Compulab recently announced a computer that manages to cram a complete PDA into a device two-thirds the size of a credit card. The CM-X270L measures just 4.4 x 6.6 cm. In comparison, a MiniPCI wireless card is 6.0 x 4.4 cm - just half a centimetre thinner.
In this space, the CM-X270L somehow manages fits in an Intel (should that be Marvell?) XScale chip running Windows CE or Linux, half a gig of flash, 128MB of RAM, AC’97 sound and a Philips 802.11b wireless interface, as well as some things you wouldn’t find on a PDA, such as a PCI bus, 4 USB host ports and wired networking.
You can pick one up with prices starting from $47 (provided you want 10,000), although you may need something to plug it into.
The only problem I see is the need for a reseller. However, even if the price got marked up to $100, it would still be a good value. Then add a screen ($100?), batteries ($10-$20), and additional support components (maybe $50), it'll be roughly $270 for a custom PDA that runs Linux. USB host is also included!
__________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
TCPA would take your freedom! Say NO! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
HDTV the way it should be: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Originally Posted by A friend of mine who has a Linux kernel named after his girlfriend.
If I was VirtualBox, I could load my virtualization module into Hannah and boot up another kernel in the same address space.
The system's ROM would have to be removable, or have a flash interface that is independant of the PDA's OS. Each individual component would require its own set of drivers, so each ROM would be highly custom. Still, if you are going to build a fleet of devices, this would be a very good way to do it.
I think the Golden Age of PDA's will be over when stuff like Axim's and Phones are running big OS's like Xp or the new Vista.
I don't understand why. It will be just beginning. Some first generation UMPC's will feature a "multimedia mode" which will allow the UMPC to boot quickly by not loading the entire OS. A PDA mode would be similar, loading only a subset of the OS until you ordered a full load either manually, or by docking your PocketPC (and it would truly be a Pocketable PC then). With clock speeds rising, device size falling, and battery life improving, the future of the PDA looks bright indeed.
Follow Us
RSS Feed
Follow on Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
