“Compaq Computer Corp.’s recent announcement of the Open
Handheld Program marks an important step toward bringing
open-source operating systems such as Linux and FreeBSD to handheld
devices –beginning with Compaq’s recently released iPaq
H3600. The project’s Web site, at www.handhelds.org, contains
the instructions, tools and software images required for installing
Linux on the H3600.”
“However, the installation process is still too immature to be
reliable, and installation can render the iPaq unusable. In
addition, there is currently no way to restore Windows CE to a
device once an alternative operating system has been installed.
Project developers are working on uninstall procedures.”
“The project will enable developers to take advantage of the
flexibility and openness of Linux to speed development of new
handheld applications. That flexibility and openness have largely
failed to dent the dominance of Windows-based software on the
desktop, but the still-young handheld space presents Linux
developers with plenty of opportunities. …although Compaq won’t
ship handhelds running Linux in the near future, handheld Linux
will soon find its way into the market anyhow. Acer America Corp.
has announced that Linux will power its upcoming Web pad, and
Samsung Electronics Inc. is preparing a Linux-powered handheld
device called Yopy.”