Would You Like Some Linux on Your PDA?

Most people know that you can flash Linux onto an iPaq (see handhelds.org), but very few know that you can flash Linux onto some Palm devices. You can, thanks to Linux DA.

Linux DA provides a set of core PIM replacement applications as well as a few extra applications including a graphics application and conduits to desktop applications in Windows.

I haven't tried Linux DA so I can't tell you how well the replacement applications work. I also can't tell you how easy it is to find or build additional applications (although I suspect it's fairly difficult to find them). However, I can tell you that for Palm IIIx, IIIxe, and Vx owners, Linux DA offers an inexpensive way to test drive Linux on a PDA at only $40.

The alternative is to purchase a device running Linux out of the box. There are now several of these devices available including the Agenda, the new Sharp Zaurus, the new Yopy from G-Mate, and new PDAs from Linux DA based on Palm hardware.

Essentially, the Linux DA PDAs, available in the III form factor and shortly also the V form factor, offer a combination of Palm-like hardware running Linux DA O/S out of the box. At $99 for the III form factor and $149 for the Vx equivalent, these devices are on par or cheaper than their equivalents running Palm OS.

The only Linux PDA I've used in the Sharp Zaurus 5000-D, a developer's version of the upcoming Zaurus 5500. Although pretty nice from a hardware perspective, the developer's version leaves much to be desired from a usability and interface standpoint. I'd be very interested in seeing how the Yopy and the Linux DA devices stack up. I'm particularly interested in the Linux DA PDAs as they are monochrome and in general I prefer the extra battery life and clearer screens of a good monochrome device to the short battery life and pixelated color screens I've seen.

One thing is certain - Linux on the PDA is making a bid to become mainstream. Whether re-flashable Familiar ROMs for iPaqs or Linux DA ROMs for Palms or dedicated out-of-the-box Linux devices, more and more PDAs are starting to run Linux. As a long time Palm user, I say cool, but I also feel the need to remind these companies not to fall into the trap of just porting desktop applications to a PDA. Redesign for the smaller screen and you just might succeed.

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