“..With PocketPC and PalmOS both rejected – not enough
differentiation from rival offerings; too high licence fees – the
answer is clear: a mix of its own Zaurus operating system, still
fairly popular on Sharp’s home turf, and Linux for overseas
markets.”
“Java will cement the two, courtesy of British embedded OS
developer Tao, which has licensed its Intent Java Technology
Edition to Sharp. Intent JTE is a fast, compact hybrid virtual
machine/just-in-time compiler optimised for embedded systems. It’s
also highly portable, reckons Tao, which is why Sharp can get it
running quickly on both the Zaurus OS and, later, Linux.”
“Java provides Sharp with a consistent API for application
developers to write to both versions of the new Zaurus PDA. The
Linux version will itself form the basis of three different models:
a wireless PDA-cum-phone for the European GSM market, and a
Palm-style PC accessory and a Sony Clié-style multimedia
handheld, both for the US.“