Hitachi To Release Zaurus-Like Pocket PC?

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_9143.html' target='_blank'>http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_9143.html</a><br /><br /></div>Akihabara News found a nifty little news tidbit this morning: it looks like Hitachi has licensed the Sharp Zaurus slide-out-keyboard design and is using it for a Pocket PC-based unit. This unit is slated to have a 400MHz XScale, 128MB of RAM/64MB of ROM, WM2003SE, WiFi and Bluetooth.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20050201-HitachiPPC.gif" /><br /><br />However, there's no word on availability outside of Japan just yet. For full details, here's <a href="http://216.239.39.104/translate_c?u=http://www.hitachi.co.jp/New/cnews/month/2005/02/0201.html">an English translation of Hitachi's press release</a>.

[yslee]

That looks nice. I hope it comes in black, like the Sharp!

[whydidnt]

Looks pretty interesting. I do like the integrated keyboard, but I'm not sure there is much else here to differentiate it from the rest of the VGA crowd.

It would look VERY interesting if Hitachi decided to do the same with Sharp's clamshell version that includes a harddrive. Now THAT would get me to jump up and down for joy. :clap:

[surur]

Its incredibly (and much too) long. Instead of a slider they should have made an exposed keyboard on top (like the blackberry etc). It certainly does not have me excited, although Im happy that Sharp has decided to make a pocketpc. Unfortuanately I dont think this design will make them any money :(

Surur

[marcm]

Looks like a nice device! It would be better if it had 624mHz though... I like the keyboard, and the D-Pad looks nice too!

[CTSLICK]

NO NO NO NO....Hitachi you're picking the wrong form factor. What we...ok...what I really want is the SL-C850 form factor. You know, the one with the really nice keyboard and the flip over screen. Come on, change your mind...pleeeeeaaaasssseeee. Sigh :roll: :cry:

[applejosh]

I have an SL-5500. It's a fantastic piece of hardware. The interface left something to be desired, though. I like Linux and all, but the software available for the device (even including OpenZaurus) wasn't up to par with what you get with a PalmOS or PPC device. I'd like something akin to this Hitachi device. The SL-5500 really wasn't much bigger than my 3955, and the keyboard came in handy for writing anything of length. With a modern screen (the SL-5500 had an old screen that looked terrible) and built-in wireless technologies, this would be towards the top of my list.

[kozak]

The only way this would be cool is if they had a built in 4gb microdrive, like the Zaurus in Japan has (which runs linux). Otherwise, it's nothing special.

[thunderck]

They much not have any faith in the G1000 or any experience they got from it. If they did they would update the hardware, and made many improvements! This will not stand a chance against MDX III, I730, BenQ, ect and especially if it is not a PE. Clamshell Sharp!!! much better market potential. IMHO

[azhiker]

From the picture of the fully extended unit, the keyboard in the middle looks like typing on it would be awkward, much more than if the keyboard was sitting on the bottom of the unit.

[Typhoon]

I'll buy it if it won't be so big and bulky...

[Stephen Beesley]

I have always been a fan of the Zaurus sl5500/5600 form factor. Combine that with WM2003 and I could well be tempted. Could do with a faster processor, but the rest of the specs seem pretty standard for the VGA crowd.

[Typhoon]

The 400 MHz XScale CPUs don't have Wireless MMX, do they? Wouldn't battery life be better if they changed it to the newer XScales? 416 MHz?

[Pdaholic]

I've gotta see it to make a decision. I'm a keyboard fan, and I would have bought this years ago had the Sharp devices had PPC OS. When I used the old Sharps on display at Officedepot back then, the keyboard was okay, but nothing spectacular. I also wonder about screen protection--Sharp sold a decent plastic cover for the old devices that seemed to work well.

This hardware may be a little like the MPX--good idea, but a little too late.

[dh]

NO NO NO NO....Hitachi you're picking the wrong form factor. What we...ok...what I really want is the SL-C850 form factor. You know, the one with the really nice keyboard and the flip over screen. Come on, change your mind...pleeeeeaaaasssseeee. Sigh :roll: :cry:
What can I say, but agree 100% :lol:
Still enjoying my 860, but my next device will be a converged one. Nothing tempting so far though.

[shin]

Hi guys, I’ve just signed in Pocket PC Thought, so I’m a kind of nervous to comment on the topic, but I’ll give you some better idea of this device. I haven’t even had any PPC device yet javascript:emoticon(':oops:')
Embarassed (just wondering which PPC I should buy in a few months), so I cannot tell you the details, but you can find out the information from the original source through the following links.

According to its news release, the primary target of the “FLORA-ie MX1” is enterprise users who would use Hitachi’s business support services through the device. You may also buy the device through its retail site for 93,450 yen ($900/691 euro) from February 10. &lt;http://direct.hitachi.co.jp/> There is no description about English OS or overseas (out of Japan) services, though.

Unfortunately, there is only Japanese news release though you may find the detail on the original source.
http://www.hitachi.co.jp/New/cnews/month/2005/02/0201.pdf
http://www.hitachi.co.jp/New/cnews/month/2005/02/0201.html

translation of original Hitachi news releases powered by Google Language Tools (http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en)
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitachi.co.jp%2FNew%2Fcnews%2Fmonth%2F2005%2F02%2F0201.html&amp;langpair=ja%7Cen&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;prev=%2Flanguage_tools
The translation is not perfect but it’s would help you get more clear vision of the device.

I haven’t even had any device yet, so I may not help your detail questions. However, If you have any question regarding Japanese translation, I might help you.
shin
:oops: :oops:

[shin]

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitachi.co.jp%2FNew%2Fcnews%2Fmonth%2F2005%2F02%2F0201.html&amp;langpair=ja%7Cen&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;prev=%2Flanguage_tools

somehow the link was gone...

[Typhoon]

($900/691 euro) from February 10.

Nevermind, I won't buy it. Too expensive, too big, too bulky. What "Enterprise User" would buy something like this?

[dh]

($900/691 euro) from February 10.

Nevermind, I won't buy it. Too expensive, too big, too bulky. What "Enterprise User" would buy something like this?
Probably none. Same as none (or very few) bought Sharp's 6000 model, but are buying tons of Symbol MC50s.

[Typhoon]

You know? There have been quite a few PPCs coming out since this New Years, and there might be more due out sometime soon. But I won't buy any new PPC until a new model comes out with the new PPC OS. That will make a big difference, considering MD3D. Anyone have a clearer idea when the new OS will be out?? I thought I heard summer of 2005...but you know how it is...everything always gets delayed.

[Typhoon]

($900/691 euro) from February 10.

Nevermind, I won't buy it. Too expensive, too big, too bulky. What "Enterprise User" would buy something like this?
Probably none. Same as none (or very few) bought Sharp's 6000 model, but are buying tons of Symbol MC50s.

lol

[mcsouth]

I agree about the Symbols - for that amount of money, you might as well buy a ruggedized unit, so that your pda is protected against boardroom coffee spills.....

[Snail]

I agree with everyone wanting a clamshell design... Until that day comes, I'll be sticking with my UX50 (even though I long for the benefits of the PPC OS)