Mobile Phone with PC running Linux 2.6 191
A8 writes "There is a new toy (aka the S101) around the corner from a German company called Road GmbH. Looks like the Nokia Communicator, but is a little PC with GSM, GPRS, IrDA, Bluetooth, WLAN -- you name it, running Linux 2.6/Qtopia! Sorry seems like the page is in German only." There are also versions based on the same hardware but running Windows CE and Symbian.
Keyboard like the Psion 5? (Score:4, Interesting)
Translation (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Translation (Score:4, Funny)
Great keyboard! (Score:4, Insightful)
For those of us... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:For those of us... (Score:2)
After stumbling through it with my high-school Deutsch, I find in the first reply that there was an English page all along. Oh, well; it's useful to maintain some semblance of an ability to read a few other languages, even if I do live in the US.
ROAD runner? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:ROAD runner? (Score:1)
Indeed it does; we have here a phone running Linux 2.6.x which lists "MS Outlook" as a part of its software collection. Mis-marketing any which way you look at it.
No, it doesn't say Outlook is part of the software (Score:2)
- PC-Synchronisation MS-Outlook
Even the English version of their page is somewhat poorly translated, but it's pretty obvious they mean you can synchronize with Outlook, not that it INCLUDES outlook.
They also say there's viewers for office documents - don't confuse that with "Includes Microsoft Office."
Re:No, it doesn't say Outlook is part of the softw (Score:2)
Yeah, I noticed that. But then, why would a sensible person want to produce proprietary documents? I'd much rather produce documents in a format that can be read by anyone that I send them to, without first checking to see if they have decoding software.
Re:No, it doesn't say Outlook is part of the softw (Score:2)
Re:ROAD runner? (Score:2)
I believe this is quite possible...
That doesn't nullify skepticism about vapourware, though :)
Re:ROAD runner? (Score:4, Informative)
Products have been announced for the fourth quarter of 2005.
Hans Constin is also director of Constin GmbH [constin.de] at the same address.
Re:ROAD runner? (Score:1)
http://www.road-gmbh.de/en/impressum/index.html [road-gmbh.de]
Re:ROAD runner? (Score:2)
Re:ROAD runner? (Score:1, Funny)
http://www.road-gmbh.de/impressum/index.
Viel Glück with your German knowledge while on the phone!
PS: I think it's a fake as well, but hey, they have an address...
Re:ROAD runner? (Score:2, Informative)
The Windows CE and Symbian versions (Score:2)
I'll be interested to see how this competes with Nokia's Communicators. It doesn't seem to offer any new features, so it might have to compete on price.
Re:The Windows CE and Symbian versions (Score:3, Informative)
Re:The Windows CE and Symbian versions (Score:3, Insightful)
A CE license in our miniscule volumes was about $50 (again, I don't remember exactly), which might be consid
Thanks for the info (Score:2)
Advantages of Linux (Score:2)
Re:Advantages of Linux (Score:4, Insightful)
If you don't already understand the whole "Linux" appeal, I doubt you'd find anything particularly appealing about a Linux-powered phone.
For the most part, I think the appeal is the ability to tinker with it, add software that wouldn't be intended, and various other 'geeky' things that most consumers wouldn't give a damn about. It would give the sysadmin type a great deal of mobile administration ability. If you don't grok grep and pine for sed, there's not a perl of wisdom I can give you which would likely make you see the significance.
Additionally, since it uses Opie, there's a lot of available software out there for the device already. Much of it is 'geeky' software, but as a for instance: you'd be able to emulate PalmOS without any problems, provided you had the ROMs. I don't know if this is possible with WinCE, though, so it might not be all that 'special'.
This particular device looks fairly useful to me, and that's saying a lot, as I tend to thing such things are just trendy toys. The existence of the SD slot is definately nice, as it'd allow you to use this device for quite a few things, including a portable MP3 player. It's got a built-in keyboard which - while not full-size, is a hell of a lot bigger than those on other chick-key keyboards.
Re:Advantages of Linux (Score:2)
But consumers care a great deal about the things those tinkerers come up with. Example: Firefox.
Re:Advantages of Linux (Score:5, Insightful)
To the user it probably has no advantages at all. You won't even notice it's Linux.
