Is Sharp Done Here?

[Chayim]

Now that Amazon has stopped selling all the Zaurii the question really begs, is Sharp done here?  Is the platform dead in North America?  They haven't released the Zaurus with bluetooth and Wifi (as promised), and haven't really done much recently.

I'm trying to decide if I should write some software for my Z, and the fact that the platform seems to have lost support makes me wonder if it's worth the effort.  Worse still, I'm thinking of picking up hardware for it, and instead am thinking about giving up.  Does anyone out there have a clue?

thanks,

--chayim

[Richie]

Hi

Definitely worth the effort. The Zaurus might be finished, but the software platform, Qtopia+Linux seems to be alive and therefore still worth the effort writing software.

I'm personally looking forwarded to seeing what Archos AV500 series brings using Qtopia and Linux. I know it doesn't have a keyboard, but the ability to have movies, PIMS and the power of Linux in one device sounds fantastic. It's meant to have USB host ability so you could hook up a keyboard and with TV out you could always hook up to a TV to enjoy working on a bigger screen. Archos haven't released any details yet though, just rumours, see AV500 PreRelease stuff

Also, Trolltech are pushing Qtopia in to smartphones, so maybe one day a Qtoia phone to run the software you develop. Though I think Trolltech working with mobile companies takes the fun out of Linux, for example no community/ GPL Qtopia Phone Edition, no access to Linux terminal.

Richie

[Chayim]

It's just an upgrade path issue.  Ultimately, I want to upgrade my Zaurus or buy a new one.  The platform I'm interested in is something running Linux+Qtopia with a CF slot and a keyboard.  Admittedly I don't know how to get there when my Z dies.

[technojunkie]

Richie is right about QTopia+Linux. You may also want to check out open embedded. They are working hard to bring linux to other PDAs Mostly IPAQs but there will inevitably be more to follow. Zaurus may be dead anywhere but japan, but the platform can't be killed because sharp withdrew from the market. Good luck with your project.

[lpotter]

Sharp Zaurus in any market besides Japan may be dead, but Qtopia on handheld devices is not.

There are a few Qtopia devices in the works, and one soon to be released, as well as several Qtopia Phones in the works, so don't stop developing applications for Qtopia/Opie.

[Chayim]

The problem with things being on the Horizon is just that, they're on the horizon. While I can appreciate the fact that only Sharp Z in North America is dead, it still doesn't bode well.  Admittedly I'm still using my developer Zaurus (5000d), but it occurs to me that after nearly 3 years I will want to upgrade, ideally to a Qtopia Phone (with keyboard!).  But, I'm wondering how far away we are from all these devices.  
It's now a question of upgrade path.  I'm still going to go through with writing my software (installing the toolchain today!), but I'm wondering how/what I can upgrad to now vs. how long I have to wait for a qtopia phone.

[Richie]

Admittedly I'm still using my developer Zaurus (5000d), but it occurs to me that after nearly 3 years I will want to upgrade, ideally to a Qtopia Phone (with keyboard!).  But, I'm wondering how far away we are from all these devices.

Hi

The AV500 is meant to be due out in December and I think it has lot of advantages, not least a 20gb hard disk and maybe Qtopia 2.0. I know I've said this before, but I would take a serious look at the Archos AV500 and if you need the keyboard look at some small usb keyboards, like the "happy hacking keyboard".  If you've had a 5000d all this time, a couple of months is not long to wait. Archos info

As for Qtopia phone with a keyboard, I think the only keyboard you are likely to get will be phone type keys, 0-9 etc. For the moment most news about actual phones is coming from Far East manufacturers. See yuhuatel and mrd-tech. I don't suppose we'll find out what countries will have these available until they are available.

Richie

[lpotter]

Phone manufacturers take a long time to market. Qtopia Phones will be available sometime in 2005. A lot of interest in linux phones comes from the Chinese market. Motorola has a few Linux phones ready for market, and already on the market (these run Qt with a 'homegrown' gui).

The Archos device will be running Qtopia 1.7

[clivel]

Phone manufacturers take a long time to market. Qtopia Phones will be available sometime in 2005. A lot of interest in linux phones comes from the Chinese market. Motorola has a few Linux phones ready for market, and already on the market (these run Qt with a 'homegrown' gui).

The Archos device will be running Qtopia 1.7

How easy will it be to port existing Zaurus apps to the Archos, and to the Qtopia phones?
Thanks,
Clive

[padishah_emperor]

I switched to the Yopy 3700 (http://www.yopypda.co.uk), got Linux/X11 etc. can run Qtopia 1.7 (has to be downloaded and setup) and *many* Z apps - it's an option. I have it on authority that a GSM attachment is in the pipeline, converting it into a phone (Korean users can already do this), and they are working on a new model for the end of next year. I love it. ;-)

[Guest]

How easy will it be to port existing Zaurus apps to the Archos, and to the Qtopia phones?

Hi

I think it should be straight forward for the Archos, though I suppose it depends on the processor of the Archos, I think previous models have used Texas Instruments processors. I don't know what processor the AV500 will use. I would hope Archos release an Qtopia SDK to assist applications and porting apps.

Qtopia phones I think needs a little work, the version change from 1.x to 2.0, screen sizes and phone keys etc, but I think Trolltech have tried to make it straight forward.

Rich

[the_oak]

I have just ordered an SL-6000 from Amazon after seeing the $399.00 price tag. It was a hard decision between the C860 (I really wanted that keyboard but can't afford it) and the SL-6000, but the larger, color-saturated screen and built-in wifi, plus the new price helped me make a choice. (I only wish this price was out there a month and a half ago, when I sold my SL-5500 and moved up to the SL-5600.)

Until the SL-6000 comes, I am making do with an SL-5600, which I really like a lot. It so happens to be a pxa255 instead of the pxa250  . Guess I'll sell it when the SL-6000 gets here. My one and only complaint with the 5600 so far, is fewer roms to choose from. That will probably change with time.

Check out this link for a new linux phone, motorola A780:
Motorola A780 at infosync world

Just to let you know that interest in Linux and Zaurii is still here, with or without Sharp's official support. If lack of support was all it took to kill Linux and the Z, then many other products that "officially" have support, would just evaporate. I have never once called tech support on a computer or computer type device when they helped to do anything more than format and reinstall everything anyway.