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Nokia bring out Linux Cellphone/TV/Browser

Posted by Hemos on from the fun-with-new-technology dept.

Matt Booth writes "New Scientist has an article about a new cellphone from Nokia which is also a digital TV and web browser. It runs linux, and apparently it won't be available in the States because of the poor Digital TV standard there. " Cursed am I!

2 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. This reminds me of railroads by konstant · · Score: 3

    I don't pretend to understand the relative merits of DSB and 8-VSB, but the fuss over selecting a standard reminds me of the difficulties people in the 19th century had with railroad gauges.

    During the last century (well, I suppose it was nearly two centuries ago now...) when railroad was the primary means of transporting goods, Russia pulled a similar egotistical maneuver and selected a railroad "gauge" or width (12?) that was inconsistent with the gauge gaining acceptance in neigboring Europe (8?). As a consequence, when trains passed the Western Russian boarder, all the passengers and contents had to be humped out, placed in another train, and sent on their way. Needless to say this retarded commerce between Russia and Europe.

    Now information, not gold or even dollars, is becoming the crucial international currency and nations are building their information infrastructure. If nationalism entices us or any other country down the same path as the Russians, they will quickly learn their mistake. Devices built in adherence to the de facto standard will suddenly cease to function the moment they enter the rogue country. This will be far more inconvenient - and costly - than converting between Standard and Metric.

    Let's not forget when advocating standards that common usage is an important factor, and that the world isn't limited by the San Andreas and the Potomac!


    -konstant

    --
    -konstant
    Yes! We are all individuals! I'm not!
  2. I've been waiting for this for years by Paul+Crowley · · Score: 3
    I've been waiting for at least two years for the Linux cellphone/PDA to become available. Here's the device I want:
    • Personal organiser sofware a la my Pilot
    • Cellphone (preferably dual band)
    • Internet comms over the cellphone
    • Real hard drive, perh. StrongArm processor
    • IRDA port, maybe Bluetooth
    • Runs Linux and 100% open source software (of course!


    And there's my PDA, phone, watch, and many other things I need. If I had such a thing, I might even leave the house from time to time!
    --

    --
    Xenu loves you!