To the manufacturer it's just the usual freedom/free beer thing.
Re:Advantages of Linux (Score:2)
But other then that, the Linux "Qt" PDA GUI has been used in Sharp PDA's and others, and provides most if not all (or more?) of what you'd find on a Windows CE based device.
Re:Advantages of Linux (Score:1)
When normal people think windows mobile they think the pow
Re:Advantages of Linux (Score:2)
Re:Advantages of Linux (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Advantages of Linux (Score:3, Insightful)
Potentially lots more software than for any of the other platforms: it's the same kernel and APIs as on the desktop (not true for any of the other phone platforms), and there is lots of Linux software that runs on small screens and limited memory (due to the age and previous uses of UNIX).
Re:Advantages of Linux (Score:2)
Linux for handhelds? (Score:3, Insightful)
For less than this, you could get palm or windows devices that are fully functional. Until there is a free handheld environment, we can't just say "stick linux on it".
--
Dogs are annoying. Go ECFA. Buy a K9Zap today.
Re:Linux for handhelds? (Score:2)
I'm more interested in being able to synch up with Outlook or an equivalent app. Honestly, I don't care what OS it runs.
Re:Linux for handhelds? (Score:2)
What I noticed ... (Score:2)
I did also notice that the specs include 640x240 touchscreen. I wonder if you could use a random stylus with the screen? If so, what's the sensitivity? I do have a couple of those multi-gadget pens that include a stylus (plus pencil and red/black or red/blue pens). It'd be cool if you could use these. Of course, a stylus that hides inside the device woul
Re:What I noticed ... (Score:2)
This device is too small to be a real laptop. But you're right, it's too big to be a pocket device. It's one of those in-between devices I hate. Still, somebody must like them, 'cause there sure are a lot of them.
This is yet another all-in-one device, a category I hate. Do people actually want this? I suspect they exist solely because that's what wireless providers want to sell. The alt
Re:Linux for handhelds? (Score:2)
Re:Linux for handhelds? (Score:5, Informative)
Good call Anonymous Moron...
There's no good Open Source mini-browsers like Konqueror Embedded [konqueror.org], Dillo [dillo.org], or (GUI) Links2 [mff.cuni.cz]. Which is too bad, because the universe would colapse on itself if you used a non-open source browser (such as Opera) on Linux, just like every other embedded device ever made.
And you're sure to need good handwriting recognition on a device with a full keyboard... An on-screen keyboard (which most PDA users use) like xkbd couldn't possibly be good enough. And someone that wanted handwriting recognition couldn't possibly adapt one of the open source Linux OCR programs to suit this purpose...
english translation [google] (Score:5, Informative)
Technical features
Software
- standard applications
- GSM telephone with SMS/MMS
- PIM also
* Directory
* Appointment calendar
* Tasks
- pocket calculators
- dictating machine
- indication program
- MP3 Player
- PC synchronisation Ms Outlook
- remote ACCESS
- InterNet Browser
- email client (POP and IMAP), repeated accounts
- Office Viewer (Ms Word, Ms Excel, Adobe pdf)
[Customized applications]
- cryptology (only S101K)
- Business applications for direct access to firm servers
- Providerspezifi on-line services
[Operating system]
- LINUX Kernel 2.6.x
- Qtopia Graphic user interface
[Hardware]
- GSM telephone
* Display: LCD mono chrome 102x65 pixel
* Keyboard: 20 keys standard layout
* Acoustic output over earphones or free speech mechanism
- PC
* Display: Color TFT 640x240 pixel with Touchscreen
* Keyboard: 63 keys PC-compatible layout
- Diktiergeraet/Audioplayer
* 4 separate keys for control
* Rendition over loudspeakers/earphones
- camera (optional)
* 2 megapixels
Actual working time
- GSM telephone: actively 4h, standby 240h
- PC: actively 5h, standby 30 days (GSM telephone switched off)
Konnektivitaet
- wireless: GSM quadband (850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz) with EDGE
* WLAN
* Bluetooth
* IRDA infrared modules
- wire-bound
* USB 2,0, mini USB socket
* SD Card base
* Power supply unit 5V DC, RK 1A
* Telephone Headset or stereo earphone
[Interior life]
- CCU Intel Xscale PXA 263 with 400 MHz
- memory 64MB RAM, 64MB Flash
- Akku lithium polymer 1500mAh, load time 3h
- vibration alarm
[General data]
- weight 210g inclusive Akku
- dimensions 128x60x25m
Ah memories... (Score:5, Funny)
I do. Good times.
