Author Topic: Sharp Ties Up With US Startup For PDA Dev.  (Read 8085 times)

zack

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Sharp Ties Up With US Startup For PDA Dev.
« on: July 23, 2004, 07:55:43 pm »
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=3&id=306466

Sharp ties up with U.S. startup for PDA development

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Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 07:55 JST
OSAKA — Sharp Corp. said Friday it has signed an agreement with Danger Inc., a mobile device startup in the United States, to jointly develop a new personal digital assistant for the North American and European markets.

The planned PDA will be based on Danger's popular "hiptop®," a wireless all-in-one device that combines a fully featured mobile phone with a variety of high-speed data communication applications including web browsing, e-mail and a personal organizer. (Kyodo News)


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Does this mean the end of the Zaurus line?  What is Sharp upto now?

zack

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padishah_emperor

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« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2004, 09:09:39 pm »
Sounds like a teens phone-type gadget, hardly worth worrying about in relation to the Z.
Left Linux and Linux PDAs... sorry, got boring.  Switched to Mac.

dhns

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Sharp Ties Up With US Startup For PDA Dev.
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2004, 07:08:47 am »
It seems to be a similar business model like the T-Mobile TM100: Sharp is doing the production and somebody else is selling.

So it once again shows that Sharp is great in technology but weak in marketing...

Quote
worrying about in relation to the Z

It could be an indication that they will not develop successors to the Z models we know of because Sharp is "focussing" on the Japanese market and doing all Wireless PDA products with partners. And if these partners don't want to have Linux: there won't be a (new) Linux based PDA any more.

BTW: any new rumors from Royal LineaLX announced to hit the market in last october? Or the IBM PPC 405LP based PDA?

-- hns
« Last Edit: July 24, 2004, 07:09:27 am by dhns »
SL5500G, C860, C3100, WLAN, RTM8000, Powerbook G4, and others...
http://www.handheld-linux.com
http://www.quantum-step.com

padishah_emperor

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« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2004, 09:55:23 am »
mmh, supposition and speculation is a dangerous game, this is just rumour-mongering with no facts behind it.  The Zaurus is a big seller in the Japanese market and have been for a long time, even before they had Linux running on it.  The way I read it was that this startup company needed a big fish to produce these kiddy-teen-gadget units for them, Sharp appear to be doing that, but to make a leap that this is going to affect their own Japanese market products without evidence is too far a leap for me.

Let me put it this way, I'll keep using my Z long after Sharp pull the plug, then I'll find something else that runs a full Linux/X environment and fits in my pocket.  The phone/PDA/wireless thing for me is not really of much use to someone like me, but I imagine teens and kids will love it, like camera phones. I like my camera and phone separate and my beer cold.

As for the IBM and Royal, I'd consider them to be vaporware for now, Royal isn't really a company I want to buy from, they talk a lot but deliver little.

IMHO, YMMV, AFAIK, © 2004 All rights reserved, all flamers ignored.
 
« Last Edit: July 25, 2004, 10:37:31 am by padishah_emperor »
Left Linux and Linux PDAs... sorry, got boring.  Switched to Mac.

coolass

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« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2004, 03:09:36 pm »
Quote
Sounds like a teens phone-type gadget, hardly worth worrying about in relation to the Z.
That's the same attitude America had about the multifunction cell phone ,the camera phone and Honda....now look.   hahahahahahahaha

zack

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« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2004, 05:37:17 pm »
I think it is a good move.  Sharp is known for making awesome hardware but is poor in marketing outside of Japan.  If they are tying up with a US company for marketing, that's a good move.

As a pda, I think Zaurus will end up like Newton.  Mostly due to sharps lack of involvement and clear vision.  

And frankly how many enterprises have adopted Z as an enterprise tool?

padishah_emperor

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« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2004, 07:41:10 pm »
@Coolass, now look at what? I'm not American and why would I know anything about what goes on there? As for the camera/phone thing, I did say that appeals to kids/teens and maybe technophiles more than the average man in the street who just wants a phone.  I see more kids with them than adults, or just people who like to get a new handset every six months. As useful as an ashtray on a motorbike to me, but with correct marketing everyone will want one.  But this is going way  off-topic.

