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YOPY Arrives

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the results-of-death-greatly-exaggerated dept.

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!"

15 of 266 comments (clear)

  1. 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 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
    2. 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.

  2. 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.

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

    It costs more, it must be better, right?

  4. 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?

  5. 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 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.
  6. 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...)
  7. Killer App by appleLaserWriter · · Score: 5, Insightful

    MAME

  8. 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.
  9. Re:heck by zapod4 · · Score: 3, Insightful

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

  10. 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.
  11. 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).

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  12. 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 ...