Re:Ah memories... (Score:1, Interesting)
Then you can bitch when it gets nicked and not only do you lose the phone, but you lose the stuff you've been working on earlier in the day because you were out of the office, etc.
Re:Ah memories... (Score:2)
I decry these new-fangled machines that let you toss in the clo
Re:Ah memories... (Score:3)
I agree that mobile phones are a progress for certain people who travel a lot and have to be reachable (like service technicians e.g.) but cameras, games, ringtones and all that other shit companies put into "modern
Re:Ah memories... (Score:2)
Yep, and now I have a ton of extra pocket space!
Those "old good times" you paird $500 for nothing (Score:1)
Re:Ah memories... (Score:3, Insightful)
I remember the absolutely atrocious low-frequency ringtones which would set me on edge every time someone's phone would ring (at least the new 'personalized' ringtones have a fuller frequency). I remember the shitty quality signals and the battery life which required the phone to be recharged after about 8 hours of in-pocket use and maybe 20 minutes of talk time. I remember having to cart around a huge brick which took horribly grainy photos if I wanted to use a digital camera.
Re:Ah memories... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Ah memories... (Score:1)
It's called flight mode. All smartphones in the last 2-3 years have it.
Surur
Re:Ah memories... (Score:2)
I do. Good times.
Re:Ah memories... (Score:1)
Re:Ah memories... (Score:2)
Re:Ah memories... (Score:3, Insightful)
Keyboard has a "Windows" key (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Keyboard has a "Windows" key (Score:2)
*Everybody* has a Windows Key (Score:2)
Re:Keyboard has a "Windows" key (Score:2)
Re:Keyboard has a "Windows" key (Score:2)
Outlook Express (Score:2, Interesting)
some developer's wet dream (Score:2)
Re:some developer's wet dream (Score:2)
It might also be a way to pump money out of some investors.
They claim availability of Symbian OS, which seems rather fishy to me. They can't be shipping w/ Nokia S80 variant (because Nokia aren't licensing it), and I don't believe Psion is going to license their UI kit either. They definitely aren't going to be implementing the software themselves, it's tons of work even for a giant like N
Power use (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Power use (Score:1, Informative)
But basically anything that broadcasts a radio signal uses a lot of power.
Fishy (Score:2)
Which company in their right mind plans 3 models of a phone, with the only difference being the OS?
Re:Fishy (Score:1)
It's called being OS-agnostic. Not something most slashdotters would recognise
qwertz keyboard? (Score:1)
Re:qwertz keyboard? (Score:1)
Re:qwertz keyboard? (Score:2)
Re:qwertz keyboard? (Score:2)
-b0lt
Re:qwertz keyboard? (Score:2)
I ask myself that every day.
Oh great... (Score:4, Funny)
Never! (Score:4, Insightful)
Calm down with the "Vapourware" talk. (Score:3, Informative)
But the specs have been announced, you can email the company about pre-ordering, and it's getting some decent coverage. Plus the fact it looks pretty cool (the screen may have been photoshopped, but the model looks like a prototype).
Usually I like to give a product more than 72 hours before denouncing it as "Vapourware".
Now, about the 1400 Euro pricetag
Issues: Size and GSM (Score:1)
The ROAD is 128x60x25mm
I abandoned my belt holster three years ago when I shifted to the Samsung. Qualitatively, the ROAD is on the bleeding edge of being too large to keep in your pocket if you wear guy-type casual clothes. I guess it's back to wearing the phone in a belt holster if I move to the ROAD.
On the other hand, 128mm looks like an absolute minimum width for a QWERTY keyboard, and
Re:Issues: Size and GSM (Score:3, Informative)
The US has GSM already, you just need to switch networks and/or move to another state.
But for a phone with these specs looking to release in almost a year's time, I'm surprised they're going with GSM rather than WCDMA, or is Germany that far behind in 3G rollout?
