Another Embedded Linux Device, Has anybody seen this yet... Options

[technojunkie]

This looks promising! Not a clamshell but everything else we have been demanding.

http://www.pepper.com/products/specifications.html

[kurochka]

Has anybody seen this?
http://www.pepper.com/products/specifications.html

Yup

[technojunkie]

...

[Leinadmx]

It looks nice but its too big and heavy (I think)

[kahm]

Nice specs, but at 2.3lb and over a foot wide, it isn't so much a "PDA" but a underpowered laptop with a poor keyboard.

[technojunkie]

I'll agree that it isn't as portable as a pda. but with an 800x600 screen and all the connectivity we could ever want. WiFi, BT, IrDa I think I could overlook that part.

It isn't much different in size from a SIMpad, and it already has linux onboard.

**edit**
apparently it uses some form of X

"a C language graphics tool kit and GUI built on tiny X11 and the GTK environment "

[bluedevils]

the ultra portable laptops (sony t series and fujitsu 7010 lifebook) based on 855gme aren't that much bigger or heavier. I'd rather get one of those laptops (BTW people are running linux on them too), than a pepper.

[technojunkie]

Yeh but a laptop isn't embedded linux... therefore beyond the scope of what we're doin here. I was thinking of the possibility of putting OZ or PDAXROM on it thereby increasing our device base. Lord knows we could use all we can get as embedded linux doesn't seem to be gaining ground all that fast.

But apparently there's no interest.

[bluedevils]

The point is this device is too big to generate a need for it when other devices could do more. The zaurus, nokia 770 and archos are small devices that currently do not have competition from full systems (oqo the exception, but it's not practical).

[kahm]

I'll agree that it isn't as portable as a pda. but with an 800x600 screen and all the connectivity we could ever want. WiFi, BT, IrDa I think I could overlook that part.

For me, the most attractive aspect of the Z is ubiquitous portable computing. A web tablet like one of these things is limited to specialized applications or web surfing on the couch. If I'm going to web surf on my couch, I've got a variety of laptops or other devices that are better featured or nicer to use.

There's a reason why these web-pad style devices have yet to take off.

[technojunkie]

Oh well, I kinda considered this as a project deal that might be fun to work with, but Seeing as how it costs the same as a C3100 I'll just wait until I can afford the 3100 and get it.

[adf]

I think my wife would really like it..especially if we could get it to dial into a home server over her cell.

For me.... my much beloved 6k is slightly bigger than Im usually comfortable pocketing. I fear for it's safety in my jeans pocket. Goes nice in a vest though. I think maybe the z clamshells are about as big as a reasonable pocket device can get. Bigger, and it stops being ubiquitous, and becomes kind of a crappy laptop (from my perpective). If I always carried a bag... my perspective would be much different.

On the other hand..give it real open os, a bluetooth keyboard/pointer... and it becomes a much less crappy laptop that fits in a briefcase/carryon, etc.. would make a good travelling companion (media, especially w/ bt headset?) and maybe a bizbox... especially if the biz apps and data were hosted remotely. I won't buy one, but it is pretty cool.

[soundwave106]

I usually holster the Zaurus 6000 around. The Zaurus 6000 is probably about the limit that most people would be comfortable with, I agree. Not really pocketable that well.

A foot wide? Geesh, that's near laptop size. Certainly bigger than the mini-laptops I've seen.

[adf]

it is light (sorta) has arm (good power use) and lotso bells n whistles. in some ways, very very cool. I sent 'em a letter:

"Before I consider ordering one, though, I need to know how \"open\" this
device is. I see you are running a commercial linux 2.4. Are the component
specs available so that variant embedded linuxes can be ported? Is there an
SDK?"

They replied:

"Thank you for your interest in the Pepper Pad. For your reference, I have
attached a specification on the Pepper Pad.

By design, the Pepper Pad does not expose Linux to the end user. That said,
we do not prevent Linux knowledgeable users from accessing an x-term window.
We do not provide support for any software not delivered by Pepper. "
and attached the specsheet from the website.

They did respond promptly, and maybe they thought I was some random idiot (hmmmmm) trying to get them to do stuff they didn't want to. Or the guy who got my email didn't really know what I meant. Maybe a serious developer inquiry would get better results.

Still.... cause for a touch of wariness.

[freizugheit]

I can recall that the linux-based screen phone from Ericsson, http://www.gadgetcentral.com/hs210_intro.htm, had better design than Pepper Pad.