Is The Z, Archos Pma, Etc Dead? Options

[Cyberdoc1971]

I know some of this has been touched on in pother previous forums, but has the age of the Linux-powered pda (Zaurus/Archos PMA/Etc.) come to an end? This was in discussion especially when Sharp made the decision to discontinue the Zaurus line. I have also seen the decline in other PDA lines (Palm and Windows Mobile), with very little news of any new PDAs coming out(personally, the Follio is a sub-notebook, not a PDA).

I have seen other users Z's and other units starting to have problems, and lack of parts does not help. Like you I got into the mobile Linux when it started up, I was lucky recently to get my hands on an Archos PMA430, bit I have concerns that the PDA is about dead to make way for the converged device, which I am not too fond of. So people, what are your thoughts on this?

[T3_slider]

Haha, your point about the phone+PDA converged device just reminded me why standalone PDAs are now dieing. The dumb masses don't realize that the more devices converge the crappier each function gets. My mom insists on having a DVD/VCR converged device (granted it's hard to find a quality VCR that doesn't contain a DVD player). But when you have a huge high-definition TV, you get way better quality if you buy a good standalone DVD player with more outputs than just component and S-video. (By the way, I'm not calling my mom stupid -- just technologically illiterate)

Perhaps when there is a UMPC/PDA/phone/television/toaster that fits in your pocket (and doesn't burn the toast) more people will buy UMPCs, but not until then. (Another problem, again relating to my technologically illiterate mother -- I'm always told that the screen on my Z is too small. It would be the same problem with UMPCs until they master that roll-out screen)

[edit]And yes, 20 years was just a made-up date. I tried to make it later in the future than I would think possible and for good reason. They said by 2000 we would live like the Jetsons. In the movie 2010: The year we make contact (or whatever it's called) their spaceships are like those in Star Trek (No, I'm not a Trekkie. I hate that show -- and I definitely don't speak Klingon). Although I can't deny that in 2010 we will have that kind of space technology because it is only 2007, I am, needless to say, VERY doubtful that we will have that technology in 3 years. Yes, basically I'm trying to cover my butt.[/edit]