01-28-2004, 12:00 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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IBM Likes Linux - And They Want to Build a Linux PDA
"IBM tackled LinuxWorld in New York on many fronts. Its software group preached the open-source Linux gospel and spoke of how IBM now offers software and hardware based on Linux platforms that include PDAs, car communications, workstations and its PlayStation III project with Sony, for which IBM's semiconductor group, IBM Microelectronics, will be highly instrumental.
IBM touted a PDA prototype based on a Linux operating system and its PowerPC processor.
In hardware, IBM now has set stakes in Linux based servers, workstations and PDAs. A common, open-sourced Linux platform, IBM claims, is more conducive for the so-called pervasive computing concept where any and all electronics applications are linked and networked. But in addition to Linux, IBM is also quick to play up its PowerPC processor architecture and the role it will have in the non-PC revolution."
Can a Linux PDA take off? We've heard this before, and seen it in the form of the Sharp Zarus, but no market share report I've read has listed the Zarus as making much of a splash in the market. Would an entry from IBM be any different?
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01-28-2004, 12:05 AM
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Theorist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 268
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The problem it will have will be the same as when PPCs first came out and were being compared to palms - no 3rd party software available. In time, this could change if/when these catch on.
-arebelspy
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01-28-2004, 12:34 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 80
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I really don't think it is a big deal. Linux on iPaq has been working for sometime now.
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01-28-2004, 12:40 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 95
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could drop the price quite a notch IMO.
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01-28-2004, 01:08 AM
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Swami
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,303
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Well, it's always good when MS has some competition. :? They do need some focus on PPCs just now. It all helps.
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01-28-2004, 01:49 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 125
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Linux can run on a Pocket PC, no surprise on that
Would be nice a cool gui for the system, with all the flaws and wishes from either pocket pcs and palms solved.
And as someone said, competition for microsoft is always good, pocket pc is kind of abandoned.
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01-28-2004, 01:51 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by HTK
...pocket pc is kind of abandoned.
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What? 8O Please explain yourself...
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01-28-2004, 01:53 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 127
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Re: IBM Likes Linux - And They Want to Build a Linux PDA
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
Can a Linux PDA take off? We've heard this before, and seen it in the form of the Sharp Zarus, but no market share report I've read has listed the Zarus as making much of a splash in the market. Would an entry from IBM be any different?
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The Zaurus sells big in Japan and has significant market share there.
IMO, a linux pda will only work if overall costs are lower than either PPC or palmOS which I don't see happening. The truth is that overall lisencing costs for handhelds are only small portion for overall cost of pdas, thus I don't see how linux could be such an advantage in this area. Furthermore, there is already a large library of cheap and freeware apps for PalmOS, not as much for PPC....
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01-28-2004, 02:00 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 39
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I want to echo Jason's comment on price. I think the impression is that MS is making a ton of money on the license. I can't give more details, but I can tell you that this is not the case.
Also, Pocket PC is definitely not abandoned at Microsoft. The team is larger than ever. Big changes take time.
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01-28-2004, 02:16 AM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 263
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IMHO PDA's usage is a mess in the corporate world, just a few companys I know improve their productivity with Palms or PPCs, so maybe IBM is the one with the strenght needed to (really) introduce PDA's in a standard/secure/productive way inside corporations, and that's a huge market, now I wonder if they'll be able to do so and if Linux is the right path to follow.
Regards.
__________________
MacBook Pro 2.53-250-4. iPhone 3G-8
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