Talking to myself but...
Found an even better sounding Linux PDA... I include most of the article
(forgive me), but I hope it's of interest...
http://www.linuxworld.com/linuxworld/lw-2000-06/f_lw-06-h3600.html
Compaq H3600
Inside is a 32-bit, 206 MHz Intel StrongARM processor with 32 MB of RAM and
16 MB of ROM (FlashRAM really). Although the Linux version hasn't been
tested for battery life, the Windows CE version is rated to run 12 hours on
its rechargeable lithium-polymer battery.
What's really cool is that the device runs a low-footprint version of X. The
frame buffer for the device was created by Jim Gettys, one of the original
creators of X Window System, with the help of Keith Packard, another member
of the original X Window team. The H3600's X version fits in about 600 KB
and consumes little memory because of the relatively small size of the
screen. The same frame buffer is already in the standard X Window
distribution, so there are no new surprises for developers here.
Gettys suggested a possible development environment for the device in the
future. Instead of a system emulator or a cross-compiler that you run on a
developer workstation, you may be able to directly develop and test software
on the device itself. That can be done using a PC Card network connection
(either Ethernet or Wireless). You can telnet into the H3600, run Emacs or
X-clients directly off the handheld, display it on your workstation, and
compile with gcc or other tools. It is a Linux platform, after all. That
process not only saves time on development but can also save on cost since
the developer does not have to purchase a separate kit or emulator for the
system. Gettys also said that his team is currently working on a NetBSD port
for the device, which should increase the popularity of the Open Handheld
even more.
Unofficially open
Compaq has not made this an official product. Instead, it wants to test the
market demand for a Linux version of the H3600. To have an H3600 with Linux,
you have to buy the standard Windows CE version and then download and
install the Linux boot-loader, kernel and operating system. The installation
process is a little tricky right now, but Compaq is working on smoothing it
out. Compaq is even working to save the existing Windows CE image in the
FlashRAM so those who care to can save the Windows CE image elsewhere and
later reinstall it or sell it off to someone else.
The Linux device might soon have a better standing than Microsoft's Windows
CE devices, which have not been able to break Palm's greater than 70 percent
market share. The advantage of the Linux version is that Linux is a
fast-growing market with lots of available software. Additionally, almost
every Linux user has a ready environment in which to develop for the Open
Handheld. It can even run the same code as that for regular Linux computers
by simply compiling for the StrongARM platform. The Open Handheld has most
of the same features of a standard Linux desktop, thus users may already be
familiar with the user environment. The H3600 is not likely to run KDE or
GNOME because of the complexity of such user interfaces, but it will run X
and simpler window managers such as TWM.
Compaq's wait-and-see attitude for the Linux version may be understandable,
considering that the company doesn't really support Linux on most of its
products, doesn't have the necessary technical support infrastructure, and
has to try the new product in a very competitive market. However, should the
H3600 take a strong hold in the market, it is likely that Compaq will offer
it as a full product.
The $499 price tag is sweet. It is about $50 higher than the Palm IIIc but
lower than larger handhelds from Psion and others. The H3650 Windows CE
version should start appearing in major retail stores such as Radio Shack
and Best Buy around the US by mid-July. The PCMCIA expansion port costs $149
extra, while the CompactFlash expansion costs $49.95. If you want to be one
of the first on the block with this bad-ass PDA, you can register with
Compaq (see Resources for a link) to be notified as soon as they come out.
