Latest rumour on next model

[iamasmith]

Could it be that Sharp are making their second foray with WINCE - anyone remember the Mobilon ? - I would have thought that soured their taste for the M$ world.

The Zaurus is a special little unit at the moment but there have been previous Zaurii to the 5000 which had a proprietary OS so it's feasible that Sharp could decide to make the switch.

It would be particularly dissapointing for us I guess but we may be seen as niche users. So what if ?, does this become the Zaurus Linux User group ?

- Andy

[nathanwms]

Sharp seems most comfortable at being a hardware company.  Maintaining the software side of the Zaurus is where we all seem to have complaints.  If I were Sharp, I would stick with what I do best...developing cutting edge, state-of-the-art hardware and leave the software development to someone else.  I believe this is the direction Sharp is headed in ... ala partnership with IBM (software), partnership w/Danger to manufacture Hiptop so they can focus on software.  If Sharp continues the Zaurus line, I think it will be because they decide to adopt a leading handheld OS (like WinCE or PMC) and stick to making great hardware.  If this is true, I'm sure someone will figure out how to flash it w/linux.

[kahm]

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. . .

Go to the downloads section. Under the Roms heading, click on Cacko. That lists all their roms, including the ones for the 5000d/5500

[Zuber]

Here is a link someone forwarded to me.

Just to point out, I've not actually seen the new unit. So this may just be a proto...

http://www.mogya.com/zaurus/index.php?2004...%CE%BE%F0%CA%F3

Just a reminder, don't expect it on the shelves tomorrow.

[loopy29]

OMG, now THAT look like a zaurus follow-up   And it is a CEATEC related link. So maybe there is a sharp zaurus rep at CEATEC?

[rebski]

OMG indeed!

The name of the image file is “New_SL-Zaurus.jpg”

Look at that screen size compared to the 860 – it fits edge to edge – and the 4 way arrows have been replaced by what looks like a cursor ring.

Oh my, oh my, please let it be so!

[ashikase]

A better photo has been posted; go to the following page and click on 'newsl2.JPG':
http://cgi.f28.aaacafe.ne.jp/~agepan/cgi-bin/uploader.cgi

I'd say it's definitely a Zaurus, though whether a prototype or a final design I don't know.

Can't really tell much from just a picture of course, though a few things are noticeable:
- looks like the arrow keys have been replaced with a multidirectional pad, with a button in the middle (OK?) and one to the lower left (Cancel?).
- the Home, Mail, etc. buttons are now small nub buttons.
- there appears to be a lack of a CF slot on the right side.
- it looks thicker, though that might just be because the body doesn't slope down near the hinge.

... and that's all I can see. More if I hear it.

- ashikase
  anpachi, gifu, japan

[fpp]

On this (marginally :-) better picture however it looks like the screen size is the same as before : you can see the vertical row of icons on the right side and they're quite a way off from the lid's edge...

[albertr]

It would be shame if Sharp didn't use a new 4" VGA screen on new SL model, wouldn't it?
-albertr

[_Psycho]

Think Bluetooth & Wifi & SDIO & USB Host, is a good trade off to lose the CF slot ?
Of course if they included a HD, i guess nobody would really care about the CF slot =P

As for the post before mine, i think the screen is fine. I dont mind not having a 4" screen, and 3,6" fit well in my pocket. Not to mention its probably transreflective like the 6000

Wonder if that could include CDMA/GSM/GRPS (of course its japanese so i guess no) or a GPS  Because i know there is GSM/CDMA/GPRS CF card, but i dont know any SD card with that.

WE WANT MORE INFO MORE MORE !

[loopy29]

I am pretty shure many would find it a shame to lose te CF. Personally I feel this would be a very good trade off, because I don't have any CF accesoires any more. The screen appears to be the same size as before indeed.

This was taken at CEATEC, so there must be someone there with more info...

[swing]

- there appears to be a lack of a CF slot on the right side.

I'm not so sure - there's a definite straight edge just next to the headphone socket - surely if it had the CF cover inplace the cover would be the same colour as the rest of the case - with such a low quality projected image, it's possible that its still there, just covered.

[Ling]

I don't know, I like the hot stick babes.... It looks a bit too much like a UX-50 for me.

[Zjack]

 From the two pictures, do you think it's a bit thick? or is it sitting on a docking station/expansion unit?

[xiaman]

if you  refresh the screen the pic is built in layers the second layer is clear. the third layer add the distortion.
doesn't look like there is a cf card slot looks about same thickness.