



YOPY Arrives 266
Victor Tramp writes "Apparently the fabled Linux based YOPY handheld has been put on the market after all! Not only do they look like cool PDA versions of a Gameboy Advance SP (they fold), they look like they give the Zaurus a real run for the money, featurewise. Though the fastest processor is 206MHz, they include CompactFlash and MMC slots on the 3700 model. Apparently you can download their Linupy distro, too. And finally, they don't seem to be vaporware!"
I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 (Score:2, Interesting)
I also remember downloading some developer libraries and eagerly waiting for the YOPY to come out. But with the time, my interest faded.
I'm really surprised it finally got released after all.
Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 (Score:2)
Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 (Score:5, Funny)
It's trouble, I tell you. Trouble!
Re:I remember seeing at at the CeBit in 2001 (Score:2)
Uhm.. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Uhm.. (Score:2)
Nice but... (Score:4, Insightful)
I really am enjoying my Palm Tungsten C!!!
Solution... (Score:2, Funny)
It has Front-Lit screen, which is WAY better. (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Nice but... (Score:3, Insightful)
For traditional PDA type apps, linux is about in the same place that it is on the desktop, that is, powerful but flawed. But who's buying one of these to orginize their day, anyway? I have a IPaq H3900 running linux + apache + grass(GIS modeling) + a whole bunch of network tools. It fits in a backpack or pocket and weighs nothing. I couldn't imagine another platform that could replace it.
Re:Nice but... (Score:2, Informative)
Hardware support was of course a bit spotty as well. It seems like a generally complex unit for the "basics." I'm not sure about the latest Linux PDA foray, but I'm ra
Re:Nice but... (Score:2, Informative)
2) the memory model has much improved. I will say I use Openzaurus(.org) for the ROM, but the new sharp rom does a lot of the same things. (of course if linux does run out of RAM+swap, it kills it just as dead)
Hardware support was spotty, however unless you are getting something wierd, the hardware is generally supported in OpenZaurus (or you can likely find it for the sharp rom)
5000D or 5500? I didn't get a 5000D, but the original software on it was, well...
Re:Nice but... (Score:3, Insightful)
I run Linux on my desktop and my Linux PDA better damn well sync with it. The Yopy desktop PIM is Windows only. F it.
Re:Nice but... (Score:2)
like a switch? sheesh.
It doesn't have to be on all the time, and it gives the consumer an OPTION as to whether or not to use the battery in that manner.
Re:NOOO BACKLIGHT.. BAD BAD IDEA! BAD!!!! (Score:2)
Sticker shock (Score:4, Informative)
Yes, but what makes you compare it to an iPod? (Score:2)
By contrast iPOD is unique in many aspects, from exceptionally sturdy design to enough storage to backup your whole hard drive or boot your desktop from the PDA. When there are dozens of devices like this, people will no longer pay $500 to get one.
Nice, but ---BeOS Icons (Score:3, Funny)
Has anyone used one? (Score:4, Interesting)
Like a Clie (Score:5, Informative)
Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's market (Score:5, Insightful)
However, a $449 price tag is rather hard to justify here. I known that it's comparing Apples to Oranges, but, a person can still pick up a used, last generation laptop with vast amounts more computing power for the same price on an auction, or slightly more at a computer show. And yes, I do realize that making these things are not exactly cheap, but $400+ dollars for those specs - from an unproven manufacturer?
I'll stick with my $195 backlit Clie [sonystyle.com] that I got from Circuit City - after my $35 mail in rebate and the $10 mark down from the holiday sale (which can do everything that this can) for now. I'll pick a Yopy up off Ebay in a few months though.
not that competative for its market (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark (Score:2)
Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark (Score:3, Informative)
No question, the Clie is a great deal for a basic PDA with a nice screen. But none of the PalmOS devices are particularly good for developing custom applications for because their OS is so different from everything else (oddball memory management, database as the primary storage model, a GUI toolkit that's different from everything else).
And yes, I do realize that making these things are not exactly cheap, but $400+ dollars for those spec
Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark (Score:2)
yopy... cool idea, but cut the price in 1/2 for the same cash I can get a SL-5600 with twice the processor speed.
