Wish list for next Zaurus clamshell model

[albertr]

It\'s been awhile since last clamshell models were released by Sharp in Japan (750/760, not counting 860 which was just a 760 remake, IMHO). Besides, even then 750/760 were not much more than slightly improved 700, which is a two years old design. Time to think of soon to come release of new exciting clamshell model(s)?

Personally, I had hard time deciding whether to buy 760/860 model recently (prices seem to be getting more reasonable now) or to wait for a new generation. Having played with linux on Psion 5mx lately helped me to make a hard decision.  I\'m NOT buying it. However, I might change my mind if new Zaurus models will come close to what I want. So here goes my wish list for a new clamshell Zaurus... feel free to share your thoughts, criticize, etc. I don\'t have any illusions about Sharp listening to us, it\'s just my opinion on how I see my dream linux PDA. If SHarp (or any other manufacturer for that matter) happens to implement even half of that list, I\'ll buy it right away without hesitation. So here it goes...

- The same specs as SL-C760/860 (400Mhz CPU, 64MB RAM 128MB flash). Who needs more, anyway?
- About the same physical dimentions and weight. The smaller the better.
- The same screen resolution - 640x480 (VGA).
- About the same size keyboard, maybe more conventional layout (more PC -like)
- Better screen.  Make it visible/workable outdoors in direct sunlight, i.e. like Siemens S55 cell phone.  Larger screen. Screen should be as large as handheld itself, that would make small fonts look more readable.
- Better power management. Zaurus (even with large battery) sucks big time in this department. Look at Psion that could run for weeks on one charge.
- Software: Move to 2.6 kernel. Get rid of ucking fugly Lineo modifications. Hire up a couple of good kernel developers (how hard that could be?) and communicate development efforts up to main arm linux kernel tree. Open up source code of Sharp-specific Qtopia changes.
- USB on the go hardware support. Standard connector, please.
- CF type I slot instead of type II. Pretty much every CF card comes in type I form-factor. Better yet, get rid of proprientary and buggy MMC/SD slot/driver and staff Zaurus with TWO CF type I slots instead.

-albertr

[datajerk]

- The same specs as SL-C760/860 (400Mhz CPU, 64MB RAM 128MB flash). Who needs more, anyway?

Emulators need more.  GNU Go needs more.  Maths apps need more.

CF type I slot instead of type II. Pretty much every CF card comes in type I form-factor. Better yet, get rid of proprientary and buggy MMC/SD slot/driver and staff Zaurus with TWO CF type I slots instead.

I like the SD card slot.  It is small, power friendly and is useful for exchanging data with others.  A 2nd CF would be nice, but it will add size.  A 2nd CF will not be necessary if WiFi and BT come standard in the next version.

[ccrandal]

Here would be my wishlist for the next clamshell Z:

1.) Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth
2.) Builtin WiFi sniffer in the network applet, better bluetooth device scanning, GUI SMS utility, better support of different bluetooth profiles
3.) Little bit larger screen width-wise
4.) Made of more durable brushed-aluminum/magnesium (same as Clie UX or mini-iPod) with spring flaps on the SD/CF slots to keep out dirt
5.) Backlit keyboard (that could be turned off to save battery life)
6.) Thinner but still have C760-like battery life
7.) Builtin mic (why this hasn\'t been added yet is beyond me)
8.) If it could be integrated gracefully, a swivel camera/video recorder
9.) Upgrade to latest XScale CPU
10.) Double the flash ram to 128MB and flash storage to 256MB or a mini-iPod sized HDD
11.) One USB2.0 port and one Firewire 800 port
12.) Better stock applications, particularly PIMs, or...
13.) Partner with Apple to port Aqua-like interface with pocket Apple applications as an alternative to existing ROMs (or to dual boot)

Probably wouldn\'t be able to have intergrated wireless and make it thinner with a larger screen... at least not yet.  But hey, it\'s a wishlist.  Overall, just make what\'s there better and add features where possible w/o sacrificing battery life or increasing the size too much.

[tz]

I\'ll second the need for more memory/speed - if the newer denser/faster chips fit, add them.  As long as they are going to make it fatter, they should do something useful with the extra thickness.
When you realize you can run it as a server, do things like kismet with live moving maps, and want to do other things my laptop does, the more the merrier.  My zaurus is my \"leprichaun laptop\".

USB Host built-in.  (Maybe bt or wifi, especially if they could do these as installable options).  If they want to get fancy, do firewire (storage/network/iPod)
A second CF connection (via a cling-on if needed) - the chip apparently supports two, as does the 6000.   Maybe one type one and one type two (I have a number of type 2 cards).  Even if you build in wifi and bt.
A real RS232 serial connection.  These are disappearing, but they are useful for so many things.
2.6 is still being tweaked - it has featuers but is only gaining stability (you \'d complain if they locked in 2.6.8, and 2.6.9 had a better whatever).  Experimental versions are available (see next line)
Better yet, move the proprietary SD stuff to userland so you could have a portable block device module and control daemon, or write a PCMCIA emulation layer so cardctl would handle things.
Better sound interface (An audible speaker, maybe the smaller jacks, but separate mic/speaker, builtin microphone).

