best pocket sized computer?

I've been searching for a few days for something i am starting to believe does not exist. a pda sized computer that will run linux and let me customize it.

The closest i have found is the open pandora gaming platform. This thing seems perfect..but alas, its vapor ware (at least until it stops being soon-to-be-released)

Does anyone know of a portable computer (smaller than 6 inches by 8 inches, so i can put it in my pocket) that has a qwerty keypad, and will run linux wihtout having to be hacked?

if not, whats the best portable system to get? Thanks much for any input

Reply to
smooshy
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The Sharp Zaurus products run Linux without being hacked, and there are a variety of after-market, open-source flash images for it. However, I think they were discontinued a while back.

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Grant
Reply to
Grant Edwards

nokia n810 perhaps?

Reply to
AZ Nomad

Also: I hear the palm pre has linux underneath it all. There's an SDK that can be downloaded that hopefully provides details.

Reply to
AZ Nomad

AZ Nomad wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@ip70-176-155-130.ph.ph.cox.net:

the n810 is looking really good, thanks much for pointing it out to me. has anyone used one of these? My ultimate goal is to be able to write my own apps for the device. the apps will need to access the net and access basic multimedia features. Does anyone know if the user has access to those features in the lil linux distro that comes with this?

Reply to
smooshy

Yes. I have one and I'm very happy with it.

Yes. You can get the toolchain and other bits you need (and much of the software it runs on is open source) at maemo.org.

- Philip

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Reply to
Philip Paeps

On Aug 16, 10:15=A0pm, AZ Nomad

I played with the emulator for this and was quite excited, but reading online about negative experiences with the hardware (screen cracks) and the local store confirming they'd seen the problems lead me to getting an HTC magic running android. Which is a pocket linux computer, but unfortunately one limited to user mode applications in either java, or native with a limited C library, or statically linked against a real one. The developer versions give you the ability to install your own build and thus change drivers and have root... the original HTC dream is available that way, magic so far is formally not though some of the google giveaway ones may be up for resale.

If palm solves the hardware problems and adds maybe a little gamepad type button to the front and a micro SD slot inside, it would be a great... especially if they do that without locking you out.

Reply to
cs_posting

The Palm Pre. And you can use it as a cellphone, as well ;-)

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Lew Pitcher

Master Codewright & JOAT-in-training | Registered Linux User #112576
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Reply to
Lew Pitcher

I use a NEO Freerunner, running some flavour of Debian on it.

It is fully customizable, as there are several distros for it, all are open with their toolchains.

I'm also waiting for it.

NEO doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard. I carry a bluetooth keyboard with me but there are also good virtual keyboards.

Be aware that Freerunner is not yet completely stable(almost completely), and you might need to use the terminal for some of the functions. But it has support for almost everything a developer wants: glibc, gtk+, sdl, python(plus pygtk), erlang

Reply to
Atilla

Nokia has made a range of such devices.

Rather nice too, I must say, but perhaps I'm biased as I have the privilege of working on such products for them.

Phil

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Reply to
Phil Carmody

Datawind Ubisurfer.

Runs Linux and has 30 hour per month free to use GPRS modem built into the price.

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I don't know if you can put your own Linux on it.

Reply to
7

Go here:

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they have reviues on a number of devices such as you are looking for

Reply to
wilderness medicine

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