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Cherrypal Mini-Laptop Now Runs Android

Posted by kdawson on from the what-you-can-actually-build-for-a-hundred-bucks dept.

kriston writes in about a new development with the Cherrypal mini laptop, which we discussed last December. "The Cherrypal Asia laptop is now shipping with Google Android installed (product page). This replaces the older Cherrypal Asia mini laptops that were running either Windows CE or a custom Linux. The $148 version has a 1024x600 screen while the sub-$100 model runs 800x480. Both laptops run the ARM9-based VIA 8505 SoIC platform at 533 MHz with 256 megabytes of RAM and 2 gigabytes of NAND flash. I'm looking forward to seeing how Android can squeeze more throughput out of the VIA 8505, since Windows CE didn't do such a great job on the original Cherrypal Asia."

97 comments

  1. A no-thrills laptop by abigor · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The $118.00 Cherrypal Africa (Windows CE), seven inches no-thrills laptop for Internet browsing.

    1. Re:A no-thrills laptop by Rallias+Ubernerd · · Score: 2, Funny

      It runs java, unlike the iPad.

    2. Re:A no-thrills laptop by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But there is no annoying commercial for it with hip music telling me I must have it that interrupts my Lost-watching time, so I'm out.

    3. Re:A no-thrills laptop by abigor · · Score: 1

      Hey, I took that quote from the website. Come on, a no-thrills laptop? Talk about truth in advertising.

    4. Re:A no-thrills laptop by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, Android runs VAJINA (Virtual Android Java In Name Alone) - a Java that is syntactically compatible with the Java spec, but which generates an incompatible object format. Perhaps the language should be renamed "GAVA" to make the acronym more appropriate?

    5. Re:A no-thrills laptop by NeuroManson · · Score: 1

      And... (shifty eyes) Flash? I'm sold!

      --
      Just because you can mod me down, doesn't mean you're right. Shoes for industry!
    6. Re:A no-thrills laptop by psergiu · · Score: 1

      The $118.00 Cherrypal Africa (Windows CE), seven inches no-thrills scam for whoever is stupid enough to send them their money.

      Come-on slashdot - I know you run infomercials - is the crysis that deep that you had to resort to promoting scams now ?

      http://slashdot.org/submission/1154900/CherryPals-99-netbook-scam

      --
      1% APY, No fees, Online Bank https://captl1.co/2uIErYq Don't let your $$$ sit in a no-interest acct.
  2. flexible specs by naz404 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    AFAIK, Cherrypal delivers different kinds of laptops at different times.

    What's advertised on their website is the *minimum* specs that they guarantee you'll get. This means, when the unit actually ships to you, you can get a machine with specs actually higher than what was advertised on their site.

    From what I've heard, Cherrypal basically shops around for different parts/configs that they can get at a particular time, then they build machines out of those assorted parts -- that's why customers will get different kinds of machines with varying specs.

    --
    http://www.object404.com
    1. Re:flexible specs by rickb928 · · Score: 1

      That's going to make warranty (and non-warranty) repairs quite interesting.

      Or 'impossible', depending on the spares stock and turnaround time.

      Still, for something less than the cost of a iPod Nano, pretty cool. I may need one of these. Sure hs a better keyboard than the Nano.

      --
      deleting the extra space after periods so i can stay relevant, yeah.
    2. Re:flexible specs by PaintyThePirate · · Score: 1

      From what I've heard, those are the best case specs. http://lists.laptop.org/pipermail/devel/2010-May/028512.html

      --
      eclecti.cc
    3. Re:flexible specs by yotto · · Score: 1

      At some point (and I think $100 is below that point, at least for me) you don't worry about warranty.

      I'd personally be happy that my 533MHz $98 laptop turns out to actually be in the 700MHz range instead. Not that I'm looking for at sub-1GHz laptop but if I was, I would seriously look at this.

      --
      Pulp Audio Weekly - Geek News and Reviews
  3. Android IS a custom Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I thought Android IS a custom Linux, no?

    1. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by NNKK · · Score: 1

      Uh, no.

      Android is used in many devices by many companies. The version used on any particular device may be customized somewhat for that device, but the Android platform as a whole is not a "custom" anything anymore than Red Hat is a "custom Linux".

    2. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by quantumplacet · · Score: 3, Informative

      actually, considering Android has made kernel changes that have not been merged upstream, I would consider it a "custom linux".

    3. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by NNKK · · Score: 1

      Apparently, then, you consider Apache to simply be a custom version of NCSA HTTPd.

