Messages

31

New products and alternatives / Palm's Secret Third Business To Be Revealed!

« on: May 25, 2007, 03:47:36 pm »

Link --> http://www.i4u.com/article9150.html

It has been confirmed that Jeff Hawkins will reveal Palm's much speculated about 'third business' and a new mobile computing platform at Walt Mossberg's D: All Things Digital conference on May 30th.

Brighthand has an interesting thread discussing what they think it could be.
--> http://forum.brighthand.com/showthread.php?p=1529546

The thing I like best about Jeff Hawkins is that the most important thing to him is the user experience and making it as intuitive as possible for the user.  There are other smart phones on the market with better specs than the Treo, but I don't see any that beat it in ease of use and being intuitive.  So I fully expect the user experience to be better than anything that is currently on the market.  Whether it brings enough to the table to get me to go into my wallet remains to be seen.

What do you folks think?  If Palm's new device is pocketable, has all the wireless connectivity (802.11, BT, poss even phone), decent screen (4-6 inch VGA), built-in keyboard, and some derivative of Linux as the OS will you give it a serious look?

32

General Discussion / Lotus Notes And Zaurus

« on: May 24, 2007, 04:46:38 pm »

The note at the bottom of the NotesSync website says the Pro version is now free and source available.

--->  http://www.notessync.com/

Has anyone gotten NotesSync to sync with KO/Pi and KA/Pi on the C1000 or C3xxx running Cacko?

33

General Discussion / Forget The Zaurus - Itś Fujitsu Time!

« on: May 22, 2007, 09:49:44 am »

It looks like the men with the fingers in all UMPC pies, the Dynamism gang, have secured a deal for the Fujitsu UMPC. I've just seen the info come through on their RSS feed. They will be offering two versions of the Fujitsu UMPC from Japan. One with XP Pro (English) and one with Vista Business (English.)

It will be available in June with either 20 or 40GB HDD (depending on which part of their site you read!) but there is no pricing yet. I assume this will be a Japanese import and will be offered with pricing that reflects the import and software re-install costs.
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Lifted straight from [a href=\"http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=610]umpcportal.com[/url].

R.
==
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This article is updated and Dynamism has a $2099 price tag on this device.  A bit more than I was hoping to spend.

34

New products and alternatives / Em・one

« on: May 18, 2007, 05:44:41 pm »

Here's a hands-on mini review from a poster over at Internet Tablet Talk.  He seems to be impressed with the device compared with the Nokia N800 & 770:

I just got back from a 2 week business trip in Japan, and was able to see the launch of the Sharp EM-ONE. There was a massive display and marketing push at the huge Yodabashi Camera store in Akihabara. Some observations...unfortunately my camera was back at the hotel.
(Note: I had a 770 and currently have an N800)

- The form factor feels better than the N800. The N800 to me is too slick due to the rounded edges (I also prefer the feel of the 770 over the N800). The weight, width and height feel similar to the N800, but is thicker due to the keyboard. I didn't find it to be too thick and could easily slip into a similar pocket as the N800.

1) The screen is comparable to the N800, and the NVidia video chipset is fast. Videos played full screen (using WM6) with no stuttering. Photos looked good.

2) Apps launched fast. Overall, I think the CPU felt faster than the N800.

3) Windows Mobile 5 is the OS. In my opinion, this is a much better mobile OS than the current version of Maemo. As stated on ITT, there are so many details with the the N800 interface and apps that just don't work correctly.

4) ActiveSync - WM5 syncs with Outlook and I can have all my calendars and mail there.

5) The browser was fast and the experience was similar to the N800. I didn't get to try YouTube videos though.

6) Full QWERTY Hardware Keyboard. There is an on-screen keyboard, but the vertical sliding keyboard was pretty nice to use and easy to type on.

7) 1.3 Megapixel camera. Sliding the keyboard horizontal turns the unit into a 1.3MP camera. It worked well and the pictures were not bad.

Basically that Sharp device looks like a N800 done right : no more messy and clunky Linux interface, real video playback capabilities, much better text input.

35

General Discussion / Htc Shift: The Dream Machine!?

« on: May 18, 2007, 05:33:12 pm »

Here's a YouTube video of Steve Ballmer demoing the HTC Shift and talking about the UMPC market.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIaH0RuWG7M

The more I see this device the more I am diggin' the 7 inch screen.  The Shift is not much bigger than the Fujitsu clamshell UMPC that is referenced in another thread.  That has a 5.6 inch screen and this a 7 inch and the full range of wireless connection options including Bluetooth, which the Fujitsu left out.