I don\'t have a problem with power management - when the battery is draining, it is because I am using it.  However dual-small batteries would be better than the bigger or smaller choice now.

[dhns]

13.) Partner with Apple to port Aqua-like interface with pocket Apple applications as an alternative to existing ROMs (or to dual boot)

Apple probably won\'t as they are proud of not marketing an Apple PDA: http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=484

But others (well: my company) might be very interested to provide such a software if someone jumps in and invests into developing new hardware: http://www.dsitri.de/wiki.php?page=DigitalCompanion

The crucial question for all wishes is: How many of us really want to buy such a device and how much would we be willing to pay. Let\'s assume all the current 3700 ZUG members paying 799$ each, it is unfortunately still not enough to cover development cost (which should be no more than some 5-10% of end-user revenue so that there is room for hardware, marketing, sales expenses).

-- dhns

[nathanwms]

The next Zaurus Clamshell definitely needs a processor or processor plus graphics chip to allow it to playback video smoothly and properly synchronized and a screen viewable in direct sunlight.  I made mention in a previous post that it looks like devices are converging to be either smartphones (phone; pda; limited video, audio, document viewing/management, some wireless) or Personal In-hand Multimedia Players [PIMPs - thought it was cute] (pda; full video, audio, document viewing/management, wireless).  The Clamshell Z is the leading PIMP in my opinion, just needs a little tweaking.

[ccrandal]

Well, I think the way around Apple creating their own PDA is to create the apps and the sync support for an existing platform.  While it would be nice for them to do that with the Zaurus, it would make more sense for them to partner with HP and do this for the iPaq architecture.
Apple is already partnered with HP for selling the iPod.  HP (or more accurately Compaq) provided limited support for people wanting to use the handheld.org\'s Linux distro for the iPaq.  Linux is not all the dissimilar from Darwin and OpenStep runs well on Linux.  Additionally, since Apple apps are built with Obj-C and it\'s frameworks, it should be designed such that only certain components would need to be modified in order to run on a handheld architecture.
Not saying this would happen, but I would think it\'d be doable for Apple to create a WinCE alternative if the hardware vendor would assist in developing the device drivers.

One more thing for my wishlist would be the ability to remove the screen from my C760 and use it as a standalone, tablet PDA.  That would probably mean the thickness of that component would need to increase and a second, lower power set of CPU and memory installed in it.  Perhaps they could do what was done with the Nexio where the keyboard was an add-on that slipped into the slot where the screen protector flap fits.

Ultimately, if Sharp just works to clean up the core apps and integrated wireless (with decent wireless utils) I\'d be very happy.

[zxerx]

Faster processor, graphics chip, more memory, bigger screen, etc. are a given, as are features like integrated wifi and bluetooth - it\'s just a matter of time. The only extra thing I want on my z right now is a back-lit keyboard - it\'s a real hassle to use in the dark.

[qx773]

Instead of a backlit keyboard, I would be content with transparent keys that are mixed with a long-lasting phosphor like Luminova, which can glow for over 10 hours, I\'ve read.  The characters on the keys would be opaque and be readable against the background of glowing keys.

[markw]

THe latest 626mghz xscale prosessor would be nice for X.

[cwaig]

Another vote for a backlit keyboard - using the Z in bed once the wife\'s gone to sleep is a real pain, having to resort to the on-screen keyboard.....

It doesn\'t even need to be that clever - a couple of high intensity white mini LED\'s under the thumbboard or something...

[tz]

Actually a DVD resolution screen and A/V codec chip and some way of reading CDs or DVDs (firewire or USB 2.0) would probably suffice for media capability.  Think portable DVD player, and add the C series stuff on top.

[cowcow]

built-in WIFI/BT/GSM
WIFI antenna socket
video out
fastest XSCALE chip

[omega]

video out would be great! USB host.

Oh and of course - a fuel cell! ;-)

[Ovi]

-clamshell design
-larger screen with remarcable outdoor visibility
-reduced weigth, 150g or even 100g? (the size of Cxxx series is still OK)
-battery life of 10-12 hours continous use with maximal screen luminosity and bluetooth active
-built-in bluetooth but no wifi (an SD card for that is enough)
-PIM applications based on standard file types (.ics, .vcf, etc.) and open synchronization protocols so that everyone could write a sync utility to synchronize with its favorite OS
-use magnesium alloy instead of the cheap plastic
-price around 600€