The combination of Java and Linux seems to be capturing
imaginations, as this piece alludes to it yet again. The burning
question, though, is whether Linux will dent the entrenched PalmOS
market, or put the brakes on the growing popularity of
PocketPC:
"Linux is usually first to deploy new Internet
standards for a wide range of functions from connectivity to
security to messaging," Prince told Wireless NewsFactor. "These new
standards will be rapidly implemented on Linux-based PDAs far in
advance of proprietary systems from Palm or Microsoft."
Typical Internet options may not give Linux that edge, but when
the features get fancy, things change. And new Java functionality
may give Linux the advantage.
"Next-generation Linux PDA implementations are generally
layering a Java virtual machine on top of Linux, enabling a wide
range of cross-platform Java apps to run on Linux PDAs," Prince
said."