in Europe, I bought my Yopy3000 for over a year? Weres the reality check in Slashdot stories, Yopy has NEVER been vaporware!

  108. StrongArm going obsolete by AlecC · · Score: 2, Informative

    I hope they have started on the design of the replacement - presumably XScale-based. We have been told that the StrongArm is going unavaiable soon - some time like end summer.

    --
    Consciousness is an illusion caused by an excess of self consciousness.
  109. Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark by Lumpy · · Score: 1

    or the fact that you can pick up a SL-5500 zaurus for $199.00 most anywhere.

    yopy... cool idea, but cut the price in 1/2 for the same cash I can get a SL-5600 with twice the processor speed.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  110. This is new?? by ViXX0r · · Score: 3, Informative

    I dunno about all you, but I've had a YOPY 3000 for about a year now. It's in my pocket as we speak.

    The 3500 and 3700 models were announced before Christmas too...

    The sites have been available since I've gotten it, and they're released new versions of Linupy twice since I've had it.

    Check out www.yopydeveloper.org. Many useful opensource downloads for the Yopy. Several of which I contributed (porting ogg123, for example :). Also lots of tips, tricks, and help.

    It's a pretty decent platform.

    --
    University - a box of academia nuts.
  111. Size Matters by gibbonboy · · Score: 3, Funny

    And with its "Fashionable Slim Size", I could use it to keep my truck from rolling down the driveway. I certainly wouldn't want to wear the thing all day, esp. with the LAN card hanging out to catch on things.

    --
    "Never pet a burning dog."
  112. Excuse me... by Mr2cents · · Score: 1

    ... you forgot to dream about USB memory sticks. If those could work together with a PDA, that would be cool!

    --
    "It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton LaVey
  113. Your Cli� link is broken by doc_traig · · Score: 1

    Which model were you referring to?

    --
    So long, michael. Don't let the door hit you...
  114. Um, did I miss the point... by Epsillon · · Score: 1

    ...or is this supposed to be something cool for the Linux/OSS world? If so, why does a precusrory glance at the download page yield only Windows .zip files? Does this machine connect to and communicate with a Linux desktop? Even more important (from my POV) is would it do the same on a FreeBSD box?

    Don't get me wrong, they look really cool, but these are, IMO, the machine's main selling points. If they lack support in this area, you might as well forget it because there's going to be some very disappointed geeks out there. I would hate to think that these little PDAs are using Linux as a way of keeping the OS costs down, whilst at the same time neglecting the the very people who make it possible for them to do this.

    I hope I'm wrong...

    --
    Resistance is futile. Reactance buggers it up.
    1. Re:Um, did I miss the point... by ViXX0r · · Score: 1

      At least on my version of the Linupy OS, the PDA hosts it's own webserver which you connect to using the usb-net module (part of the standard linux kernel)

      you get a usb0 ethernet device, assign both devices an IP on the same subnet and you're in business.

      Connect to the Yopy IP and your interface to upload/download files, add/delete contacts and schedule items is right there in your favorite browser.

      No good way to sync addresses/scheduled items with a local software yet, but I'm sure it'll get worked out.

      --
      University - a box of academia nuts.
    2. Re:Um, did I miss the point... by Epsillon · · Score: 1

      Ah, so it's not quite as bad as I thought. I wonder if it does work with *BSD? Anybody know? Some USB net interfaces are supported in the FreeBSD 5.0-RELEASE.

      --
      Resistance is futile. Reactance buggers it up.
  115. Yopy's website by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It was horrible. The text looked simply awful in Mozilla and appeared overtop of the images. It was difficult to read and looked like a child created it.

  116. Yes, Sony is selling them now. by Thag · · Score: 1

    Go to Dynamism.com and check out the Sony PCG-U101!

    Jon Acheson

    --
    All opinions expressed herein are my own, and not those of my employers, who are appalled.
  117. Re:The Zaurus software is so-so? No, it's rubbish. by Bloodshot · · Score: 1

    I just bought a Zaurus 5500 on eBay and are waiting for it to be shipped up to me, but I have been scouting around on the net about it.

    The first task for me will to be to get a CF memory card and install Open Zaurus and Opie on my Zaurus and get rid of QTopia, which is good but the Opie/OpenZaurus combo turns the Zaurus into something that I think fits my needs.

    I realize that I am not a normal user, so the QTopia environment and standard applications need to be improved so they can compete with everything else.

  118. Re:The Zaurus software is so-so? No, it's rubbish. by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1
    Psion/Epoc based machines (Series 5, Revo) are *faster*, have all of the above functionality with a significantly lower hardware profile (8Mb RAM, 18MHz cpu).

    You're really almost comparing apples to oranges here. I used to own a Psion Revo+, and now I have a Zaurus 5500, so I know exactly what I'm talking about. The EPOC OS is probably the most polished, stable OS I've ever used. The pim apps were great. That said, the Psions you're taling about never had anything close to the functionality of the Z.

