* Wi-Fi-enabled Linux PDA for enterprises on the way, but not in time for Christmas
There was some recent good news for Linux PDA enthusiasts eager to get Sharp’s Zaurus into their corporate networks. Sharp recently announced a version of its Linux-based handheld aimed at the corporate market and packed with additional features, applications and network connectivity.
The Sharp Zaurus SL-6000 series of PDAs are souped-up versions of its SL-B500 model, which was first shown at LinuxWorld in 2002 and was released to the U.S. market this year. The three new gadgets include a four-inch screen, larger than the previous model, and run a 400-MHz Intel PXA255 processor, with 64M bytes of RAM and 25M bytes of available flash memory for storage. (The system actually has 64M bytes of flash, but uses 39M bytes for the operating system, applications and device drivers). The device will also include the popular mini keyboard from previous models, which can be slid open or closed inside the PDA’s case.
Key for corporate users is a Zaurus first – built-in 802.11b wireless capability as well as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, available in the high-end model (the SL-6000W). The second-tier SL-6000L includes Wi-Fi but no Bluetooth, and the low-end “N” model has no networking.
For applications, all the models include Hanacom Mobile Word, Mobile Sheet (a spreadsheet program), the Opera Web browser, as well as a mail program and personal calendar and contacts program.
The devices will be available in Japan at the end of this month, and will start at around $845. The PDAs are expected to be available in the U.S. sometime in 2004.