    4. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by ducomputergeek · · Score: 2, Funny

      But most people don't care. We ship on openSuSE & SLED, primarily because that is the only distro that I've been able to run as a desktop consistently for a decade now with the fewest problems. Plus our larger customers can always get enterprise support from Novell if they want it.

      But when we're dealing with smaller customers and I tell them that we ship openSuSE they'll ask, "Well I want that Ubuntu." and are often confused or don't believe that there is not much difference between openSuSE Linux and Ubuntu, both are still Linux. At first I tried the ice cream analogy, but now I've found one that works better: the GM analogy. And it should be popular here on Slashdot because it's cars.

      The GM Analogy:

      Me: "You know how you how a Chevy Pick up and and a GMC Pick up are the same truck with a different Grill?"
      Customer: "Yeah."
      Me: "Same thing. Ubuntu and SuSE are both linux, just with different grills."
      Customer: "Oh, okay. I get it."

      --
      "The problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money" - Thatcher.
    5. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by quantumplacet · · Score: 3, Interesting

      what the hell are you talking about? you said android is just linux, not custom linux. i pointed out that it is somewhat customized, and now (i think) you're claiming that android is NOT linux if i follow your horrendous analogy. wouldn't that refute your original point more than my response?

      either way the analogy is absolutely atrocious, since the situations could not be more different. android is currently a customized version of the kernel, which still takes in new changes from upstream but is not merging all of it's changes back. apache took over for ncsa httpd since it was being abandoned by ncsa, so there was nowhere to merge back up to and nothing to get new changes from.

    6. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How about "custom Linux-based operating system" then? That accurate enough for you? Because that's what it is. It's still a Linux-based OS, just like Red Hat, Ubuntu, Debian, etc... Android is quite a bit different from most, but it still is what it is. And if you're actually being really anal and using "Linux" to refer to the kernel (which is accurate, but still really anal), then it definitely is a "custom Linux", just like most. Most distributions make their own changes to the kernel. How is that not "custom Linux", even at that most anal, pedantic level?

    7. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 4, Funny

      Me: "You know how you how a Chevy Pick up and and a GMC Pick up are the same truck with a different Grill?" Customer: "Yeah." Me: "Same thing. Ubuntu and SuSE are both linux, just with different grills." Customer: "Oh, okay. I get it."

      You are an idiot, point blank.

      The reality is more like comparing a Chevy pickup with a V8 engine, RWD, a 6 CD changer, and a touch-screen sat-nav... versus a GMC pickup with a V8 engine, a turbocharger, bigger exhaust, AWD, a CD player with MP3 DVD support, a sat-nav with console button controls, leather seats, and a hauling capacity 5000 pounds higher. One gets more fuel mileage, one is a better hauler. One has a 6 CD changer, one can be loaded with a fuckload of MP3s on a DVD. The satnav interfaces are different, one might update OTA and one by DVD.

      They're both GM pickups with the same engine though...

      --
      Support my political activism on Patreon.
    8. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by quantumplacet · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      jEsUs FuCkInG cHrIsT AdMiT yOu'Re WrOnG rAtHeR tHaN mAkE aN oBnOxIoUs Ac PoSt AbOuT sOmEtHiNg IrReLaVaNt. FoR tHe ReCoRd I kNoW hOw To UsE tHe ShIfT kEy QuItE wElL, i'M jUsT lAzY. iF yOu AcTuAlLy CaN't ReAd AlL lOwErCaSe YoU'rE a FuCkInG mOrOn.

    9. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, Android runs Java over a custom Linux core. Significantly different.

      What I really want to see is an x86 CherryPal laptop *with no installed OS* so I can load up my favorite distro. One of the CherryPal $118 units without the Windows XP (and the unnecessary added cost of a license) would suit me *just fine* Are you listening, Max Seybold?

    10. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Absolutely. The first thing I do on a new Android device after rooting is install a full Debian userland. And it always works 100 percent. As long as that is the case, Android is Linux.

    11. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by Bill,+Shooter+of+Bul · · Score: 1

      And much like the typical consumer, I would respond to that: I don't care about that crap, 99% of it is the same. They are the same trucks. The only important difference is the gas mileage vs hauling capacity, the rest is all grill.

      --
      Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
    12. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by quantumplacet · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Exactly, who cares about gas mileage or hauling capacity when buying a truck, everyone knows that the grill is the most important factor.