I know some don't like the fact that it is not pocketable and that the screen is exposed.  I rarely have my C1000 in my pocket since I carry it in a case along with my camera, wifi card, BT card, extra memory cards, and spare battery.  I would happily carry the Shift around in a case and forego pocketing the device to gain the features this device has.

I also like the prospect of seeing the new Redflag Midinux running on this device.  Midinux should be very responsive on this device, given the specs, and the 7 inch screen will be nice when using the on-screen finger gestures in Midinux.

It should also have no problem running a full desktop Linux distro and another thread mentions the Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded project which should produce its first release sometime before the end of the year.  This is the perfect device for such a project.

There is even the outside possibility that some conscientious hacker will figure out how to get Mac OS X running on this device.  I know, a very remote possibility, but what a beautiful mini MacTablet this would make.  I'm really considering this device and will likely buy it if it is any where near the $1100 USD mark.

HTC Shift ... the more I see of it the more I like it!

36

General Discussion / How Long Can Sharp Ignore The Umpc Market?

« on: May 16, 2007, 04:06:00 pm »

As I watch all the various products come out: OQO, Samsung Q1, Sony UX, and the latest, the Fujitsu FMV-U8240 (a poor Zaurus imitation) all I can think of is .... Sharp what are you waiting for?

Probably waiting until there is a proven market, and waiting until the technology can provide a decent product without compromise. So far I have not been impressed with the UMPC offerings.
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Wait for a proven market?  Sharp didn't seem to think that when they launched the Zaurus, one of the first with a keyboard and running embedded Linux no less.  Or when they were the first or one of the first to include a VGA screen on a pda and first to put VGA screens on phones.  First to embed a microdrive.  What about their EM-One (s01sh) platform that doesn't even have voice capability but is instead a Mobile Broadband Terminal, how many of those are on the market?

Maybe the fact that the Zaurus didn't catch on with the rest of the world outside of Japan has caused them to take things slower.  I want to see that daring and innovative Sharp that brought us the Zaurus not because there was an established PDA market for flip screen, VGA, embedded Linux PDAs but because they knew they could build and deliver a superior, world-class device that, as many of you have already stated, has the rest of the industry is STILL playing catch-up.

37

General Discussion / How Long Can Sharp Ignore The Umpc Market?

« on: May 16, 2007, 09:59:02 am »

We all know that Sharp is a very innovative company with a wide mix of products.  Why haven't we seen Sharp come out with a UMPC type product?

As I watch all the various products come out: OQO, Samsung Q1, Sony UX, and the latest, the Fujitsu FMV-U8240 (a poor Zaurus imitation) all I can think of is .... Sharp what are you waiting for?

The Zaurus form factor, coupled with a larger screen and Intel chipset would be the front running UMPC on the market.  And since Sharp would be leveraging their vast experience in handheld solutions (the Zaurus), their research and development time and cost should also be significantly less than many other manufacturers, which should allow them to produce it at a very affordable price.

Am I the only one who believes Sharp is missing a golden opportunity to become a frontrunner in a growing market?

On top of all that, the Intel chipset will allow all the Linux lovers to run full desktop distros on the platform and take full advantage of the vast array of Linux software available.

Sharp, if you are listening, get up off your fat butt and show these UMPC boys how it's done right!!!!

38

General Discussion / Forget The Zaurus - Itś Fujitsu Time!

« on: May 16, 2007, 09:01:19 am »

Here's more information and a mini review of the Fujitsu for those who have been waiting for more details on this potential Zaurus replacement.


http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/news/art...php?storyid=592


Be sure to check out the link to the hands-on report by PC World.

39

Off Topic forum / Objects Of Desire

« on: May 14, 2007, 09:56:40 am »

Atari 2600
Commodore Amiga 500
Handspring Visor Platinum
Zaurus SL-C1000
Apple iPhone

40

Ubuntu / Ubuntu On My Zaurus?

« on: May 09, 2007, 10:44:08 am »

I think it good that <some> linux companies are trying to spread Linux to more platforms and the more pervasive they are the better for Linux (and also for the said linux company).

I think its a good thing for linux itself to see Ubuntu try to do this and spead the message of linux being easy and a no-brainer to more people using different mobile hardware (and not only Intels MIDS).

The point is the more platforms it supports, the more developers there will be and the more of a mobile Linux ecosystem will be developed.

