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AMD Demonstrates Linux-Based PDA at LinuxWorld

Posted by timothy on from the continuing-to-fail-to-fail dept.

Misha writes "AMD has demonstrated a new Linux-based handheld at LinuxWorld. The OpenPDA runs on low-power Alchemy chips, with support for USB, Ethernet, UARTS. Here is press release. Among the highlights are: A comprehensive Metrowerks suit as the basis of OpenPDA applications, Qt, Java, Opera browser."

7 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm. by James+A.+A.+Joyce · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This article reads like an advert to me, is packed with buzzwords and doesn't really give any details beyond that it'll be demonstrated at LinxuWorld, booth 647 today and tomorrow. Could those more informed than I enlighten me as to what advantages does this have over current portable Linux system? Or have insufficient details been released?

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    Bash script for FP whores

  2. Looks like a Zaurus, quacks like a Zaurus by RDPIII · · Score: 5, Insightful

    but doesn't use Intel components. The description of the software components is strikingly similar to that of the Sharp Zaurus 5x00 series. If it's cheaper than the Zaurus, I might consider buying one. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to include some of the hardware that's not standardly available on the Zaurus, most importantly 802.11b. What a shame.

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    Marklar: marklar
  3. An embedded processor NOT based on ARM core... by cesarcardoso · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...is a proof of courage, silliness or both nowadays, and I personally hope it's a proof of courage. Go AMD!

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    Cesar Cardoso can be found at cesar at zyakannazio dot eti dot br (or at least I believe so)
  4. No devices, just a reference design and dev kit. by WoTG · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Like a couple others have already posted, there is no actual product being launched for the end user! This seems to provide a good reference platform and development tools for groups looking to create their own non-Palm, non-MS handhelds. If no manufacturers pick up the designs, we may never see this "OpenPDA" platform in use. On the other hand, if just a handful of firms decide to base a product on the platform, we might see a standardized Linux based palm top platform develop to compete with Palm and MS PocketPC.

    I've never seen a Zaurus first hand, so I have no idea how it compares to "OpenPDA" in the grand scheme of things...

  5. handheld storage by sentientbeing · · Score: 1, Insightful

    technology overkill if you ask me. Ive got a handheld organiser which is space efficient, competitively priced, theoretically infinite storage, its components recycle well, and it uses minimum power. Its not quite multimedia but I use it for all the killer apps -- address book, organiser, calendar and diary.
    Its called a sheet of paper.

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    beware he who would deny you access to information, for in his mind he dreams himself your master
  6. Re:SCO adds $32 to the price... by Istealmymusic · · Score: 2, Insightful

    You don't think so?

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    "The lesson to be learned is not to take the comments on slashdot too literally." --Vinnie Falco, BearShare
  7. Re:PDA Power by Trelane · · Score: 2, Insightful

    make my calculations faster. Seriously. I can already do numerical stuff on my Zaurus via QPlot (and Calculon and Formulae 1, in the near future), but the Z's ARM chip lacks a floating point unit and is generally a slower chip than is current (is a Z SL 5500). More power is always welcome in my PDA. While my desktop and the group's cluster are for more intense stuff, I really like having the Z around to do a quick plot or if my desktop is far away and I need to do some numerical stuff.

    Now, the probability of me feeling a woman's breast is for me to know and you to, well, not know. ;)

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    Given enough personal experience, all stereotypes are shallow.