    13. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I see you are a truck owner.

    14. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by NNKK · · Score: 0, Troll

      Wow, you sure know how to encourage intelligent conversation. Act like a jackass who can't even tell who he's responding to.

      Fuck off.

    15. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by azmodean+1 · · Score: 1

      Actually yes, the Android platform is a *very* customized Linux, the userspace for it is completely Google's invention, they basically took just the kernel and went from there. And as the other poster mentions, they made quite a lot of changes to the kernel as well. I think it would be fair to say that Android is the most extensive Linux fork to date, though they are at least trying to re-merge the kernel-level stuff.

      Distributions such as Red Hat, Debian, etc... make changes around the periphery, but they keep their customizations to a minimal level where you can still build at least somewhat portable applications. Android threw this out completely, if you want to port an application from a Linux-based distribution to Android, you'll have a rather large porting effort ahead of you as the most fundamental system libraries were replaced.

      To be clear, I'm not attacking Google here. They seem to be working pretty diligently to try and re-merge at least the kernel stuff. On the other hand, as a Linux developer, I'm not particularly interested in trying to learn their platform for development, I'm far more interested in the phone/portable environments that maintain userspace compatibility with the Linux ecosystem.

    16. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by metamatic · · Score: 1

      We ship on openSuSE [...] the only distro that I've been able to run as a desktop consistently for a decade now with the fewest problems

      Holy crap, talk about a case of "Your mileage may vary".

      I'm in the process of eliminating the last few OpenSuSE machines I have to worry about, because of the pain they've put me through.

      --
      GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
    17. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 1

      The entire drivetrain is different, and the engine has different intake and exhaust manifolds and vastly different response characteristics. The suspension is different-- the front end is powered with a differential, rather than just independent MacPherson struts.

      Most importantly, you cannot slap parts in from one or the other. An Eagle Talon will easily accept Mitsubishi Eclipse parts from that year because they are the same car with different badging. Two trucks with the same engine, one with different intake/exhaust, with a different powertrain, different suspension, it's going to have a different transmission due to the powertrain too, these are different machines.

      You'll have no luck running Ubuntu packages on Redhat or SuSE. You'll have no luck installing VMWare for RHEL4 on the latest Ubuntu either, without manually building some stuff. Not working that way. SuSE is not RHEL or Ubuntu either.

      OpenSuSE's configuration utilities are different than Ubuntu's. If you know how to get OpenSuSE to join an active directory domain, you'll never get Ubuntu to do so, because the program to do so isn't the same program used in SuSE or RedHat; it's something called Likewise. If you, like me, run a local Ubuntu software repository (apt cacher) that prevents you from downloading the same packages 50 times to update all your machines, it won't work with OpenSuSE.

      I'd imagine if you had a fleet of trucks, you'd want them all relatively the same, or at least classed. Maybe this year you've decided to look for a new base vehicle to work from, with the intention to eventually upgrade your whole fleet.

      --
      Support my political activism on Patreon.
    18. Re:Android IS a custom Linux by Urkki · · Score: 1

      I thought Android IS a custom Linux, no?

      Depends on what you mean by "Linux". It runs a (custom) Linux kernel, but it's not a Linux Operating System in the sense that it can't run what most people would consider "regular Linux applications".

      Or to put it another way, If it doesn't quack like a penguin, it's not a penguin, not even if it has a transplanted penguin heart.

  4. Cherrypal website now useless by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Informative

    The link takes me to a login/register page, I registered, and still can't log in. From where I'm sitting, Cherrypal is solely a spam information harvesting site. No links to a "Cherrypal Asia" exist on the products page. Had to hit the google cache to get information. I have budget for another netbook and would consider one if only I could log in.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    1. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by snookerdoodle · · Score: 4, Informative

      If you click on the "Open Store" link at the top then the "Buy Now" link, you'll see a couple of versions of the Asia. You do not have to log in to do this - I didn't even create an account.

    2. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Insightful

      If I do that it sends me back to http://www.cherrypal.com/secure/login.php. I do not have scripts disabled.

      My basic feeling is that a company that can't make a website can't make a netbook either

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      The original link has the guy's session in it. http://www.cherrypal.com/secure/product_info.php?products_id=13 works

    4. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by Daengbo · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Umm. It's here. The website is a little amateurish, but it works. Maybe it's a PEBKAC problem?

