Specification Of "new" Linux Handhelds

[handheld-linux]

Dear all,

as summarized in the recent poll, I have prepared a first draft for a "Request for Information" which can eventually be sent out to potential PDA manufacturers (including Sharp) as a demand profile from the Zaurus User Group. My minimum expectation is to stimulate the manufactueres to think (again) more about Linux based devices and optimally make available additional devices that you really can buy in Europe and the US.

Please comment on these device profiles (but please note that having everything inside drives cost far beyond 1000$ and getting a second source for a C3000-like device at $175 is unrealistic).

Many thanks,
Nikolaus

The Handheld Linux Shop
http://www.handheld-linux.com

[iamasmith]

I think that should be mini A plug, that's what's on the 3000.

[handheld-linux]

I think that should be mini A plug, that's what's on the 3000.

Hm, anybody knows it for sure?

I googled and found e.g. http://www.vivitar.com/Products/DigCams/te...Bminicable.html which shows an "A to mini B"

Nikolaus

[darkloran]

Hm, anybody knows it for sure?

it sure is a miniA... i agree with iamasmith

loran

[omega]

definitely mini-a   A sockets are for host devices.

[lardman]

@handheld-linux:

In your .rft file you say:

The Zaurus User Group/OESF  is therefore interested in getting technical and (general) commercial information about your capabilities to develop and produce products as specified below. Distribution is intended to be managed by companies that already import the Sharp Zaurus to Europe and the US.

I presume you've spoken to offroadgeek (who runs the site and is ultimately responsible) and he's happy about the use of the Zaurus User Group/OESF name in this role as the 'interested party'?

Otherwise it might be better couched in different terms; as in 'THE HANDHELD LINUX SHOP' (your company) is interested... etc. If one of these companies were to reply and say, "yes, we'll start production for you tomorrow, how many are you willing to buy", I'm not sure that the ZUG/OESF has the required infrastructure to sell/distribute/etc. the devices anyway.

Cheers,


Si

[loopy29]

Just a comment:

Referencing the 9300 as a bar phone is not correct. the 9300 most definitely is a clamshell. Also, the plug is indeed mini-A on the sl-c3000.

I can only applaud this effort to bring the linux protable devices to the attention of manufaturers. My hope is that with the advent of fully supported devices in other parts of the world than Japan, the developer community will warm to the idea of mobile Linux.

Regards,
Jan

[nathanwms]

I think the Low-end PDA should include IrDA and a microphone for voice recording.  As a trade-off, the screen could be backed-down to 320x480.

[offroadgeek]

Nikolaus,

You need to change this:

The Zaurus User Group/OESF  is therefore interested...

to this:

The Handheld Linux Shop is therefore interested...

It's fine to reference the poll and the discussion, but the ZUG and the OESF should not be tied to this RFI in any other way.  I don't want to be legally responsible for this if this progresses into an RFP...

If you would like The Handheld Linux Shop to have an affiliation with the OESF (the nonprofit which owns the zug), then please email me offline.

Thanks

[handheld-linux]

It's fine to reference the poll and the discussion, but the ZUG and the OESF should not be tied to this RFI in any other way.  I don't want to be legally responsible for this if this progresses into an RFP...

Agreed, so this sentence will be changed.

I will contact you through PM how to make that clean, as I want to serve the OESF/Linux users and not claim anything which is not true or intended.

So, we all will focus on the technical aspects here.

Nikolaus

[B_Lizzard]

Hmmm....Lovely...Looks Lovely.

I have to say though, some of your suggestions are rather unreasonable (If not expensive).Now, I know these are general suggestions, but Wifi, bluetooth 2 CF, 1 SD all in one device? I can't really see that coming any time soon.

My suggestion is, make a cross between the Axim x50v and the C3000....A clamshell device with a lot of power...But this is a mere wishlist.One must research and make the best compromise between power, design, and battery life.Mabye someone could come up with a list that's more specific (Meaning...CPU:Intel Xscale pxa27x @ 312-624 mhz, and so on.), but not unreasonable(And cost efficient).Mabye then, a contracted manufacturer could make these devices...And a reseller could sell them, but only with the right demand.

One more, IBM and several other companies have made  PDA reference designs, ready for take-off.Mabye, with a little tweaking, something could be done.Check out www.linuxdevices.com in their PDA section for more on this matter.

[handheld-linux]

Mabye someone could come up with a list that's more specific (Meaning...CPU:Intel Xscale pxa27x @ 312-624 mhz, and so on.), but not unreasonable(And cost efficient).Mabye then, a contracted manufacturer could make these devices...And a reseller could sell them, but only with the right demand.

That is basically my idea - create a rough list and just ask potential manufacturers what they have to offer. As offroadgeek stimulated by his comment: we probably need a separate legal entity that is open for all the resellers over the world, so that manufacturers become interested.

One more, IBM and several other companies have made  PDA reference designs, ready for take-off.

The IBM PowerPC 405LP based was my personal favourite... But they sold the 400 processor line to AMCC and the low power processor is not available any more. So, I think they dumped the reference design as well.

Nikolaus

[kahm]

Hmmm....Lovely...Looks Lovely.

I have to say though, some of your suggestions are rather unreasonable (If not expensive).Now, I know these are general suggestions, but Wifi, bluetooth 2 CF, 1 SD all in one device? I can't really see that coming any time soon.

Sharp could do it with fairly minimal modifications to the 3000. (Not 2cf + built in microdrive - that isn't supported by the Strongarm. CF+SD+Microdrive+BT+wireless+BT would be doable though, at a cost in size and or battery life.)

Specifying a production date of 6 months from now and stating 8hrs battery life might be a bit tough, though.

[ev1l]

Honestly, a C-3000 with BT+Wifi would just fine for pretty much anything.
The BIG problem lies with the closed architecture and the lack of decent software. What good is BT when you can't use your phone properly with it?
What good is wifi when your mail client is so ridiculously bad?

[kahm]

Honestly, a C-3000 with BT+Wifi would just fine for pretty much anything.
The BIG problem lies with the closed architecture and the lack of decent software. What good is BT when you can't use your phone properly with it?
What good is wifi when your mail client is so ridiculously bad?
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Well, I wouldn't cry if they added ram and a faster processor to the 3000, either. For the time being, a swapfile on the HD is doing well enough.

Manufacturer supported open-ness would have been very nice. Is anybody quite sure why Sharp decided to use the closed branch of Qtopia instead of the open one?