best pocket sized computer?

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.

nokia n810 perhaps?

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

Datawind Ubisurfer.

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

Go here:

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