      --
      Put identity in the browser.
    5. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      The original link has the guy's session in it. http://www.cherrypal.com/secure/product_info.php?products_id=13 works

      AC wins the prize, too bad we don't know where to send it. The specs list the SD slot as supporting 8GB, that makes no sense... But scares me away.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    6. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by alyawn · · Score: 1

      Actually, I had to go clear out a session cookie, which they set from the included sessionId in the link. After I cleared the cookie, I was able to see the product using this link: http://www.cherrypal.com/secure/product_info.php?products_id=13

    7. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 1

      Similarly, a company that can't make a truck can't make a piano either.

    8. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by kriston · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I don't know what to tell you. My session ID (expired) is indeed in the original link. The Slashdot editors didn't seem to have any problems with it.

      Kriston

      --

      Kriston

    9. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by kcbnac · · Score: 1

      As with most SDHC devices, they test with what's available when first manufactured - and list that. Probably would support 16GB and 32GB cards. (Nokia's N900 lists 16GB MicroSDHC card support, because that was all that was available at the time, as an example)

      I haven't heard of a device supporting *some* SDHC cards and not all...just what the manufacturer (of that part or the whole machine) has tested. Is possible though, but that should violate the SDHC spec...

    10. Re:Cherrypal website now useless by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      As with most SDHC devices, they test with what's available when first manufactured - and list that.

      16GB cards have been out for years and the OS on the machine almost certainly postdates the machine. Personally I'd have tested installing the OS on SD, and on the largest ones I could find.

      I think I will opt for one of these $130 android tablets on eBay as soon as I know they'll run Android newer than 1.6.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  5. Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by Fortunato_NC · · Score: 5, Informative

    Googling "Cherrypal fraud" may prove instructive, if you happen to find the time. Wasn't there a front-page story on these guys taking money for computers and never delivering them? Why more attention to these scam artists?

    --
    Blogging Weight Loss, Distance Education, and more at verlin.com
    1. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by Megaweapon · · Score: 4, Funny

      Nonsense, a scam would have been caught by the crack Slashdot editing staff. /sarc

      --
      I'm sure "SlashdotMedia" will improve on all the wonders that Dice Holdings blessed us all with
    2. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by alanw · · Score: 5, Informative

      The BBB report rates them only "F"

      http://sanjose.bbb.org/Business-Report/Cherrypal-1000000896

    3. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      kdawson is probably functionally illiterate.

    4. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by Rogerborg · · Score: 1
      A company run by a guy styling himself Max Seybold? How on earth could that not be trustworthy? You can't have a name like that without speaking about yourself in the 3rd person, having shoulders wide enough to land an F-18 on, and a jaw so square you could set your watch by it.

      What, that didn't make sense to you? Max Seybold says that's because you're not Max Seybold , punk.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    5. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wasn't there a front-page story on these guys taking money for computers and never delivering them? Why more attention to these scam artists?

      Exactly why I voted this down in Firehose. I guess I got out-voted or overruled by the editors, though. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother.

    6. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by alcmaeon · · Score: 1

      Well, see, the Cherrypal promises to make you an eternal fraud virgin. Every time you get your fraud cherry popped, your Cherrypal will put it back in. That's the promise of this new technology.

    7. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by orkysoft · · Score: 1

      Company Rating F
      Our opinion of what this rating means:
      We strongly question the company’s reliability for reasons such as that they have failed to respond to complaints, their advertising is grossly misleading, they are not in compliance with the law’s licensing or registration requirements, their complaints contain especially serious allegations, or the company’s industry is known for its fraudulent business practices.

      No, really?

      The Bing is the Thing! Runs XP, 13.3', the maxi laptop for the price of a mini.

      Cherrypal is dedicated to changing the world, one computer at a time. In this regard, we have three main values that we work hard to incorporate into our day-to-day dealings: being green, open and fair. We also believe that it’s crucial to bridge the “digital divide”, and make computers affordable for everyone. That’s why we’ve developed the most energy efficient, user-friendly and green laptop ever created – at the lowest price point the world has ever seen!

      Thanks to Cherrypal’s innovative design team, the Bing is the fastest and most affordable 13.3" laptop on the market today. Plus, it consumes less power than any other Intel Atom N280-based computer on earth. The Bing comes with Microsoft Windows XP Professional, all included.

      --

      I suffer from attention surplus disorder.
    8. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by Skal+Tura · · Score: 1

      To me they refunded due to CC handler issues without me having to request or anything, they simply did that a month later or so.

