Zaurus Is Dead .... Long Living Zaurus Aka Pc-z1

[fpp]

http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-18763...!!.html

[Zuse]

Sitting here in Japan with all those gadgets and goodies around... I was still silently crying at night, since my Zaurus (Akita) never was working as I aspect it.

Bought it shortly before Sharp officially announced the death of Zaurus and played around with all those different distribution I was never really happy with it. Coming from Psion I was really annoyed to ride again a dead horse and I was loosing interest in clamshell keyboard PDAs recently.

We all accept Zaurus is discontinued but it seems Sharp start to think different
The Netbook market brings a lot of movement and a little geekish market starts to become more and more mainstream. This means more and more potential customers... music in the ears of every sales manager.

TODAYS BIG SURPRISE !!!! THERE IS A NEW ZAURUS !!!!!!

[img]http://sharp-world.com/corporate/news/090827.gif\" border=\"0\" class=\"linked-image\" /]

O.k. the do not call it Zaurus anymore but it is clearly inspired by its predecessor.
Yes, someone might say its not a Zaurus but more a crossbread between a Netbook and a Zaurus, but it has some potential which let it stick out of the generic netbook market.

All infos can be found at

http://sharp-world.com/corporate/news/090827.html

The specs read nice. Many features are available which were missing or limited for Zaurus. No official price yet, but rumors in Japan and some logical thinking says we could expect a price around that of a standard netbook.

Model name:    PC-Z1-W/-B/-R
Installed OS:    Linux/Ubuntu 9.04 (Smartbook Remix ARM-based, Sharp customized version)
LCD:    5-inch, widescreen TFT LCD (Wide-SVGA resolution, LED backlit, touch-screen)
CPU:    i.MX51 multimedia applications processor manufactured by Freescale Semiconductor
Main memory:    512 MB (fixed)
Input devices:    68-key keyboard (key pitch: approx. 14 mm; key stroke: approx. 0.8 mm),Quick Launch button
Pointing device:    Optical pointer (optical pointing device), touch-screen
Storage memory:    Approx. 4 GB flash memory (user area: approx. 2 GB)
Communications function:    Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11 b/g compatible)
Card slot:    microSD Memory Card/microSDHC Memory Card x 1 (16 GB max.)
Interfaces:    Headphone output (stereo mini-jack) x 1, USB x 1, miniUSB x1
Battery operating time:    Approx. 10 hours
Dimensions / Weight:    Approx. 161.4 (W) x 108.7 (D) x 19.7–24.8 (H) mm /Approx. 409 grams
Main software:    
Browser:    Firefox®
Flash plug-in:    Adobe® Flash® LiteTM
Mail:    ThunderbirdTM
Integrated software:    OpenOffice.org
Schedule management:    Sunbird®
Graphics:    OpenOffice.org 3.0 Drawing
Audio & video:    Totem Video Player
Accessory:    gedit Text Editor
Other:    Document Viewer

Unfortunately the do not state what means USB 2.0 compatible for them. Bluetooth seems to be missing as well and the CF slot is gone... which is bad if you still have Wifi, GPS or other CF-cards laying around.

However, keep your money together! Don't buy a crapy WinXP Netbooks and stay tuned...

Greetings

Zuse

[tovarish]

Looks nice except that it doesnt have a swivel screen. Oh why sharp why.
http://www.pocketables.net/2009/08/sharp-i...ith-ubuntu.html
Another article
Netwalker
tovarish

[Snappy]

Also on Engadget ...

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sharps-...-zaurus-legacy/

I like the 5" screen and Ubuntu!

EDIT: No 3g ... at this size, I really do not want to plug in an USB stick for mobile broadband.

EDIT: MicroSDHC ... ??  Why no SDHC?  Non-removable batt??

[InSearchOf]

*3 Topics Merged*

Late

[Meyer]

This is an answer to prayer!

[Snappy]

Did you hear something?  What's that?  10 hours you say?  *SWEET* ...

EDIT: Man, I hate those THICK bezels ... what's wrong with SHARP?

[InSearchOf]

EDIT: Man, I hate those THICK bezels ... what's wrong with SHARP?

This is exactly why I didnt purchase the early models of the Asus eeePc

Late

[speculatrix]

I'm not too worried about microSDHC slot, it is the way of the future, even though SDHC is cheaper and widely available in huge capacities.

it's good as it shows potential but is too lacking, but where's the
* CF expansion slot - it was the making of the Z - OR, at least more USB - OR a miniPCI slot?
* why no 802.11N - maybe wifi is a miniPCIe?
* sufficient RAM - 512MB is not so bad but not really enough. hopefully it's an SODIMM?
* bluetooth (someone already pointed its lack)
* 3G as an option - or wimax - or something - see above for miniPCIe?
* 1-Seg or other digital TV tuner that might be reprogrammable for other purposes
* FM radio?