    • The Z can handle real Word and Excel files, the Psions can not. They must be converted.
    • The Psions simply do not have the CPU power to play MP3s, let alone DIVX movies.
    • There is a ROM update for the Z which fixes some of the things you're talking about (like the documents tab). You are clearly using the older ROM version.
    • On top of all this... I have to back it up to MMC card twice per day because it's not reliable.
      This is probably the double reset bug. Install the safeboot ipk. Now that I've done so, I have yet to expecience data loss and it's been months.
    The Z can simply do more, but its OS is nowhere near as polished.
    --
    Life is too short to proofread.
  119. Re:Yoppy is not a good name. by f0rt0r · · Score: 1

    No, after looking at its price, I think "Yuppy" is more appropriate.

    --
    I can't afford a sig!
  120. Funny you should mention blurry screens... by default+luser · · Score: 1

    The Palm III and the Palm IIIe were the last in Palm's lineup to use the older generation of LCD screens.

    The newer generation of LCD screens, used on all non-color Handspring PDAs and all more recent Palm PDAs, has higher contrast and better response times. The image produced is sharper.

    Of course, this BLOKE you speak of could have been just like the dozens of idiots who destroyed their screen's protective coating through heavy use. Any screen with a damaged coating is gonna look damn blurry.

    --

    Man is the animal that laughs.
    And occasionally whores for Karma.

    1. Re:Funny you should mention blurry screens... by goon · · Score: 1

      all non-color Handspring PDAs and all more recent Palm PDAs, has higher contrast and better response times.

      you learn something new every day. I didn't know this. Yeah the screen probably was scratched but it was a lot newer than my palm. Thanks for the comment.

      --
      peterrenshaw ~ Another Scrappy Startup
  121. Mobile phone CF card anyone? by haraldm · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Now if someone had a CF2 sized mobile phone card and the docs to write a driver, I could actually trash my Treo... any hints are appreciated :-))

    --
    open (SIG, "</dev/zero"); $sig = <SIG>; close SIG;
  122. I think I like the upcoming Zaurus better. by WyrdOne · · Score: 0

    I think I like the upcoming Zaurus better.

    It uses a similar design to the Yopy but is MUCH mroe functional.

    Here is the japanese site (in english..sort of):
    http://ezaurus.com/index.html
    http://ezauru s.com/lineup/sl/slc760/slc760_spec.ht ml

    I like it's fold around style that allows you to have the screen in "widescreen" mode which is much more compliant for websites and writing text. It also closes with a clamshell like design that protects the screen. And the keyboard buttons are MUCH easier to use than the current gen Zaurus's and Clie's.

    The new SLC-760 come with 128MB of ROM and 64MB of Ram and uses the newer XScale processor. Has SDCARD/MMC-Card and Compact Flash slots.

  123. Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark by RevAaron · · Score: 1

    cool idea, but cut the price in 1/2 for the same cash I can get a SL-5600 with twice the processor speed.

    You were correct in saying that you can get a SL-5500 for $200. However, you cannot get a SL-5600 for $200. They are quite a bit more expensive. Most places still have it for $500, although you can get it a little cheaper elsewhere.

    Also, the 400 MHz XScale PXA250 found in the SL-5600 isn't twice as fast as the 206 MHz StrongARM in the SL-5500, the Yopy, or the iPAQ 3x00. Please read some of the stuff around before you go around making such blantantly incorrect statements. The PXA250 at 400 MHz is about the *same* speed as a SA-1100 at 206 MHz, on Linux *and* Windows CE. With the SL-5600, you pay more than twice as much than the SL-5500 for a better RAM config, better battery life (though the XScale, which uses less battery life and a bigger battery) and a bigger number on the CPU speed.

    The Zaurus is also a cool idea that just hasn't worked out. Most anyone who has used another PDA for anything other than showing off at a LUG meeting finds the Zaurus to be very lacking in software. The built-in PIM apps suck, there is no real HWR (and the char recog is slower than molasses), the screen is utterly unacceptable (on the SL-5x00 models), and the battery life on the 5500 is utter shite. But it's Linux, and that seems to be enough for some people. Call me crazy, but I gave up on liking something only because it was Linux a long time ago, but I'll happily use it on the PDA again when it doesn't suck so bad.

    --

    Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
  124. More RAM, but X negates that advantage by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ok... it has more RAM. It also runs the X, totally negating the extra RAM.

  125. Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I agree, i picked every device that was linux and stopped doing it altogether. remember the yopy developer, the agenda developer and all of them were real sucky ............

  126. That's some chip you've got on your shoulder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wow. I don't think anything is the end-all, be-all for handhelds. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. I don't really see how you think one machine can be either. But thanks for reminding us that there are hardcore MS zealots out there too!
    Now all that's missing is the Newton zealot post :-)

  127. Touch Screen not mentioned in spec? by loren · · Score: 1

    I was really disappointed to not see a touch screen mentioned in the spec. I did eventually found out it came with a stylus which practically implies it has a touch screen, but I found this very confusing. I, of course, think a PDA without a touch screen is rather useless.

    --

    Loren Osborn

    Software isn't software without source code. -- NASA
  128. Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark by aminorex · · Score: 1

    It's not that it's Linux -- I could care less
    about that. It's that it's open source.

    --
    -I like my women like I like my tea: green-
  129. Thats nothing compared to this! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This one time some stuff happened, and then some more stuff happened, and this guy was like, YEAH!