These "embedded" devices like the Yopy and
Ipaq are actually running standard linux distributions that are tweaked for the ARM
processors. It is not an embedded linux any more
than my Linux Desktop.
Linux's strength is the ease with which it can
be ported to new targets. As mentioned in another post,
it is open source and can be debugged easier than Windows CE.
Yopy, Ipaq, and PalmPilots are not tough embedded
environments. They are usually dealing with a user
not a demanding RF interface like a cellular protocol.
As such, they can provide lots of nice
user level apps and GUI's but I wouldn't want
Linux running my cellular air interface.
Linux solves most "real-time" issues by using smart peripherals,
big buffers, DMA and fast processors.
The memory size, processor speed, and those color
displays all consume lots of battery power; hence
the relatively low battery life. Maybe this is
a factor in why there are so few products on the
market, but lots of "concept" products.
These concept products keep the big players on the
leading edge and give them bragging rights. If a
serious market developes with a high enough volume
the big players have a concept they can turn into
a real product. If a market does not develope
at least they got some cool press and the cool image may assist in
selling other products.
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These "embedded" devices like the Yopy and
Ipaq are actually running standard linux distributions that are tweaked for the ARM
processors. It is not an embedded linux any more
than my Linux Desktop.
Linux's strength is the ease with which it can
be ported to new targets. As mentioned in another post,
it is open source and can be debugged easier than Windows CE.
Yopy, Ipaq, and PalmPilots are not tough embedded
environments. They are usually dealing with a user
not a demanding RF interface like a cellular protocol.
As such, they can provide lots of nice
user level apps and GUI's but I wouldn't want
Linux running my cellular air interface.
Linux solves most "real-time" issues by using smart peripherals,
big buffers, DMA and fast processors.
The memory size, processor speed, and those color
displays all consume lots of battery power; hence
the relatively low battery life. Maybe this is
a factor in why there are so few products on the
market, but lots of "concept" products.
These concept products keep the big players on the
leading edge and give them bragging rights. If a
serious market developes with a high enough volume
the big players have a concept they can turn into
a real product. If a market does not develope
at least they got some cool press and the cool image may assist in
selling other products.