@Zack, Well unless I'm reading it wrong, its a case of Sharp making devices FOR this company, not vice versa. Unless I am completely misunderstanding, how is this relevant or a good deal for the Zaurus? The Zaurus is a Japanese product for the Japanese market where it does quite well.  I can't see how (and it's a bit rich to assume) that a deal with an American firm to produce a gadget for the teen market to be primarily sold in the USA will change the Japanese domestic strategy of Sharp, are you saying they will change what they are doing for some little foreign company? How are you arriving at this conclusion? I just don't see it.  

Yes the Z will end up like the Newton, alas, as will everything we own, old and useless, a bit like ourselves one day eh? This is life.

Nice chatting with you guys, but perhaps this should be in the off-topic section of the forum?
« Last Edit: July 25, 2004, 10:40:35 am by padishah_emperor »
Left Linux and Linux PDAs... sorry, got boring.  Switched to Mac.

amrein

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« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2004, 08:45:31 pm »
Again a thread where @padishah_emperor will fight agains everyone.

Life is hard for emperors.

Please, don't turn this thread into a ME ME ME and ME again. It's tiresome.

coolass

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« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2004, 09:08:59 pm »
Quote
Quote
Sounds like a teens phone-type gadget, hardly worth worrying about in relation to the Z.
That's the same attitude America had about the multifunction cell phone ,the camera phone and Honda....now look.   hahahahahahahaha
You don't have to be American to realise it's folley on downplaying competition.While the rest of the world was looking at the cellphone as entertainment and usefulness we saw it as just a mobile phone and now we are playing catch up. Also it may be that alot of these things are geared towards teens and people wanting something new every six months but what itt comes down to is spending capital and who's willing to shell out the big bucks for the product. Sharp itself was overlooked by many but it has gained a strong enough foothold to branch out to different areas. It can also be a long term plan for Sharp to see how receptive the U.S market is to new things befor it{Sharp}, decides to invest more dollars in overseas marketing. Just because somthing doesn't appeal to you or differs from your opinion doesn't mean that it's wrong.

padishah_emperor

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« Reply #10 on: July 25, 2004, 12:46:37 am »
@coolass. I understand what you are saying and my postings are in good-humoured spirits, so please don't misunderstand, it is in a friendly manner. But there is a whole gap between Sharp entering into an agreement to produce teen-oriented phone-type devices with PDA functions etc and Sharp killing the Japanese Zaurus line which is a success in the their domestic market.  I do not believe there is a connection, so my point is, without proof, to just make a speculative assumption without more evidence is invalid. My own opinions/hate of phones may have been a cathartic rant and I should not have mentioned it really, I really don't know what goes on in America though, sorry. You are most welcome to drop me a PM and discuss, chat about these things if you want, I'm a nice person really.  I apologise if I failed to convey the good natured intentions behind my post, I write as I speak, I wear my heart on my sleeve, but sometimes it may not come out right though, my bark is far worse than my bite.  

@amrein ONLY. OK - THIS IS THE CUT-OFF POINT.  I have had a policy since I realised what an arrogant person you are, I ignore you. But today, I will not, you have pushed me too far and I have my limits.  I will say what I have to say once and for all, even if I get banned from ZUG for it - it's worth it.  You are rude, obnoxious and condescending, at every opportunity you get, whenever you see a posting by me, you hijack it, you have to get that little dig in, have that little moan or a snide remark at my expense. IF someone behaved like this in front of me, I would not think twice in knocking them into next year without a flicker of remorse.  Frankly I AM SICK AND TIRED OF IT. I have done NOTHING to you at all and I find you hostile and offensive.  Instead of butting in and having a dig at me, why not just keep your hands away from the keyboard and click onto another thread? WHAT HAVE I DONE THAT SO UPSETS YOU?  Do you want me to change my login name?? Is that it? Does a fictional character from a sci-fi book offend you SO MUCH that you have to make my experience of ZUG a near intolerable one? I have even PM'd you before to try and resolve this, hoping there was just a language barrier, but you did not even have the decency or courage to act like an adult and resolve it amicably. Do me one courtesy and leave me alone in peace - Ignore me and I will ignore you. PLEASE respect my wishes on this, my life is far too short and I do not want to waste MY time further on someone like YOU.
« Last Edit: July 25, 2004, 10:44:38 am by padishah_emperor »
Left Linux and Linux PDAs... sorry, got boring.  Switched to Mac.

zack

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« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2004, 03:05:35 am »
Hey cool it! Just expressed my opinion!  Doesn't mean I'm necessarily right or wrong!      If I offended anyone, hey I'm sorry!  Thought this posting was interesting and related since it is about Sharp- didn't realize it would offend folks!