Re:Bit pricy still - but competitive for it's mark (Score:2)
You were correct in saying that you can get a SL-5500 for $200. However, you cannot get a SL-5600 for $200. They are quite a bit more expensive. Most places still have it for $500, although you can get it a little cheaper elsewhere.
Also, the 400 MHz XScale PXA250 found in the SL-5600 isn't twice as fast as the 206 MHz StrongARM in the SL-5500, the Yopy, or the iPAQ 3x00. Please read some of the st
Your Clié link is broken (Score:2)
Koreanglish (Score:2, Funny)
Making background freely - You can do it using the Wallpaper program or the Painter easily for yourself.
Screen Protection from scratch or break.
In France and Austria and UK, you can not get the order. Please contact to the site.
Come on guys you really oughta start by cleaning up the way you present your product if your ambitions include ever being more than just a n
Their site is a little slow... (Score:2, Funny)
Again... (Score:5, Insightful)
You can make an amazing PDA based on Linux, but if it doesn't run the apps that are all ready out there, are the few advantages great enough to outweigh the lack of support?
Program base doesn't equal success (Score:5, Insightful)
PDAs are main stream; everyone from the CEO to grandma has one. Which means that the average PDA consumer is like every other average consumer of anything else, and name recognition and marketing pizazz still rules the market (in regards to sells).
Re:Program base doesn't equal success (Score:2, Insightful)
If you go around that circular counter at most Best Buy's, you'll see the celluar phone section. There you'll most certainly see a Handspring Treo or two. If you go to their website [handspring.com] it's pretty clear they're not competing in the plain 'ole handheld market anymore. Not surprising, if you ask me.
Re:Program base doesn't equal success (Score:2)
Funny you should mention blurry screens... (Score:2)
The newer generation of LCD screens, used on all non-color Handspring PDAs and all more recent Palm PDAs, has higher contrast and better response times. The image produced is sharper.
Of course, this BLOKE you speak of could have been just like the dozens of idiots who destroyed their screen's protective coating through heavy use. Any screen with a damaged coating is gonna look damn blurry.
Different markets. (Score:5, Informative)
Anyway... I wsent off on a tangent, but the long and short of it is I doubt these will appeal to the average user. Admins, definitely!
If you really wanted to push these to ordinary users, I think I'd concentrate on marketing the mp3 music/mpeg movie players on them. And the fact that they have CF card slots (think IBM 1 gig microdrive - they hold a lot of data).
The fact that you could check your email in Starbucks doesn't hurt either.
Re:Different markets. (Score:3, Interesting)
You, and countless others on Slashdot, have talked about all the fun little LUG and show-the-boss demos you can do on the Zaurus. Guess what? Pretty much all of them work on WinCE and also PocketPC (which is a superset of WinCE).
Yes, on Windows CE you can do SSH. Teln
Re:Different markets. (Score:2)
Re:Again... (Score:2)
Maybe if you'd been around long enough you'd realize how silly it is to say "never" in the computer industry, like someone saying the pc will never make it b
Re:Again... (Score:2)
Yes, you can run just about any app from Debian ARM, but what does that get you in the way of useful PDA apps? Nothing. Your argument wouldn't be so bad if the Z had a bigger screen and ra
Not a brick, suprisingly... (Score:4, Interesting)
I have to drool over the 2300mAh battery. Ack.
While a Strongarm processor might not have the sex appeal of an Xscale, most of the Xscales are just empty promises for other handhelds. PPC 2002 doesn't support the Xscale's ARMv5 instruction set, and from the look of the upcoming Ipaq (which don't support v5 either but supposedly will have PPC 2003 installed), PPC 2003 won't either.
Re:Not a brick, suprisingly... (Score:5, Informative)
But apparently their web server... (Score:2, Funny)
How about Apple's new 4 inch iBook (Score:5, Funny)
A server in your pocket, or maybe two
Re:How about Apple's new 4 inch iBook (Score:2)
I don't think this is real. Of course, I can't tell from your post if you were serious or not.
Yes, Sony is selling them now. (Score:2)
Jon Acheson
Someday maybe... (Score:5, Insightful)
Even if it's not USB, some kind of mass storage would be quite a boon. Perhaps Apple will just steer the iPod in that direction eventually.
