10-27-2006, 09:21 AM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,067
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A plethora of new, Linux-based, high-end mobile devices to debut soon?
Linux undoubtedly has its place on mobile devices under the sun. Now that I�m planning a new roundup of all �let�s remote control your desktop PC from your Pocket PC� solutions, I�ve also thoroughly tested the well-known Linux-based rdesktop on my Sharp Zaurus C-760 (running under pdaXrom, the native (!) X-Window environment for Sharp Zaurii; its non-pdaXrom-based versions are qtrdesktop (Cacko and the original Sharp ROM) and Opie-rdesktop for OZ/OPIE; also see this for more info) and found it immensely better and more feature-rich than most other (even commercial � see for example Mocha�s Remote Desktop client) Pocket PC- or Palm OS-based remote desktop solutions. And the list doesn�t end in here: you can run for example Kismet on most Linux-based, Wi-Fi enabled devices (like the Zaurii with a Wi-Fi card).
Now, all major �gadget� manufacturers have announced Linux-based mobile devices. They are as follows (I really recommend checking out the links!):
Nokia 330 (successor to the well-known Nokia 770 Internet Tablet). It�s rumored to have built-in GPS, 3.5�, high-resolution screen, DivX / MP3 video playback capabilities and a lot more. If the Web browser will be at least as good as Nokia OSS (which, I have to admit, isn�t very bad, albeit it does have its share of problems) or will be a direct port of Firefox, then, this gadget will be really cool and much more appealing than the Nokia 770. (Particularly if the screen will be much better / brighter than that of the 770 and the price won�t be much higher either.)
Sony MyLo: this seems to be another REALLY cool device: video (!!!) phoning with the built-in Skype client, probably games, Wi-Fi, built-in Opera (the Linux version of Opera is, currently, far superior to the current, 8.6 version, Pocket PC-based Opera Mobile).
Archos 604: another promising, Linux-based, Wi-Fi enabled device with a 30Gbyte hard disk with TV out and a 4.3-inch 480x272 screen. Unlike earlier, �dumb� Archos devices, it�ll greatly support Internet connectivity and contains the Linux version of Opera.
PepperPad 3: another video playback-oriented, Linux-based device: thumbwheel, TV-out, general ruggedness, kitchen- and bathtub-readiness (cool � you�ll be able to watch videos in your bathtub without fearing it�ll go wrong!), and a generally ergonomic design.
What does HTC (the major Windows Mobile manufacturer) do in the meantime? It seems they are just resting on their laurels and don�t plan to release anything really cool and multimedia-related. It�s only much smaller companies, for example Gigabyte, that do release really advanced devices. These aren�t, however, available outside the Pacific region. Someone should awake the HTC folks 
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