Mobile devices Toolkit

Linux carves niche in PDA market

Tags:
Synchronising,
Embedded,
Sharp Zaurus,
Opera

Suzanne Thornberry Tech Republic

Published: 11 Jun 2002 12:34 BST

With Sharp Electronics' rollout of the Zaurus, Linux has been getting more attention as a viable platform for handheld devices. One obvious draw is that many developers and tech enthusiasts like using the open-source OS whenever possible. IT pros toiling in a Linux environment likely prefer to put PDAs on the same platform. While Linux-based PDAs have undeniable appeal for tech shops, device manufacturers certainly want a share of the consumer market, as well. And that may happen sooner than most think, as both market newcomers and traditional device manufacturers are bringing Linux system products to the marketplace. But what will propel Linux devices toward widespread adoption is user satisfaction.

Linux offerings on the rise
With a list price of $499, the Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 is at the higher end of the PDA market. But there are less-expensive options. Royal Consumer Business Products, for example, is taking a crack at the low end with its daVinci PDA ($99). That's a bit cheaper than its competitors, such as the Palm m105 ($149) and Handspring Visor Platinum ($149). Although the daVinci is a very basic model that won't interest many IT pros, it does provide an alternative OS for consumers and students.

A number of smaller vendors have entered the market in the last several years. Empower Technologies, for example, has embedded Linux OS and hardware under its Linux DA brand. In addition to the PowerPlay V PDA, the company plans to use the OS in developing "intelligent appliances."

If you don't want to buy new hardware, Empower markets Linux DA software for Palm IIIx devices. Empower claims that its Linux DA system is faster and more powerful than the Palm OS, and that the device is fully compatible with Palm's hardware.

Software-only solutions are popping up from other companies, too. For example, open-source advocates are working on a Linux-based OS as an alternative to the Pocket PC operating system on the Compaq iPac. The effort is part of the Familiar project at Handhelds.org, an ad hoc group working to develop open-source software for handheld devices.

A great place to keep up with all the developments is LinuxDevices.com. This portal offers news, how-to articles, discussions, and reference materials for developers.

Synchronisation "easy"
TechRepublic members Adrian Kunzle, atechnology vice president with a private banking firm, and Mike Gilger, CTO of Identitech, were early adopters of Sharp's Zaurus and are pleased with the PDA.

Synchronisation capability was a high priority for both executives. Kunzle has found that the Zaurus syncs well with Outlook and Palm Desktop, and he's been able to load all the data he needs and keep it updated fairly easily.

"The funny thing is," Kunzle stated, "because the device is so capable, I find synchronisation less important as the Zaurus becomes my primary device. I'm now backing up to an SD card more than I'm synchronising."

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