Re:Someday maybe... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Someday maybe... Today sorta! (Score:3, Interesting)
I don't have any of the supported PDAs, but my ultra-cool, ultra-sexy, uber-geek girlfriend has an iPAQ (not that I'm kissing up so she'll get one, but I do think she is those things... really... its true! bah!). It's $139 though... That hurts and will push it back on my toy buying schedule. Maybe my gir
Printer drivers can be very light (Score:3, Informative)
However, since this can run Linux, you can use a gene
Re:Printer drivers can be very light (Score:2)
WindowsCE includes the ability to print from the device. Note, however, that this is taken out in PocketPC (along with some other features in vanilla WinCE 3). However, my Jornada 720 and other Handheld PC 2000 and vanilla WinCE devices can print via the network or IR.
My Newton 2100 also has printer drivers for a handful of printers. As did older Newtons. Another thing the Newton did well, but almost everyone else seems to have dropped the ball on...
Re:Someday maybe... (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Someday maybe... (Score:2)
Re:Someday maybe... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Someday maybe... (Score:2)
Re:Someday maybe... (Score:2)
I think there is a new USB mobile standard coming out that deals with this.
On a side note, the grandparent poster seems to be unaware that a CF slot is just a miniturized PCMCIA slot. You can get a CF->PCMCIA adapter, and then use a PCMCIA IDE controller card if you want. (Or a PCMCIA
Re:Someday maybe... (Score:2)
Re:Someday maybe... (Score:2)
The Toshiba Pocket PCs have a USB host function. It supports keyboards with no drivers; someone has written drivers for mice, gamepads, and even... USB mass storage devices.
So, the specification already exists (thank god) and Toshiba already has USB host (thank god). Looks like Apple won't have
Excuse me... (Score:2)
Killer App (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Killer App (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Killer App (Score:2)
Play MAME on your fancy handheld in a staff meeting, and tell me how your next performance review goes.
~Berj
processor too slow??? (Score:3, Insightful)
damn, that's not slow at all, i'm running a 233 right now for my desktop, and it does most stuff, apart from new games very well. I know it's not a pentium chip in the new PDA, so you just can't compare straight mHz, but still 206 mhz, in your hand, this thing r0X0rs!!!
Re:processor too slow??? (Score:2)
I don't know exactly how they are designing these portable devices, but they are not at all comparable to a regular PC.
Any interest? (Score:2)
"Those? Those are cell phones...I need one for each country I go to, and I go to a lot of countries...why?"
Re:Any interest? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Any interest? (Score:2)
I've seen these in the past, but I've never priced them locally. You can see their prices on their site, if you order online. Right now it looks to be either $450 or $500, depending on model. Since they are apparently made here, I'm fairly certain there is price latitude, and the exchange rate is pretty good rig
I have a first-generation Yopy (Score:5, Interesting)
I haven't touched it in a year, because Gmate never released source for anything but the kernel. Worse, their web site had a place to upload things, but anything they didn't like, (like my cool USB base station mod [cantrip.org], evidently [see the serial number?]) they just tossed, without a reply -- the upload would just vanish into the ether. (I uploaded three times just to be sure it was deliberate.)
It appears they wanted people to write applications, but not to fool with the hardware or kernel.
I hope they have got less contemptuous of hackers in days since. At this point I would be a lot more likely to order one of those Japan-only Zauruses.
Wireless Lan CARD - LAME! (Score:5, Insightful)
Y vs. Z (Score:5, Informative)
So let's compare with Yopy:
Yopy: awesome design, keyboard doesn't look as nice as the Z's which is arranged in the perfect way for thumb-typing. Hmm, you can't fold the screen around and hold the Yopy like a PDA unfortunately, and the keyboard is always exposed. I prefer the Z (plus on the Zaurus you can type pretty much any key you need if you know the right combinations, don't know about this guy).
Looks like the Yopy has speaker/mic onboard? My Z doesn't have that, but the new model does, so that's not a big issue.
Battery life: YOW the Yopy has a phat-ass battery. If there's one thing I hate about my Z it's the <1000mA-h battery. The new Z has a bigger battery but the Yopy kicks everybody's butt.
