From: Tony Williams 

Ad wrote:

>>> The point is simple, where others have a Linux kernel with a locked
>>> proprietary stack on top of it, this one is open, top to bottom.
>>
>
> Yup. It's what drew my attention. The Mobile phone will be the new
> PC....wait & watch.

The big question in the '90s was whether PDAs would turn into phones or
phones into PDAs. Looks like that question has been answered with the newer
smart phones, and I reckon the next step will be much tighter integration
of portable units and stationary hardware.

I'm still waiting for a decent phone/mp3 player hybrid though.

>
>> If they really mean that the whole phone stack is open source then
>> that's a big deal. In the past the phone stack was usually a magic
>> black box supplied by the hardware manufacturer, certified by the
>> relevant telecoms authority and Not To Be Touched.
>>
>
> Indeed. Mucho simpler for the hardware makers as well as they can do the
> base level port et voila les apps.

It wasn't so much the apps I was thinking of, more the lower level control
of the phone stack. I can see the big telcos being a bit leery of opening
up the RF side to random hackers. Spoofing phone ids is only the start.

>> Nothing beats having a real keyboard, even if it is tiny.
>>
>
> Bluetooth m'boy.....You can even get a full size keyboard if you
> like.....but if wireless keyboards & mice are too expensive for you
> then....it has USB & I believe USB mice & keyboards are now the std.

True enough, but you still have to carry around two gadgets. I prefer
having a keyboard integrated with the handheld, e.g. the old Sharp Zaurus,
which is still my PDA of choice and even runs Linux. I've often used it as
a portable xterm for troubleshooting on-site, and it plays Nethack too :)

--
Tony

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