I'll think I'd wait for the revamp and up-spec model with better display etc.

[amrein]

Well, I won't buy this new Sharp device. Why? Because of this amazing device:

Nokia  N900 - new Maemo 5 Linux device with complete phone stack

Do we really need more from a smartphone?

[ArchiMark]

Well, I won't buy this new Sharp device. Why? Because of this amazing device:

Nokia  N900 - new Maemo 5 Linux device with complete phone stack

Do we really need more from a smartphone?

Nice, but N900 has smaller display than N810....only 3.5 inches with low res 800x480...

Think for my ol' eyes the new Sharp's 5" display 1024x600 will be better...but that's just me....

Main concern for me about new Sharp is what it will take to convert OS from Japanese to English...seems like no one knows yet....and I can't read Japanese....  

[Zuse]

Hi speculatrix,

I'm not too worried about microSDHC slot, it is the way of the future, even though SDHC is cheaper and widely available in huge capacities.

it's good as it shows potential but is too lacking, but where's the
* CF expansion slot - it was the making of the Z - OR, at least more USB - OR a miniPCI slot?

lets face it, I think CF is going to die ... painfull for me since I own some CF gadgets but thats the way

* why no 802.11N - maybe wifi is a miniPCIe?

I agree if you like to use the extend range of N draft. Speed is not a problem for daily use. Copy a few MB over G or N based wireless makes not much a difference. However I would much more likely see a NIC

* sufficient RAM - 512MB is not so bad but not really enough. hopefully it's an SODIMM?

Uhhh taking the form factor into account, the rather fact that they had to design some arm based think from scratch (nothing out of the shelf with many optional plugs to customize it to your needs) and the cost cutting consumer market I would not bet on that

* bluetooth (someone already pointed its lack)

Yes that just stupid bluetooth circuits got so small today. I bet there would be plenty space at the display side to fiddle one of those circuits inside

* 3G as an option - or wimax - or something - see above for miniPCIe?
* 1-Seg or other digital TV tuner that might be reprogrammable for other purposes
* FM radio?

I guess for that you have to see the Japanese market more clearly. Its amazing, where Europe still try to come up with expensive 3G service for executive business people, Japanese teenager are used to serve the net on there mobile phones where ever there are since long time already.
3-4 mobile phone companies are hardly fighting for each customer. However, unlike in Europe every company pops up with a own set of mobile phones. You are not going to by Nokia or Samsung or HTC but Docomo, Softbank or Emobile. Phones are OEM products produced for the individual companies. Some global players like HTC produce the same devices for Europe and rebrand them for the Japanese market but many other are really just produced for a single carrier in Japan.
Thus, as mobile Internet hit the market all companies merged it within there portfolio including there mobile phones... If you like to have 3G you likely will extend your mobile phone contract. Most of them offer different 3G USB sticks or other hardware for really heavy discounts.
I think sharp just decided not jump into that crazy war and does not include 3G since they expect that most Japanese customer have some form of 3G already and they like to save the cost on there own product
TV & Radio is the same ... most new generation Japanese mobile phones play TV already. Maybe Sharp is targeting another audience. Beside, Japanese TV and Radio System differs completely from the rest of the world. You would not have fun with an import device in Europe.
They state... ebook and dictionary would be key the features.
However, I still can see some usage as a dictionary but I heavily deny the idea of usage the device as an ebook reader

Greetings

Zuse

[Zuse]

Well, I won't buy this new Sharp device. Why? Because of this amazing device:

Nokia  N900 - new Maemo 5 Linux device with complete phone stack

Do we really need more from a smartphone?

Nice, but N900 has smaller display than N810....only 3.5 inches with low res 800x480...

Think for my ol' eyes the new Sharp's 5" display 1024x600 will be better...but that's just me....

Main concern for me about new Sharp is what it will take to convert OS from Japanese to English...seems like no one knows yet....and I can't read Japanese....  

Thats a minor issue, the keyboard is usable like the zaurus one.... the OS is ubuntu... there are localizations for many languages....
... long live free and open source software ....  

Greetings

Zuse

[sds]

I suspect this device is a no-go for both the US and the European markets.
- large, not pocketable whatsoever
- no wireless capability (2.5/3G) and no easy way to add one
- keyboard too small for touch typing, too large for thumb typing
- screen undersized, again
- no pivot for ebook reading/multimedia

This old "I am a dictionary, but I might possibly fit other purposes, too" concept would have stand a chance only if there were no advanced open Android and Maemo platforms/devices in the meantime.

As it is now -- thanks, I'll pass.

[cortez]

I suggest a group buy, like we did before (long ago) at conics.net!