MMC slot: Well, as far as I know, the SD cards are faster (so they can sell you the copyright bullshit feature which is deactivated on the Z anyway). I don't know if this is slower than the Z's SD slot. Why don't these guys just put TWO CF slots?? That's the superior format in my opinion anyway.
CPU speed: the new Z has a 400Mhz Xscale but apparently it doesn't work right and the performance isn't good. The newer japan-only clamshell Zaurii have a full-speed 400MHz. So I guess it's a draw with the Z here, unless you get the very new clamshell Zaurus.
Colorful LEDs? Well the Z has a couple LEDs that blink and an ANNOYING buzzer. I guess I'll call it a draw here too.
Software: don't know much about the software on the Y. It looks like X Windows.. can I get good software for it? We'll see. I'll give the edge to the Z on this one becuase I know where to get good free and commercial Z software, haven't seen any Y software (yeah yeah, port the X apps, but what about when I want something that Just Works(tm)).
Price: Well the Z is available cheap from many places, I got mine from the HSN special for $168, don't think the Y can compete with that. I'll hand this one to the Z.
WiFi: Does the Y have built-in Wifi??? I don't understand when they say "wifi card". If it has it built-in that's a win for Y, I hate having to go off the air to use the CF slot (I HATE SD cards, and all my software is installed on mine so I never take it out anyway).
So based on my cursory glance: The Y *looks* a *little* cooler than the (non-clamshell) Z. The battery life is much much better. Other than that, I don't see much reason to get one.
Looking forward to the reviews/cool hacks/comments
The Zaurus software is so-so? No, it's rubbish... (Score:2)
Lets start with the spreadsheet:
Does it have a charting/graphing ability? NO.
Correct behavior with respect to formulas when new columns are inserted? NO.
The word processor:
Does it support styles? NO.
Does it support the embedding of application objects? NO, all it can do are bitmaps.
Does it have a spell checker? NO.
Date or other abitrary fields? NO, can only insert date strings.
Todo list:
The todo list integrated with the Calendar? NO.
Does the todo li
Re:The Zaurus software is so-so? No, it's rubbish. (Score:2)
You're really almost comparing apples to oranges here. I used to own a Psion Revo+, and now I have a Zaurus 5500, so I know exactly what I'm talking about. The EPOC OS is probably the most polished, stable OS I've ever used. The pim apps were great. That said, the Psions you're taling about never had anything close to the functionality of the Z.
These are excellent PDAs (Score:2, Informative)
Well built, excellent battery time, excellent visual capabilities and vivid color.
In the history of PDAs, I would give the YOPY a B+, but because of its affordability I honestly must put the YOPY in the A- or A category. Truly a marvel whereas it will tap into the market share of people that can't afford the more expensive Toshiba and Sharp PDAs; to begin with, YOPY uses Linux and tha
Yopy.... looks happy (Score:2)
Now, I can't tell based on the site wether or not the screen offers handwriting reconition like the old newton did, but it being linux i'm sure it can adapt if nessicary. One aspect I did enjoy abou the newton was it's ability to take notes in class, while it wasn't quite mature enough to be trully reliable, writing on it
So what? (Score:3, Funny)
Question...... (Score:2)
Question: What about making a nice little transparent wrapper so that an existing wealth of games can be used under this new platform. While I'm sure some of the classics like pac-man and such are still protected under copyright, but after seeing recently an atari joystick with essentally a 2
Archaic ordering process (Score:3, Informative)
Turns out, you have to make a wire transfer to their bank account in order to get one. When's the last time you went to your bank for a wire transfer (note: there are extra fees involved).
Also, shipping to the US is US$50. So raise the minimum price to US$500.
Today's technology truly amazes me. (Score:2, Funny)
WOW! You can change the background now? Incredible! I can not only change it, but I can change it easily by myself!
looks a lot better than the Zaurus (Score:3, Informative)
I have a Zaurus and it has generally been a disappointment. The built-in applications are not all that good, and its use of Qt/Embedded makes it very difficult to port most Linux GUI software to it--you have to spend time learning Qt/Embedded. I find the Zaurus mostly useful as a little wireless terminal and music player for around the house, not as a PDA.
The Yopy looks like it gets it right: standard Linux with X11. Note that G.MATE also first tried to use some other embedded window system and then saw the light.