      --
      Pulsed Media Seedboxes
    9. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by nurb432 · · Score: 1

      I thought they sounded familiar..

      Would be nice to have a sub 150$ arm based netbook tho.. or a desktop.

      --
      ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    10. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by kriston · · Score: 1

      I ordered four times before I got my laptop but it was because of a couple of things. First there's very few people handling the orders. Second, there were supply problems from the original equipment manufacturers. Third, as a result of these, orders were delayed, and the sheer number of customers complaining to both Cherrypal and their credit card processor caused the credit card processor to drop the Cherrypal account. There was also some talk of hacking that also got another credit card processor to drop the account. They went through four of them since last December.

      By the way, I did get my laptop.

      Kriston

      --

      Kriston

    11. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Max agreed to cancel my order after 30 days of no-shipping.

      Max is a friendly guy, but I had to contact my credit card company to actually get me the refund because he stopped answering my emails.

      It took about 3 months in all - so I guess at least I helped fund the company for that period!

      I wonder if they have SSL working on their order site yet.

      I won't be be buying and I'll look with interest to see if anyone actually receives one.

    12. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by psergiu · · Score: 1

      I tried to order one in December 2009. They finally returned my money almost 2 months later ONLY AFTER i filled a fraud complaint with my bank. Before filling the complaint they ingored all my e-mails.

      And unfortunatelly i'm not the only one. A couple of friends tried to order and received the same treatment.

      Thank God i ordered using my Credit Card - the people who sent the money using Western Union never got them back.

      It's a scam and this article shoule be tagged as scam

      --
      1% APY, No fees, Online Bank https://captl1.co/2uIErYq Don't let your $$$ sit in a no-interest acct.
    13. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by psergiu · · Score: 1

      Fun Facts about Max Seybold:

      Under the nickname of "cherrypal" he edits the Wikipedia articles to remove or downplay all mentions about the scam.

      --
      1% APY, No fees, Online Bank https://captl1.co/2uIErYq Don't let your $$$ sit in a no-interest acct.
    14. Re:Wasn't this proved to be a scam? by kriston · · Score: 1

      It's not a scam. They were overwhelmed with orders and as a result they lost orders and order records back in December. This is very common for small businesses, but since this is a too-good-to-be-true-sounding cheap laptop people naturally reported it as a scam to the credit card processors and the BBB.

      Nobody lost any money, but those customers did get frustrated and did lose time, and for some people "time is money."

      As for Cherrypal, they should have used Amazon Fulfillment or some other fulfillment service.
      Now everyone on Slashdot hates them because they heard that some people paid for orders and didn't get their laptops. What they didn't hear is the follow-up story: all those people eventually got the laptops or got their money back.

      Kriston

      --

      Kriston

  6. We have been playing on these since a while by nextvolume · · Score: 3, Interesting

    We have been playing on these since a while... well, they're not exactly CherryPals, but they're totally compatible (after all the CherryPals are just stuff they get from Chinese factories with their logos on). And yes, they have a WonderMedia WM8505 processor. Here is our forum about this: http://tinyurl.com/easypc-forum And there is also a version of Linux running on the previous models by Cherrypal (for example the Africa) which has a VIA VT8500 instead of the WonderMedia WM8505 at http://tails92.sepwich.com/easypc_linux

    1. Re:We have been playing on these since a while by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      Since CherryPal seems to be dodgy at worst, and minimally talented rebadge guys at best, what is the preferred direct source for the WM8505 or VT8500 based devices?

      Is this an Alibaba, lots of 100+ thing?, Ebay?, Ebay and a bit of luck?, Dealextreme?

    2. Re:We have been playing on these since a while by nextvolume · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yes, most people who have these search an auction on Ebay and then bid. Most people who won the auctions received their netbooks fully working and without any problems. Sometimes they're also sold at local stores. In fact I bought one at a local store here. But keep in mind that the stock shops have usually isn't renewed when they run out, and so you have to buy it when you see it available.

