Similar to Sharp’s Zaurus PDA which uses Linux, Hitachi has been working on a new PocketPC PDA which includes a built-in keyboard. In addition this device includes an integrated digital camera and uses Sprint’s CDMA 1xRTT wireless network. PocketPC thoughts hosts a picture and some very little details on this device which were gathered from the GadgetFest in San Diego.
The question remains… How much?
Another point to ask is : Is it really useful?
Although without knowing its measurements yet, this device does look kind of bulky to me. I don’t think this is just caused by the picture though.
I still like the predecessor Japanese Zaurus (1999 released/non Linux version) very much, it’s really much smaller than the US/European version. Down to the size of an older model cellphone, but still includes the wellknown sliding QWERTY keyboard of the western Zaurus.
http://www.amiga-news.de/archiv01/jbs2001/000006.html
It’s small enough to take with you in your pocket, yet powerful enough to play games, movies, go onto the internet and all the other normal stuff we are used to do with PDAs. Luckily it looks like PDAs and Cellphones keep moving closer together all the time.
http://www.stormloader.com/amiga/nokia.htm
Another point to ask is : Is it really useful?
Well … is a hammer useful ? Yes, if you need a hammer… 🙂
Why is it that the only PocketPCs that make headlines here are running Linux?
> Why is it that the only PocketPCs that make headlines
> here are running Linux?
Actually a PocketPC uses software written by Microsoft (including this one). A more general term used for these type of devices is “PDA” (Personal Digital Assistant).
So for instance the Sharp Zaurus is a PDA, but it is not a PocketPC as this device doesn’t use Microsoft’s PocketPC operating systems.
The keyboard is so small it is practically worthless.
The best “PocketPC” device ever made, even though it wasn’t actually Pocket sized, was IBM’s z50. I have two of these. Full size keyboard, 640×480 65k display. Granted it came with Windows CE, but it runs NetBSD and Linux great. And with the extended life battery, you get about 16 hours on a single charge. It’s great for long international flights since you can go the whole way without running out of juice, and actually do useful work because of the full size keyboard and decent display.
Unfortunately, IBM doesn’t make them anymore. Still available sometimes on Ebay though.
> The keyboard is so small it is practically worthless.
Personally I think such small keyboards are still useful, but of course for people with thick fingers or difficulty with their finger co-ordination, such devices will get on the user’s nerves.
Luckily there are several alternatives being developed. For instance, there’s a company called VKB which has demonstrated its virtual keyboard technology at the German CeBit fair this year:
“VKB has developed a highly efficient method for projecting an optical image of a keyboard onto a surface. In addition, VKB has developed a detection method through several proprietary developments for the accurate and reliable detection of user interaction, such as typing or cursor control functions (e.g. mouse or touch-pad controls).”
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/bown/article/0,16106,387829,00.html
Another promising solution includes handwriting recognition technology developed by Philips. I have seen a demo of this technology for a prototype 3G phone. An optical pen is used to write on almost any flat surface and through wireless network technologies sent to the phone, which recognizes the handwriting and translates this into ordinary text. Very cool.
Anyone with sales percentages/totals or an URL. I doubt this type of device has a future.
Most people I know who own PDAs don’t even use them anymore. And are left in drawers picking up dust.
All people with PDAs collecting dust can ship them to me.
This Hitachi looks cool, but I would like to see a next gen Zaurus.