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Motorola Readies Music-oriented Linux Mobile Phone

Posted by simoniker on from the camera-action dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Motorola has announced several new multimedia-enabled mobile phones supporting music and video playback, including one new device based on embedded Linux, according to LinuxDevices.com. The Linux-based Motorola E680 could see US distribution, making it the first of Motorola's Linux-based mobile phones available outside the far East. The E680 will include multimedia playback software supporting a variety of formats, including MP3 audio, MPEG4 video, and RealPlayer multimedia content." The article notes: "Motorola's previous Linux-based phones have been based on MontaVista Linux, and have used the Qt/Embedded graphical application framework."

5 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. Changing my mind on all-in-one devices.. by xxx_Birdman_xxx · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I used to be a little against devices trying to do everything, due to poor battery life, size etc... But now that battery life is much better than it used to be, a device similar to this one could end up being perfect for someone like me:
    A uni student who does a lot of travelling, listens to tons of music, and normally walks around with a diskman in one pocket, a backpack with a large diary and a mobile on my belt.

    Running for the bus with crap flying out of your pockets or flinging around, hitting you in the privates is not a good way to start the day..
    -Ryan

    --
    Live in your skin. Keep changing the scenery.
  2. Re:GPL issues by The+Wicked+Priest · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Just distributing the firmware to customers, as part of the phone, is enough to invoke the GPL. But your question -- forgive me if I'm misinterpreting -- seems to be assuming something not in evidence: that this will somehow be a problem, or that Motorola isn't intending to comply with the GPL.

    Of course, there may also be (and probably will be) non-GPL'd apps running on this Linux base. I don't expect to see a truly "open phone". But (at least until the event) I'm not expecting GPL violations, either.

    --
    Share and Enjoy: 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
  3. iPod replacement? by Talez · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Unless a 15G SD card suddenly becomes cheaper than $299 minus the price of this phone I don't really see this phone being an iPod replacement.

  4. Re:A question for the embedded geeks.. by turgid · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Because as hardware continues to become more powerful, one day you'll have a multi-user server and workstation, with database, compiler suite, web server, application server, all the bells and whistles, in your pocket. That's why. And if the hardware's already powerful enough to run the kernel without breaking into a sweat, what's the point in developing your own proprietary, cut-down offering?

    --
    Stick Men
  5. who needs it? by timerider · · Score: 4, Insightful

    i mean, who really needs a phone that can do so much more than making phone calls?