Linux Watch, IBM vs Palm, Palm got first, our turn. Options

[Ferret-Simpson]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B...0000594-2773202
http://palmtops.about.com/od/palmhardware/...silWristPDA.htm
http://www.research.ibm.com/trl/projects/ngm/wp10_e.htm

IBM are developing a linux watch, but not commercially. There is already a Palm watch of similar specifications. No-one seems to update the palm Linux ports anymore. . . not sure I really blame them, PalmOS rocks, but still. . . I would love to be able to run a bootstrap, or a complete shell-only distribution on my wrist. If you could get Micro-X or something else running, even better, but at least a shell, maybe with PPP over IRDA, too? and PPP over USB? But with touchscreen keyboard and screen support, at least. (Albeait a SMALL touch keyb, maybe with three scrollable panels, splitting the keyboard into several segments, with the jog dial to select different panels? I don't know, something, anyway.) When i get around to getting one, I'll try booting linux on it, but I don't think palm-linux works on the onboard screen. . Don;t you need a serial console at the moment?

But a damn good hack project!

[Da_Blitz]

Isnt this a couple of years old now?

[bjornkeizers]

Isnt this a couple of years old now?

It's old'ish yeah. In fact, Fossil has already killed off this and their SPOT watch line. I read it a few days ago on a watch forum I frequent. As a toy, it's pretty cool, but the battery life and usability sucks for a Palm, and as a watch its totally useless. Neat to play with, but not practical in any way.

[Ferret-Simpson]

It's actually NOT that bad. Mine came this morning, One of the new model, the AU5005. So far, the only thing I have a problem with is graffiti, but I suck at it anyway, so I use the keyboard. It runs every program I've tried, with the exception of the CLIE apps, which are hardware locked. . . :/ The display is easy enough to read ebooks on, and yes, Z4CK is loaded and displaying fine. XP Helps to have a teenagers eyes I guess. And It makes a great watch! It has "chic."

At some point tomorrow night I'm going to download all the data to Carter@RATT.org.uk and try out Palm Linux (Yes, I know it's mostly nonfunctional) just to see if it will boot. It's a good companion for my 5600, believe it or not.

[Da_Blitz]

Be great if it was bluetooth and could be used as an auxilaary keyboard and screen for mp3's

[rickh]

When this came out I *SO* wanted one. Until I actually sat down and thought about why. Mostly what I wanted was a way to check appointments, maybe get some news, weather, etc.

The IBM watch never materialized. That was too bad. There would have been a lot of development for it I think.

So about a year later, Fossil came out with a Wrist.Net watch (yeah, yeah - it's MSN driven). But it does everything I need, so I ended up getting that. Battery life sucked on it. Just like a cell phone. I needed to charge it every day.

Then, early last year, Swatch came out with their version of Wrist.Net and battery life drastically improved on their watches. I can go 5 days before I need to charge.

Anyway, it's not Palm or Linux, but it does what I want.

R.
==

[Ferret-Simpson]

well, in true geektechnique.org style, I'm just gonna make a USB battery extender. If I can find a 5v battery, It should be easy enough to make it possible to charge it off the USB port, then plug it into the Abacus. I'll also let you know how the linux boot goes, since that's one of my tasks for the rest of the weekend. Just for kicks. People have done a few hacks on these, so I wonder if bluetooth IS possible? You're onto something with your idea of a frontend for say.. an Ipod, or maybe even a Z It would be a big improvement on MP3 watches, which I feel only would work well with BT headphones. (And that one costs about £200)

You could do that directly with a Zaurus XXXX series, because of their USBOTG port. I've got palmORB running fine on my watch, just wire it in and hook a host app on the Z into XMMS. You'd just have to have the USB cable running up your sleeve.

[Da_Blitz]

if it can use palmorb then i am intrested, bluetooth would be a killer app for this thing as then i could hook it into my sysetm and see if i can make my Z pull the phone number from the phone and disploy on the watch then route the audio to my bluetooth headset , all we need is a serial port i guess

now where can i ind one of these in Australia

[Ferret-Simpson]

if it can use palmorb then i am intrested, bluetooth would be a killer app for this thing as then i could hook it into my sysetm and see if i can make my Z pull the phone number from the phone and disploy on the watch then route the audio to my bluetooth headset , all we need is a serial port i guess

now where can i ind one of these in Australia

Well, mine was £40 from www.Amazon.co.uk - And I've heard they're available in Australia. (You can even get an "Orange Croc Strap" model! XP)

Needless to say, I'm not dismantling mine, I like it too much. But it does have an IRDA port, maybe replace that? No idea how you'd patch PalmOS though. You'd probably find a small chip on MAXIM's site, (Free samples anyone? ) But small enough? Who knows? Also, overshielding may be an issue, the IRDA prots is one of few small holes in a solid steel casing. But yeah, PalmORB runs, and you can use the USB connection (There IS no external serial port, hence why I can't get a console on PalmLinux)

Also, be prepared to charge it alot. I use the PalmOS mode alot, so I just keep the USB cable in my pocket, and wire myself up when at a PC, or at night, in bed (I look like a cyborg. Kevin Warwick anyone?)

Ferret

[Ferret-Simpson]

Actually, I got a gameboy emulator on it, and I have to say.

There is nothing as funny as playing Pokemon Yellow on a watch. On which note, are there any Emulators for the GBA on ZQT? Just so I can play all my old games again.