Sharp Demoing Clamshell-Shaped Zaurus Prototype

Ed Hardy · 10-03-2002, 09:59 AM

Sharp is demonstrating what might be a new Zaurus. It has a VGA screen, a keyboard, and runs Linux.

Read the full article at http://www.brighthand.com/article/Sh..._Zaurus_Demoed

Pinnacle · 10-03-2002, 10:10 AM

I like the looks of this a lot. If the weight and form are small, this could be a big winner. Sharp has a big task in advancing Linux in handhelds, up against the Palm and PPC heavyweights. But they seem to be advancing the OS at a fast pace, and by the looks of it...the hardware, as well, keeps getting better.

This could be the device those who desire the form factor of a HPC would choose...more of a laptop replacement. I personally think there is still a market for this form factor.

shmellon · 10-03-2002, 10:15 AM

Is there any mention of this device having a touch screen? It looks like there is a hinge, so that the screen might fold around and over itself, like the Sony NR series.

imported_mobileMike · 10-03-2002, 11:08 AM

This looks great. I now see a shift in the devices I will own.

NOW: Laptop - PocketPC - Small Bluetooth Cell Phone.

FUTURE: Desktop - This Handheld Linux PC - SmartPhone with bluetooth

I would get more features on the desktop than laptop at a reduced cost. I would probably run Linux like I do on my laptop now or maybe Mac OSX.

The handheld PC would give me more functionality than the PocketPC. PocketPCs are too big to fit in most pockets comfortably anyway so a slightly large device is OK. It must fit in a jacket pocket.

The SmartPhone would give me that extra data when I just want a phone. This is something I am sacrificing now with my Nokia 6310. This device could be either Microsoft or Symbian based but must support playing music.

I can't wait for some details.......

- mike

Scott R · 10-03-2002, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shmellon
Is there any mention of this device having a touch screen? It looks like there is a hinge, so that the screen might fold around and over itself, like the Sony NR series.

Yes, that's exactly what it appears to do. Notice the buttons on the side of the screen which would be at the bottom of the screen if used in standard PDA-orientation. This is exactly the kind of form factor that I've envisioned would be perfect for the next PDA. Well, almost. I think the device appears to be a bit big. By that I mean that the keyboard appears to be more of a Windows CE-style keyboard which would need to be used on a desk. IMO, this size keyboard is too much of a compromise. Too big to be able to use as a thumbboard (while standing), and too small to be comfortable to type on at a desk.

Still, hopefully it'll spur Palm on to do something similar. To have a good sized thumbboard, you want a device about the same width as the new Danger device.

Scott

imported_mobileMike · 10-03-2002, 11:48 AM

The Nokia 9200 series phone/PDA devices have a nice keyboard.

- mike

Pinnacle · 10-03-2002, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mobileMike
The Nokia 9200 series phone/PDA devices have a nice keyboard.

- mike

I agree. I could almost touch-type, kinda, on this keyboard when I owned one for a short time; once you get used to the size and create your own style of typing, you can get fairly fast. If this Sharp keyboard is similar size, it will do for many people.

imported_WolfUK · 10-03-2002, 02:36 PM

If only Psion had marketted their products ...

It is exactly this style of device that made me go back to Psions a few weeks ago after a couple of years in the Palm camp. A good keyboard and a decent sized (landscape) screen are key criteria for me so maybe this will become a viable sucessor for me to move to if they ever become available in the UK.

sub_tex · 10-03-2002, 02:41 PM

definitely.

I love this style pda.

If the screen does swivel and become a portrait mode pda as well then we have a great pda.

In my opinion it's the best of both worlds.

treynolds · 10-03-2002, 03:00 PM

This is what I have been hoping Sony would do for a long time, IF, as said above, the screen pivots back on itself and it can be used as a standard Portrait-mode PDA.

I would also be great if it was no bigger than the current Zarus. Since they mention a new technology that allows them to pack pixels in a twice the current density, one assumes that the screen is in the 4-4.5" diagonal range.

Tony