iKit, a no-nonsense media player that echoes the ol' Zaurus spirit
iKit is a little squared-off personal media player and web browser, packing WiFi, 128MB of RAM and a 312MHz CPU. VoIP video chat and instant messaging round out the deal proposed by maker Imovio, which tailored Qt Linux to its needs and to fit the little 2.8" display.
As Linux Devices suggests, it's very much like the Zaurus clamshells made by Sharp, long late of America's shores. This machine, however, will appear early next year for $175, with a touchscreen edition scheduled for fall 2009 and a more advanced follow-up in 2010.
Here's the trifecta of flaws that's making me doubt what otherwise looks like a great toy: no 3G, puny display, annoying keyboard.
Tiny clamshell PDA runs Linux [Linux Devices]
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chip on iKit, a no-nonsense media play...
"If you're willing to go just a little bigger (about the size of a Nintendo DS), ..."
No223 on iKit, a no-nonsense media play...
"so am I correct in understanding that this will be something I pay for once, and..."
Anonymous on iKit, a no-nonsense media play...
"For those of the hackerly persuasion who find this device interesting, I recomme..."
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Anonymous Anonymous
#1 – 10:17 AM October 21, 2008
For those of the hackerly persuasion who find this device interesting, I recommend checking out the Zipit Wireless Z2. It offers fairly similar hardware(sans bluetooth) and form factor. On the minus side, the default firmware is worthless in the extreme(IM only, monthly fee for use). On the plus side, it is only 50 bucks new, retail(less if you shop around a bit) and there is a linux openembedded port at openzipit.org or linux.zipitwireless.com
Not quite as good, and certainly not much use right out of the box; but if you like hacking at little linux gadgets, you can get something almost as good, less than 1/3 the price and available right now.
No223
#2 – 9:13 PM October 21, 2008
so am I correct in understanding that this will be something I pay for once, and then enjoy the opportunity to connect to any unsecured wireless networks that I might happen to encounter?
chip
#3 – 4:34 AM October 22, 2008
If you're willing to go just a little bigger (about the size of a Nintendo DS), you can get a hell of a lot more functionality with the Pandora. 4.3" 800x480 touchscreen, 900MHz Cortex A8 processor, and 10 hours of battery life. http://openpandora.org