    3. Re:We have been playing on these since a while by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Is there a matrix of success stories someplace? I see lots of ARM-based netbooks running WinCE on eBay, but I'm not sure which ones will work properly (i.e. all hardware supported and working well) with Linux.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    4. Re:We have been playing on these since a while by nextvolume · · Score: 2, Informative

      As long as it has a VIA VT8500 or WonderMedia WM8505, it should be all right. Do not get the ones with AKARM/Anyka processor as it is another system on chip (SoC) which has no public Linux port / not supported by Linux. Systems with Samsung ARM SoCs should have a Linux port as well but tend to cost slightly more. The Linux port for the VT8500 has no sound and wireless probably is not working, but apart from that, works very well (albeit with 2.6.10, which is a bit outdated). This is what I use on my netbook. There are sources on the internet, even if many drivers are only in object code format because they were not open sourced by VIA The port for the WM8505 is based around a 2.6.29 Android kernel, and has no public sources released for it, but it can run Debian well and from what I know also supports sound (I only have a VT8500, so I can't test it first hand) - wireless seems to work as well. Many will be WonderMedia WM8505 nowadays and less VIA VT8500 (it predates the WM8505, in fact) Just look out for AKARM or Anyka. If you see that don't buy if you want Linux (and you don't want to port it).

    5. Re:We have been playing on these since a while by BikeHelmet · · Score: 1

      eBay + Luck.

      I bid on twenty and won one for $80 shipped.

      But it was an AK7802 rather than WM8505, which means no linux or android currently available.

      The seller gave me a partial refund because of the mistake. Now I'm just waiting patiently for someone to figure out how to get another OS running.

      Anyka AK7802 forums: http://mininetbooks.your-board.com/

  7. um, Android is Linux by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 3, Funny

    Cherrypal, an obscure company that sells $99 netbooks, has dropped Linux in favor of Android in its bottom-shelf PC line.

    Soon we'll see companies dropping Linux in favor of MeeGo or Fedora or Ubuntu. Perhaps to be expected from a WinCE site.

    Anybody see the Coby NBPC722 Coby NBPC722 stateside yet?

    --
    My God, it's Full of Source!
    OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
    1. Re:um, Android is Linux by Imagix · · Score: 1

      Um, Fedora and Ubuntu are Linux as well. Haven't looked at MeeGo much, but offhand it looks like another Linux distro.

    2. Re:um, Android is Linux by Beyond_GoodandEvil · · Score: 2, Funny

      Um, Fedora and Ubuntu are Linux as well. Haven't looked at MeeGo much, but offhand it looks like another Linux distro.
      Whooooosh!

      --
      I laughed at the weak who considered themselves good because they lacked claws.
    3. Re:um, Android is Linux by Shompol · · Score: 1

      So is Android. He was being sarcastic.

    4. Re:um, Android is Linux by geekoid · · Score: 1

      Android is a linux derivative.

      Just so you know.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    5. Re:um, Android is Linux by naz404 · · Score: 1

      Just for those who don't know, MeeGo is the bastard child of Maemo Linux used on the Nokia N900 and Intel's MobLin.

      It is named after an alien named Meego played by Bronson Pinchot who used to be Balki Bartokomous on the TV show Perfect Strangers.

      --
      http://www.object404.com
    6. Re:um, Android is Linux by Rysc · · Score: 1

      To clarify, here "alien" is "immigrant" and not an alien like Robin Williams' Mork of Mork & Mindy.

      --
      I want my Cowboyneal
    7. Re:um, Android is Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dropping Linux for Ubuntu can't happen soon enough. Asus lost the netbook war by shipping some obscure OS just because it happened to be Linux.

    8. Re:um, Android is Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Android is a linux derivative.

      Just so you know.

      Tower - /squelch/ Jester this is tower.
      Jester - Go ahead over.
      Tower - Yeah, Jester we're going to need a second flyby over.
      Jester - Roger.

      WHOOSH

      Anyone got a wikipedia login they can use to expand the definition? It seems to be missing a reference to the fact that "whoosh" has long been used to indicate someone missed something.

    9. Re:um, Android is Linux by naz404 · · Score: 1

      uhhh... Meego is a 9,000-year-old shape-shifting alien from the planet "Marmazon 4.0". Well, I guess that falls under illegal alien. Should be quarantined too...

      --
      http://www.object404.com
  8. My Cherry 2000 doesn't run Android . . . by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 2, Funny

    . . . she is one! Make sure that you get one with the memory chip, because there are plenty of Cherry 2000's, but the chips are scarce.

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    1. Re:My Cherry 2000 doesn't run Android . . . by MonsterTrimble · · Score: 1

      That was a horrible, horrible movie. Melanie Griffith was hot and the mustang was cool, but it was BBBBAAAAADDDDD.

      Thanks for making me want to watch it again.

