Latest rumour on next model

[ashikase]

No, I didn't see anything. They didn't even have anything computer-related on display; all of their displays had to do with either cell phones or televisions (mostly televisions). I didn't bother asking anyone, either, as I figured that no one there would know anyways (being that there was nothing related on display); I also didn't bother them because everyone there (not just Sharp) was extremely busy getting ready for tomorrow.

- ashikase
  anpachi, gifu, japan

[acpkendo]

SL-5500: Cacko, 256mb SD

There is a Cacko ROM for the 5500?  Can someone point me to a link where I can get it?  All the Cacko ROM's I've seen have been for the c7x0/c8x0 series.

Cheers. . .

[nathanwms]

Got a few more bits of rumour today, but got sworn to secrecy. Sorry...

All I'll say is, assuming info I am getting is accurate, it may not be quite what you expected/hoped. Some unexpected pros, some disappointments.

Information (but not the devices) should be more widely available soon.

Zuber,  I have come across some highly speculative information about the next Zaurus Clamshell and was wondering is this more close to being right than wrong.  I know you were sworn to secrecy and I would never ask you to violate your oath; therefore, can you give one wink if the following specs are close and 2 winks if they are way off base?

SL-C960
Windows CE .NET 5.0 or Portable Media Center
CPU Intel PXA270 624MHz + Intel 2700G multimedia accelerator chip
128MB ROM+128MB RAM
CF&SDIO, BT+wireless LAN, a USB host
800x480 wide liquid crystal
1.8 inch HDD built-in

If this is true, it appears Sharp realizes that the handheld race is really a two horse race between PPC & Palm OS handhelds.  Also,  handheld devices are moving more toward multimedia (esp. video playback) and the PPC has a bit of an advantage over Palm and it has the money of Microsoft pushing it.

One wink for close, two winks for off base.

[Zuber]

I'm afraid I'm going to stick with no comment.

Otherwise it becomes a game of 20 questions.

Apart from anything else, I am getting the information from someone, not first hand and so only got a partial picture. Don't want to end up with egg on my face...

I hope they don't go CE though, did not hear that from anywhere, would be disappointed, since there is already the Nexio on the market for people that are interested in that.

Also, getting some "real" windows units in this week (Sony U50/U70) so looking forward to playing with those.

[nathanwms]

I can respect that Zuber, I had to try though.  I would hate to see the Z go to Windows CE also, but if it did I would probably get one.  The Z clamshell is by far the best hardware solution on the market no matter if you are looking for a handheld to replace your laptop or a personal video player.  If Sharp wants to have a device on the market now that can compete with the host of PVP that have been released recently, it seems they have no choice but to go the route of Windows CE or Portable Media Center.  Embedded linux is a bit behind providing video playback on par with Microsofts solutions.

[Bombur]

Zuber,

Better you had said nothing at all.  It is absolute torture teasing us like that with snippits and table scraps.

J.

[Zuber]

Sorry, my plan was to "reveal all".

It is only after I posted that I got told the "Keep It Quite" clause. Anyway, it should not be a long wait till an announcement at least. Quite a bit longer to actual realease of course.

[loopy29]

SL-C960
Windows CE .NET 5.0 or Portable Media Center
CPU Intel PXA270 624MHz + Intel 2700G multimedia accelerator chip
128MB ROM+128MB RAM
CF&SDIO, BT+wireless LAN, a USB host
800x480 wide liquid crystal
1.8 inch HDD built-in

Apart from the OS that would be some mighty powerfull hardware. Seems almost too good to be true. To be honest, I do not expect this to happen, certainly not without sacrificing too much size and battery life... but I hope I am wrong. If true, I would get one no matter what OS. I am pretty sure that with hardware this attractive, a linux port will be available in the long run.

The reason I got my sl-c750 was two-fold: 1. Great hardware at the time. Still the only usable model with a built in keyboard. 2. Great OS, but the first reason was actually more important.

Jan

[loopy29]

I don't know what this site is all about, but I guess here is where you got the info...

http://pc5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/linux/1095683092/98-

Somewhere in the middle of the page the same specs are mentioned.

[loopy29]

And I guess this is the announcement of the sharp activities at wpc

http://exponet.nikkeibp.co.jp/wpc2004/exhi...WPC04-0082.html

(you have to click through)

Anyone understand this?

[ashikase]

And I guess this is the announcement of the sharp activities at wpc

http://exponet.nikkeibp.co.jp/wpc2004/exhi...WPC04-0082.html

(you have to click through)

Anyone understand this?

See my first post in this thread for a translation of the info regarding the Zaurus.

I don't know what this site is all about, but I guess here is where you got the info...

http://pc5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/linux/1095683092/98-

Somewhere in the middle of the page the same specs are mentioned.

This page is a part of the 2ch 'mobile' forum. I've been following this recently... everyone on the forum is as much in the dark as we are here; people are listing specs, but most of them are just 'I wants' and 'I hopes'.

Since it looks like CEATEC is a no-show, I'd say the best thing to do is forget about it for a few weeks and just wait for WPC Expo on the 20th.

- ashikase
anpachi, gifu, japan

[guylhem]

This is a video player like the archos with the ability to also display digital tv channels, along with basics functions. But it's more a media centrer than a handheld

Link to the news and pics on http://externe.net/zaurus/ homepage

[ashikase]

I saw Sharp's portable digital tv receivers at CEATEC; they are part of the (poorly named) mobaHO! initiative. As can be seen on that link, Sharp isn't the only company developing this technology. Mobile tv has been kind of popular here as of late, with a lot of tv-capable cell phones having been released in the past year.

This has nothing to do with the Zaurus. A twisting screen alone does not a Zaurus make. The device isn't even a PDA (the only mention of PDA is that it can be viewed/held 'like a PDA').

- ashikase
  anpachi, gifu, japan

[_Psycho]

This video player thing, sure has nothing to do with a 'zaurus' imo.

20th october ? Hmm we still have to wait 15 days ! Hopefully something will be annonced before

If the 960 really come with Windows CE .NET 5.0, but has very similar hardware inside (with minor differences like the ATI chipset) and the same 'bootmenu' etc, hopefully thats would be easy enough to hack to install linux on it. (Thats how i see it).

[nathanwms]

This video player thing, sure has nothing to do with a 'zaurus' imo.

I agree, but it does show that Sharp is moving more into the PVP arena and some if not all of these capabilities can be incorporated into the Z.  It seems that PIM and note taking functionality were the primary reasons we bought handhelds and now it appears these will be secondary reasons and multimedia is now primary.

This is why I tend to think that in order for the Z to have long term viablity, Sharp must incorporate more multimedia functionality because the day of the handheld being primarily for PIM and notetaking is over.