I always thought Sharp's grasp of engineering is one of the best - as good as Sonys if not better.  But somehow they lacked Sony's punch in marketing.  If they are tying up with another company that can focus on marketing, I believe it would be mutually beneficial.  Not sure how this would affect Zaurus.  You are right may be this should be moved Off Topic.
« Last Edit: July 25, 2004, 03:09:07 am by zack »

amrein

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« Reply #12 on: July 25, 2004, 08:18:20 am »
Ok, ME ME and ME again post. Again from padishah_emperor.

It's the first time in my short life that I find someone with ideas completely different them mine. I should have said "conflicting ideas". What is really amazing is that you "try" to do the same thing as me: support Linux on Zaurus (add iPaq/Yopy/Psion in my own list).

I will hurt you more: I agree with you e.g. it's not because Sharp build a mobile phone for a company that they are escaping from the Zaurus PDA market. If proofs of Sharp over cautiousness need be found, there are other facts.

Sharp is a manufacturer and as I already said in another thread, their screen (640*480...), their techniques, their components and processors, their built devices plan... are all there for anyone ready to sign a contract and to build something new. It's clearly written on their main site since years and the Z is also a kind of technological showcase.

padishah, our ideas clash so often. I have to endure you in my threads because you have different ideas. Don't complain when you see me too in yours. You won't scare me and I won't succeed in make you be quiet. Even if it could be irritating for both.

Note: OE will certainly build OI/OZ/OY... (e.g. Open iPaq, Open Zaurus, Open Yopy...). I have let you play with your "I want more ice candy" and "Thread War number III" threads and other opium den threads. Now, I hope that you will be happy to flash your Zaurus with OZ when it will be ready for first Beta and Release Candidate. We will see if that will makes the difference I was expecting for the PDA market.

amrein

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« Reply #13 on: July 25, 2004, 08:34:09 am »
If the following idea wasn't an utopia, we could even think about building a company with those main goals:
_ to define our future Zaurus
_ to get funds for this future Zaurus and get in touch with Sharp for this new SL-CXX0 in EU/US.
_ to support our own OS (OZ/pdaXrom).
_ to sell the device to our shareholders and to newcomers.
_ show all counts on the main web page so everyone can see that all money has been used for building the new Zaurus community.
_ to sell CDs, dev tools...
...

If a project like Debian can survive, than this idea could see the light someday.

Sorry, about this. I dream a lot. It's because I saw in France that little shareholders have get together and have succeeded in kicking off the old management team of EuroTunnel (e.g. the Channel Tunnel boss and his collaborators).

padishah_emperor

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« Reply #14 on: July 25, 2004, 10:17:47 am »
Quote
Hey cool it! Just expressed my opinion!  Doesn't mean I'm necessarily right or wrong!      If I offended anyone, hey I'm sorry!  Thought this posting was interesting and related since it is about Sharp- didn't realize it would offend folks!

I always thought Sharp's grasp of engineering is one of the best - as good as Sonys if not better.  But somehow they lacked Sony's punch in marketing.  If they are tying up with another company that can focus on marketing, I believe it would be mutually beneficial.  Not sure how this would affect Zaurus.  You are right may be this should be moved Off Topic.
No, no, I'm not making myself clear Zack, you didn't offend, it's an interesting article and a good debate. I'm just saying the 'predicate A' does not infer 'proposition B', debate it, argue in a friendly way. You did not cause offence, I'm bad, I've written as a I speak and can get passionate about it, I enjoy these kind of debates, but the apology should come from me not you.

This is an interesting move, I'm not sure it will affect the Z though, but could produce an interesting product - although manufactured by Sharp - it won't be a Sharp product.  I'm so sorry if I explained that badly or made you think I was trying to butcher your arguement. I'm not.
Left Linux and Linux PDAs... sorry, got boring.  Switched to Mac.