      --
      I call it 'The Aristocrats'
    2. Re:My Cherry 2000 doesn't run Android . . . by Capt.DrumkenBum · · Score: 1

      Thanks for reminding me of that great(Terrible) movie. I will be pulling out the DVD tonight.
      For those to lazy to search themselves:
      http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092746/

      --
      If I were God, wouldn't I protect my churches from acts of me?
    3. Re:My Cherry 2000 doesn't run Android . . . by oakgrove · · Score: 1

      Why fiddle with the dvd when you can watch it right now!

      --
      The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
    4. Re:My Cherry 2000 doesn't run Android . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are plenty of possible reasons. I could make a list, but if you can't think of some then you should really hand in your geek card now.

  9. Not a standard distro though by phorm · · Score: 1

    Android is linux-based, but that's somewhat like saying OSX is BSD. In many ways that is true, but in others it's an incomplete truth. I'd actually like it more if Android *did* use more of 'nix, but it appears to mainly be the kernel base and some tools. The graphic system doesn't seem to be X-based, and there are a lot of things added/removed compared to a standard linux Distro.

    Personally, I'd love it if my Droid did incorporate more of a standard linux desktop. For example,the GUI system doesn't seem to be X-based. It would be very nice so that it were because then I could perhaps run remote SSH apps, or things like an xmms2 client to control my music system, etc.

    1. Re:Not a standard distro though by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      Android is linux-based, but that's somewhat like saying OSX is BSD. In many ways that is true, but in others it's an incomplete truth. I'd actually like it more if Android *did* use more of 'nix, but it appears to mainly be the kernel base and some tools. The graphic system doesn't seem to be X-based, and there are a lot of things added/removed compared to a standard linux Distro.

      Android is an environment using the Linux kernel as its base. Android is everything above that, covering all of user space. There's really no "Unix" to speak of in it - the C library is a special custom written derivative (Bionic), which is really there only to support Dalvik and other support utilities (like wpasupplicant). This complete control of the environment lets Android do things that would be difficult otherwise, like running apps as separate users and giving a each a chroot-like environment. Other than the kernel, the Android environment has little in common with a standard Linux distribution. If you replaced the Windows kernel with the Linux one, you'd effectively have what Android is - a rewritten from the ground up environment whose only similarity with a standard Linux distro is the kernel.

      A more standard Linux environment would be things like Maemo and MeeGo.

      At least OS X keeps the more traditional Unix workalikes alive.

    2. Re:Not a standard distro though by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Android is an environment using the Linux kernel as its base. Android is everything above that, covering all of user space. There's really no "Unix" to speak of in it

      It really doesn't matter; once you have Linux you can run Debian in a CoLinux environment and avoid even having to worry about Android's libc, although the Android kernel might need a few changes — mostly turning features back on that they will have disabled. In fact, that might be a fun android app; you'd host it on the NDK and provide a terminal interface as a Java application, satisfying the Android app Java UI requirement. If you made it very very small, perhaps by starting with just libc, busybox, and the package manager, you might even be able to push it through the market. I know I'd pay a few bucks to conveniently get a contained Linux environment running on an Android device. If the options are "build it yourself", "go scrounge for it elsewhere", or "pay five bucks" I think you'll get a lot of buyers. Equally, you'll get a lot of scroungers, but who doesn't like free money? I suspect someone will do something like this for their own personal use sooner or later anyway.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:Not a standard distro though by catmistake · · Score: 1

      Android is linux-based, but that's somewhat like saying OSX is BSD. In many ways that is true, but in others it's an incomplete truth.

      um... what? I'm not sure where you get your information, but Mac OS X is BSD, as much as FreeBSD is BSD, as much as NetBSD is BSD, as much as DragonflyBSD is BSD. Less specifically, Mac OS X is UNIX

      Now, if you're gonna complain that OS X doesn't have a BSD kernel, then I'll take issue with it. Mach was developed to be used with BSD, so that a whole new OS wouldn't be necessary... it just "plugs-in," so to speak. Therefore, I suggest, even though there are OS's that are not BSD using the Mach kernel, the Mach kernel IS a BSD kernel. It is a replacement kernel for the BSD OS, thus, a BSD kernel (but not the original BSD kernel). btw, XNU, the kernel in question, has BSD code, and get's it's BSD code from FreeBSD (and, I'll bet, NetBSD).

      but the question remains, in the area where you believe that "it's a complete untruth" that OS X is BSD, can you explain what you're talking about? In what ways is it a complete untruth that Mac OS X is BSD?

