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Motorola Launches A760 Linux and Java Smartphone
securitas writes "Motorola launched its A760 Linux and Java smartphone in China today. The dual-mode GSM/GPRS phone uses a version of MontaVista Linux, Motorola's i250 chip for communications, Intel's 200 MHz PXA262 chip (based on the XScale PXA250) for computing with 256 MB RAM, and software that includes a personal information management application, digital camera, a video player, MP3 music player, and an instant-messaging tool. The A760 is the first of Motorola's Linux-based phones. Eventually Motorola plans to use Linux in most of its phones."
I find it odd that Motorola, a maker of embedded microprocessors, would go with an Intel chip.
There ain't no rules here; we're trying to accomplish something.
There are some pictures here.
The transparent window to let you see the screen when the clamshell is closed is a nice touch, but it's following the latest phone trend of looking like it's eaten too many pies. When will someone produce a phone styled like the iPod with it's slick square-with-rounded-corners look?
I wonder if you can telnet in from the serial port/data link port, install a VNC server and then have all your phone controlls on your desktop? Would be a big improvement over fiddly little buttons - mind you in the photo it doesn't seem to have numeric buttons, but rather use some kind of touch screen controls as well as a D pad.
Beep beep.
I find the proliferation of Linux-based devices interesting. It would seem to suggest a growing base of devices that will attract application developers and create more reasons for both users and platform manufacturers to adopt Linux.
But I wonder if a common kernel is sufficient from the perspective of the end-user. In particular, I wonder how compatible the various flavors of Linux are when it comes to GUI-based applications that most people want to use. Unless all these various devices can run some common GUI, most of the real applications that people want to use will will be impossible to port between all these devices or hard to use if they get ported but use different interface guidelines.
Perhaps the volume of devices running Linux is less important than the volume of devices running a standardized UI layer and set of interface guidelines on Linux.
Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.
Ouch!
May be when it comes to $300 or so, I will consider.
What in the world are you talking about? Nowhere does this say it supports GPS in any way. I read the article, the post, and searched on Google. If you are thinking GPRS, that is 100% a completely different thing.
GPRS info
Info about the A760, which says no GPS at all (not even the unusable e911 gps locator used in some phones for emergency use only).
IANAL, but I play one on
I said they pulled the press release and forgot a swedish version on the server. What part of that don't you understand?
Believing the MS's mobile initiative to be dead is dangerous and way wrong.
Only dangerous for Microsoft. Without the "it's going to be THE STANDARD" - bonus, they don't have a chance.
Microsofts problem has partly been their technology - now polished - but more problematic was their lack of support amongst mobile tech producers.
I disagree on the first part (MS has still to show that they can actually put out a working smartphone solution) but you are correct on the second part: They lack support - again because everybody (rightly) believes that MS-smartphones are dead. It's a self-fullfilling prophecy. No support -> Everybody believes it's dead -> even less support -> It is dead.
A well reputed company like Motorola turning to Windows is exactly what they needed.
You don't find it ironic if you type that line in a story about a REAL EXISTING **LINUX** smartphone while there is nothing but hot air and vapor about MS-smartphones from Motorola?
Face it: MS-smartphones are dead. Symbian is the standard and has the advantages of being established (you get tons of programs, support and all formats are working), Linux has the advantage of being royalty-free and source-free, Microsoft has no advantages: It comes with royalties like Symbian and is as badly established as Linux. And on top you get the additional disadvantage that it's price and existance is uncertain. (Symbian is controlled by a consortium, not a single firm)
As interesting as the A760 might be, Linux is a complete outsider in mobile technology.
Just like Windows. But it's royalty free.
No wonder Motorola loudly bet on the safest horse.
You sure read too many Microsoft propaganda. With about 0% marketshare, Windows is no safety horse in cellphones, it's a risky technology that can dissappear anyday, just like:
Because of Microsoft marketing you think otherwise, but in the real world Microsoft has a long list of shutting down projects without warning.
If all you have is a swedish press-release, well then I'm really sorry for you and your beloved Windows-cellphones.