eWeek: Handheld makers are grasping for Linux

“Warming up to the idea that an open palm is better than a
clenched one, major computing companies are exploring the idea of
porting open-source operating systems to their handheld computing
platforms.“

“Compaq Computer Corp. this week began making available a port
of Linux for the company’s iPaq handheld devices. At the same time,
it is hosting a Web site, www.handhelds.org, dedicated to the
development of any open-source platform for handhelds….”

“Hewlett-Packard Co. also is seriously considering Linux for its
Jornada devices, which currently support only Microsoft platforms.
HP likes Linux because it handles multimedia applications well,
company officials say, and the fact that the operating system is
free means a lower price for the device. The company likely will
have a device that runs on Linux next year, according to officials
in Palo Alto, Calif.”

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