      --
      The Admin and the Engineer
    4. Re:Not a standard distro though by oakgrove · · Score: 1

      I've been running Debian Lenny in a chroot on my G1 almost since I first got the phone and it has been working perfectly the whole time. I have the terminal app set to automatically initialize it whenever I click on it. Takes less than a second to set the mount points including a bind mount for the sdcard so I can access my data and get me going. For all intents and purposes, it may as well be native. If I were so inclined, I could even start a vncserver inside of it and run the chroot as a service and use GUI apps in the vnc client that I have on the phone side-stepping the whole lack of X issue.

      I use this practically everyday for a number of things like rtorrent, htop, vim, and others. Most specifically, I have some PHP and python scripts that have to run in tandem that won't work in the Android Scripting Environment and they work excellently in Debian. The only special requirements I see in making it happen is having a rooted phone with ext2.ko and the chroot binary. For anyone that could actually make real use of this, these should be trivial to accomplish. The only downside is I can't load the fuse module so encfs and sshfs don't work but I'll bet if I looked around long enough, I'd find something.

      At least for me, Android with these few modifications is just as much a Linux distro as anything else is.

      --
      The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
  10. Scampal? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Note that they are purportedly scam artists, see comments on this review:
    http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2357185,00.asp

    1. Re:Scampal? by psergiu · · Score: 1

      Yes they are.

      They have only one phone number listed on the site - an that number belongs to the sole emplyee of the company - Max Seybold - the CEO. He also answers to all the e-mail addresses listed in there. But not when you call/or e-mail to get your money back.

      And if you try to buy something from their store, your Credit Card will be charged by a online dating company from Hong Kong.

      --
      1% APY, No fees, Online Bank https://captl1.co/2uIErYq Don't let your $$$ sit in a no-interest acct.
  11. Fixed it for you by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 1

    Nonsense, a scam would have been caught by the on crack Slashdot editing staff. /sarc

    Preview, it is your friend.

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

  12. Capabilities by dandart · · Score: 1

    "533 MHz with 256 megabytes of RAM and 2 gigabytes of NAND flash" - should be enough to run a base Debian install with a browser and run Bibud on top of it. For the price, that could be a pretty nifty machine.

  13. What is the difference? by jDeepbeep · · Score: 1

    What is the difference between a "mini-laptop" and a "netbook?"

    --
    Reply to That ||
    1. Re:What is the difference? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      marketing.

    2. Re:What is the difference? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What is the difference between a "mini-laptop" and a "netbook?"

      Netbooks lack CD/DVD drives and have SSD hard drives. Mini Laptops often have CD/DVD drives and usually have regular laptop SATA drives.

  14. Is it just me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    or does the logo resemble a penis with two balls?

  15. Pickup line. by Tei · · Score: 2, Funny

    Do you want to see my netbook? is "a 7-inch bit of fun." (sic)

    --

    -Woof woof woof!

  16. Touch screen? by Doodman · · Score: 1

    If it doesn't have a touch screen, then I call "Fail!". Unless they've done a lot of work on the interface.

    I've installed Android x86 on a netbook and it is horrendous with out a touch screen.

    Android, since it's roots are for mobile phones, really wants to be touch driven. Without it, I'll pass.

  17. Instead of getting a useless gadget... by Antiocheian · · Score: 1

    ...and you are short on money, get a good 2nd hand laptop, such as an IBM T42:

    http://www.usanotebook.com/IBM_display_page.php

    or in Europe,

    http://www.thelaptopcentre.co.uk/cheap-laptops/ibm-t42-intel-centrino-17g-512mb-40gb-dvd-141tft-external-pcmcia-wireless-xp-pro.html

  18. Nice Logo by nixkuroi · · Score: 1

    I think their logo may win this year's Unintentionally Sexual Logo category.

  19. Scams are bad enough but ones this bad... by inameditchuck · · Score: 1

    I found myself turned on by the thought of an almost pocket sized, dirt cheap portable so I head over to the Cherrypal site... Being almost immediately struck by the illogic of the site's setup & functionality I used the Google machine to look up anything on Cherrypal there was... This is what I kept running into: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69600 For what its worth it changed my mind & I thought it couldn't hurt to share...

    1. Re:Scams are bad enough but ones this bad... by psergiu · · Score: 1

      Mod parent up Informative.

      I was one of the few ones who managed to get their money back from CherryPal.

      CherryPal is a scam.

      --
      1% APY, No fees, Online Bank https://captl1.co/2uIErYq Don't let your $$$ sit in a no-interest acct.