While it may sound to be like the death-knell for smaller companies/developer's efforts to roll a suitable embedded OS with ROM for mobile devices, in the long run I think it will only benefit all - since there will be more of an uptake of Linux on mobile devices ...
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You took the words out of my mouth, actually the thought right out of my head.  I want this Ubuntu project to be hugely successful.  Imagine all the creative things the open-source community can do once there is a stable Linux environment that runs all a wide variety of mobile platforms.

I would love to see what the OZ, Cacko, pdaXrom, and other developers could do if they didn't have to spend time dealing with kernel and driver issues on different platforms.  I believe there are a great number of creative applications and solutions that never see the light of day because the developers don't have a stable environment with a large enough base of platforms it can run on.

Viva La Ubuntu!  Viva La Stability!

41

Ubuntu / Ubuntu On My Zaurus?

« on: May 08, 2007, 10:39:32 pm »

Just when you get all excited, up pops a correction.  It appears that the Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded version will target the new Intel Mobile Internet Device (MID) platform.  According to this quote, it is not clear whether it will be made available for ARM devices.

Carr declined to specify whether Ubuntu Mobile will also be built on traditional embedded architectures, such as ARM and MIPS, or only for x86 processors such as Intel's recently announced Pentium M-based Tolopai SoC (system-on-chip). "We'll need to defer to Intel for any details on hardware," he said, adding, "This is very much a joint project with Intel."

http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS2403415870.html

 

42

Software / Text Size Limit In Iqnotes 2.0.2?

« on: May 07, 2007, 04:45:36 pm »

Does anyone know how much text I can enter into the 'Note Type:' of Text in IQNotes?  Wondering if there is an upper-limit or is it only limited by the available memory?

Also, what about StageOne and an upper-limit on it's text field?

Many thanks

43

Ubuntu / Ubuntu On My Zaurus?

« on: May 07, 2007, 04:19:37 pm »

The Ubuntu project is looking to extend their reach and I for one am all for it.  An embedded version of Ubuntu would definitely rejuvinate my Zaurus C1000 and extend its life significantly.

According to the announcement (see below), we may not have that long to wait for the first release:

"We will start more detailed planning at the Ubuntu Developer Summit next
week in Seville and the first release of this edition will be in October
with Ubuntu 7.10."

https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-de...May/000289.html

I've always felt that it would take a big player or two like Canonical and their Ubuntu project to advance and mature Linux to be a user-friendly OS capable of truly competing with Microsoft.  I for one wish them much success because the entire open-source community will benefit from their involvement.

44

General Discussion / Zaurus Out Of Production?

« on: May 03, 2007, 06:20:15 pm »

back a bit on topic.... i wonder if Trisoft can tell us more about the future of the Z, whether Sharp *are* going to continue production or not, and whether there's another model pending?
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Now that the UMPC market seems to be moving forward and with the recent Intel announcement about the Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), I hope Sharp reworks the Zaurus to enter this market.  In its current form it is oh so close to these devices already.  

Build a new clamshell with the Sharp Em-One specs: 4.1 inch screen, 802.11, bluetooth, integrated camera, etc., but use the new Intel Menlow chipset.  I would even take the Sharp Em-One (s01sh) as it is now, with the new Intel chipset and the ability to run on the cellular networks in the US.

Oh, it is so fun to dream.

45

General Discussion / The Future Of User Interfaces

« on: May 03, 2007, 09:38:44 am »

I see multi-touch as a significant enhancement to the way we can interact with data and not a replacement of all previous methods for doing so.  Here is an excerpt from an article about one of Jeff Han's presentations and the writer makes a very good comment:

"Mind you, this doesn't mean touch screens will completely replace the computer mouse, QWERTY keyboard, or traditional graphic user interface (or GUI) any more than cinema made live theater disappear or television supplanted radio. Each continues to do what it does best. Your iPod or cell phone may be fine for short music videos, but you probably wouldn't want to watch a two-hour movie on it. "These media fall into their appropriate niche and are displaced in areas where they are not the best," Buxton says."

Link to article ---> http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/112/op...ttouchthis.html

For some, multi-touch will be little more than a novelty because you mainly work with text and the keyboard and mouse work exceptionally well for this.  For others who manipulate graphics and the like, multi-touch may well revolutionize the way you work and significantly increase your productivity.

What I love to see are the leaps in innovation that hide the technology and allow you to focus on the problem or task in front of you.  To watch Jeff manipulate graphics as quickly and easily as he did without having to remember a set of cryptic commands or drill down through several levels in a drop-down menu, to me, is revolutionary.