Also, the keyboard on the Yopy looks like it's more functional to me than what the Zaurus has. The Zaurus keyboard feels nice, but the sliding mechanism is kind of clunky. On the Yopy, it's right there.
The price seems pretty much in line with the new Zaurus, the PPC, and Palm handhelds, and the Yopy just seems like a nice machine.
Preinstalled games (Score:2)
I heard a nasty rumor it comes with Duke Nukem Forever preinstalled.
Xcalc, come on (Score:2)
Yopy 3000 (Score:2, Informative)
Excellent Hardware Specs?? (Score:2, Funny)
Wow! Gosh!
Nothing like a Knight Rider-style light thingy to get my money!
--
Forget the bells and whistles. Can it sing?
StrongArm going obsolete (Score:3, Informative)
This is new?? (Score:3, Informative)
The 3500 and 3700 models were announced before Christmas too...
The sites have been available since I've gotten it, and they're released new versions of Linupy twice since I've had it.
Check out www.yopydeveloper.org [yopydeveloper.org]. Many useful opensource downloads for the Yopy. Several of which I contributed (porting ogg123, for example
It's a pretty decent platform.
Size Matters (Score:3, Funny)
Um, did I miss the point... (Score:2)
...or is this supposed to be something cool for the Linux/OSS world? If so, why does a precusrory glance at the download page yield only Windows .zip files? Does this machine connect to and communicate with a Linux desktop? Even more important (from my POV) is would it do the same on a FreeBSD box?
Don't get me wrong, they look really cool, but these are, IMO, the machine's main selling points. If they lack support in this area, you might as well forget it because there's going to be some very disappointed
Mobile phone CF card anyone? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Fabled? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:It sounds good but (Score:5, Funny)
No, it's fully functional.
Re:It sounds good but (Score:3, Funny)
Based on the content, I suspect the original posters IP address might originate lie within the address space allocated to... Soviet Russia! [1]
YLFI.
[1] Sorry!
http://yopy.com/english/products/yp3700_features.h (Score:2, Informative)
-----
* Folder like Design
- Innovative and Attractive Design
- Extreme Portability
- Screen Protection from scratch or break
* Excellent Hardware Specs
- Fast Operation (206Mhz) and Big Memory (128MB RAM/32 MB ROM)
- 2300mAh Li-ion Polymer Battery
- MMC Slot and IrDA port
- Outstanding 65,536 color TFT LCD
- Colorful LED Indicator
- CF-II Slot
* Convenient Keypad
- Performing/Ending/Editing Programs with Keypad
- Same arrangement
http://yopy.com/english/products/yp3700_software.h (Score:2, Informative)
---
This is the background of the YP3700. You can change the background with a photo or picture you like for your taste
---
PIMS
Task
Memo
Schedule
Diary
Contact
PIMS Backup
Multimedia
MP3 Player
Painter
Recorder
YOPY Office
Text Edit
YOPY Sheet
YOPY Word
YOPY Viewer
Game
Sokoban
Freecell
Solitaire
XRick
Utility
Package Manager
Calculator
Wallpaper
IrDA
Xterm
Network
Internet Browser
Re:heck (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Tungsten C (Score:2)
Some people want to use as much open source as possible. They would rather have a slower unit that agrred with there beliefs, then a fast spify one that would cause them to compromise there principles.
Re:Tungsten C (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:damn! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Yopy review... (Score:2)
Quick Dell Axim review. (Score:2)
The thing I like most about them, the long battery life - I get 6-8 hours of ALWAYS on use with the 802.11b card with the standard battery, and 13+ hours of constant with
Re:How is this better than a Zaurus? (Score:2)
3700 vs Z (5600) vs 3500 vs Z 5500
RAM: 128 / 32 / 128 / 64 (default 32 usable)
Proc: all but 5600 have 206MHz Strongarm (5600=400MHz Xscale*)
ROM: 32 / 64 / 32 / 16 (by default it is real rom)
Expand: CF,MMC / CF,SD / MMC / CF,SD
Price: 500 / 450 / 450 / 200
*note: Xscale had a big cache bug for a while, which means that either you lose speed or you potentially lose stability. PXA250 has it, PXA255 doesn't, and with the bug (and correction is to turn off most on-cpu cache), a 206MHz Strong