Re:Issues: Size and GSM (Score:2)
Re:Issues: Size and GSM (Score:2)
Sprint also uses CDMA. So does Tracfone and Alltel.
IIRC, Japan also largely uses CDMA...
My Nokia 6225 is pretty damn small, FWIW.
Linux? (Score:1)
MÄrvelØus (Score:2, Funny)
Finally a Cell Phone you can use to type viking names without knowing the ASCII codes.
it will contain TWO arm processors (Score:4, Interesting)
- GSM-Telefon: aktiv 4h, standby 240h
- PC: aktiv 5h, standby 30 Tage (GSM-Telefon ausgeschaltet)
that translates into "one ARM to run the GSM, one ARM to run the PDA". thank god there isn't one ARM to rule them all and one to get them and little toto too, is all i can say.
anyway.
the first is as shown, the Intel PXA 263 running at 400 Mhz.
these devices are approx $30 in volume quantities, and after your 400% to 1000% markup, minus the expected subsidies, would result in a price tag of oh around £70 in stores (_if_ it was running the GSM phone bit on its own, but nobody would buy it because...)
this processor it will be possible to place into "suspend/sleep" mode, to conserve battery life, which would otherwise be drained in a ridiculously short period of time.
the second processor will be an ARM 7, 8 or 9 processor, running at an _absolute_ maximum of 100mhz, consuming sufficiently little power to provide the talk-times and standby-times we expect.
these processors are oh around $20 in volume, and after your 400% to 1000% markup minus subsidies, you're looking at a price tag on the phone of "free" or £10-£20 (_if_ you didn't have the second processor)
put TWO of these processors into one device, and your subsidies mysteriously disappear or become insignificant.
result: a price tag of £200 if you get one of these types of phones [XDA-2, MDA-3, one of these german phones, doesn't matter] with a hefty per-month guaranteed usage contract, or £400 if you buy it without any subsidies.
those 400 to 1000% markups are a _real_ kicker when you get these two-processor PDA+phone jobs.
i'd _love_ to see a linux phone running on just one of these 100Mhz ARM processors, not this oh-we-must-put-two-processors-in-it crap.
Re:it will contain TWO arm processors (Score:2)
if dual-core ARM processors were, say $35 in volume, it'd be a different story.
comparison to Communicator? (Score:2, Insightful)
I dont see the point of S101 as it isnt any lighter or smaller than 9500. OK, it runs Linux, but so what, using keyboard that small is excercise in futillity anyway..
What it has as a big plus is to
Re:comparison to Communicator? (Score:2)
A much better deal if you can do without the camera & Wifi of the Nokia 9500.
http://nokia.com/phones/9300 [nokia.com]
http://nokia.com/phones/9500 [nokia.com]
Is the stylus dead? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Is the stylus dead? (Score:2)
"Zaphod," he drawled, "great to see you, you're looking well, the extra arm suits you. Nice ship you've stolen."
Re:Is the stylus dead? (Score:2)
Re:Is the stylus dead? (Score:2)
Cool! (Score:2)
it's fake (Score:3, Interesting)
Motorola makes several Linux-based cell phones that are apparently quite nice. Otherwise, the Nokia 9300 and 9500 are great little cell phones with a decent operating system (Symbian).
Personal Area Network (Score:2)
More Linux Mobile Phones (Score:2)
English website (Score:2, Informative)
VoIP (Score:2, Insightful)
Use WLAN to make cheap calls and GSM for backup if there is no WLAN available.
Re:Photo (Score:2)
That screenshot is so small it might just be any decent mailclient.
And besides, TFA merely states it can talk with outlook for synchronization...
Re:Photo (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Photo (Score:1)
Re:Photo (Score:2)
Look more closely. [road-gmbh.de]
Re:Photo (Score:2)
Still CLEARLY a mock-up, though. If this [road-gmbh.de] (the other picture they had) doesn't look like a mock-up, I don't know what does.
Re:[OT] What is GmbH (Score:4, Informative)
Re:[OT] What is GmbH (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Why? (Score:2)
You're quite simply wrong. Windows CE/Smartphone stuff is actually less efficient in many areas than Linux. For one, the use of XIP (which MS seems to prefer) for most applications eats a lot of flash and cuts down on performance. A typical PocketPC image is generally much larger than a Qtopia and Bu