More mylo deets emerge, Linux is under the hood

Now that we've recovered from the initial surprise of Sony's mylo announcement, we're starting to get a few more details on its functionality. Turns out the teeny device is powered by an unspecified version of embedded Linux (possibly from Wind River), with a graphics and application framework provided by Trolltech's Qtopia platform. There's also Java Virtual Machine support, which seems to give homebrewers plenty of options for creating apps for the device -- if Sony hasn't locked things down too tightly. As for that QVGA 2.4-inch screen, Sony is packing in MP4 video support, so ready-to-go videos shouldn't be hard to find. There's also MP3, ATRAC and WMA to round out format support. While the mylo dodges that main Nokia 770 bullet by packing a QWERTY keyboard, Sony's device suffers from a hefty pricetag for its younger target audience, a notable omission of AIM and Windows Live Messenger, and a lack of explicit gaming or 3rd party support. Still, those WiFi and Linux specs hint at a lot of potential, so we're sure that this thing can manage to be a bit more than another Skype handset.

[Taylor Alexander @ Aug 10th 2006 4:08PM]

If it runs Linux, don't they have to open up the source?
-Taylor

[Richard @ Aug 10th 2006 4:18PM]

"There's also Java Virtual Machine support, which seems to give homebrewers plenty of options for creating apps for the device -- if Sony hasn't locked things down too tightly."

Gee, Sony locking things down to prevent 3rd Party Developers from adding to their hardware??

That's absolute hogwash! ;)

[dextro @ Aug 10th 2006 4:20PM]

Just as an example taylor: tivo uses linux and it still doesn't locks the software down :S

[eggsalad @ Aug 10th 2006 4:21PM]

Does this mean any Qtopia app will run?

[Nahir @ Aug 10th 2006 4:24PM]

Yahoo messenger is compatiable with windows live messenger so I dont really think its that bad that it got left out.

[NHA @ Aug 10th 2006 4:27PM]

Pretty nice but need a price cut and AIM support.

[Tech^CF @ Aug 10th 2006 4:27PM]

Taylor, this is how I understood linux licensing:
Only changes to GPL and Open Source with similar licences. If they don't alter that code and ads code they have written themself, they don't have to release anything.

If they change gpl/os code, they have to release it to the community so that everybody gains from it.

[maff @ Aug 10th 2006 4:38PM]

It's a real shame it's not widescreen, what a weird one from sony!

[Owen @ Aug 10th 2006 4:45PM]

they should take a samsung VGA display from below and put that in here, then I'd be interested

[Jason @ Aug 10th 2006 4:58PM]

Can the N770 and this get together with a bottle of WINE and birth the device we all want? :P

800x600 + WiFi + BT + 4GB flash card + thumboard + OSS + Audio/video player + Web browser + ebooks + RSS + long battery life.

[Tony Rayo @ Aug 10th 2006 5:05PM]

No, the simple answer is even if they are using the linux kernel (which is different from the OS itself), they are not under any obligation to release the source code. There are many closed-source linux-based projects, esp. for embedded systems. I think I will avoid this device and I don't see it selling well, but for the sake of Sony I hope it does because I'd like to see them suceed (mostly to be able to devert more funds into improving the PS3 platform =).

- Tony R.

[Kamalot @ Aug 10th 2006 5:17PM]

This thing is going to be locked down just like the PSP. Boooo. :(

[JoeWoah @ Aug 10th 2006 5:19PM]

This thing needs a hard drive to compete with the Ipod, if it had one, it could certainly be a contender. It could take on Zune too.

... or, make the thing into a cell phone (and throw a 3MP camera in there too). It does nothing a current cell phone (minus wifi) or a PSP (minus linux and keyboard) can't do now.

This thing is so close to being something useful and a killer app. As it is right now, it's just there, filling no one's niche - not gaming or computing or music/video or skype. It does almost everything completely half-assed.

[korey @ Aug 10th 2006 5:28PM]

If this thing gets AIM consider it bought or there becomes some 3rd party high quality aim support for this,I will totally shell out the dough.

[james @ Aug 10th 2006 5:40PM]

Why would they lock this down? They don't sell games for it to make up the loss on the hardware. I don't see any reason to lock it down... but WILL they? I bet they do.

[pvilleSE @ Aug 10th 2006 5:47PM]

Even if you can homebrew this thing I will not buy it after my hash disappointment of buying a PSP almost immediately and then being disappointed with its lockdown and failure to support more than 4gigs of memory. I used to be a loyal Sony customer but I am no longer. Just open up the PSP, don't make another expensive device to fill the niche all of us bought PSP's for.

[Tony Rayo @ Aug 10th 2006 5:59PM]

pvilleSE I guess you gave up on the PSP too early. Recent firmware fixed problems with larger memory sticks and the PSP will accept any size that can be produced now and in the future. This is seen everywhere in gaming (i.e., many recent PC games have patches released before the game even hits retail). If you do not have a decent amount of patience you will find a lot of annoyences in the gaming world today in general. The whole point of the PSP's upgradable firmware is to improve it's functionality. If you look at the launch PSP's firmware compared to today it's a totally different system (that's partly why the Xbox 360 is doing so well and it will no doubt be a large part of the PS3 and at least somewhat a part of the Wii).

- Tony R.

[Yem @ Aug 10th 2006 6:16PM]

My understanding is that they would have to release any GPL code or code which is linked to GPL code - if requested. However there is a grey area around GPL code which then dynamically loads binary code for execution - that extra part does not have to be released. Presumably this is how nvidia and ATI get away with their drivers.

Even then, there wouldn't necessarily be any obligation to open up the applications, the GUI framework or the inevitable DRM systems. Just because the kernel is open doesn't mean "home-brew" is feasible.

[Bob @ Aug 10th 2006 6:30PM]

I know there is no AIM functionality, but since it has the web, why not just go to meebo.com??? That seems like the obvious workaround to me...

[Rev. Otto @ Aug 10th 2006 8:36PM]

Sony is definitely the whipping dog of the moment. I'm interested in this device, if only for the fact that I support convergence. I was considering purchasing one of the new Skype enabled wi-fi phones, the Netgear Skype phone has an msrp of $299, and doesn't feature any of the goodies in the MYLO. I'm hoping that hacks will abound.

[x23 @ Aug 10th 2006 9:16PM]

so i should be able to like run OpenOffice and Firefox on it and everything right? cause that's what i hear will happen with the PS3 based entirely on the fact that it also contains Linux. sorta like how i was typing up a paper earlier today on my TiVo.

having Linux != being a PC replacement.

that said... the Mylo looks okay i guess. i liked the Ogo better. being able to use a cell network with a cheap IM/email/web machine seemed like a cool idea. this... being WiFi only... seems slightly less useful. though i suppose in a large office building or school campus that is fully blanketed in WiFi it could be useful. price is a bit steep though.

[bigshynepo @ Aug 10th 2006 10:34PM]

Widescreen for this device is a MUST...I guess I'll wait for version 2. Maybe the PSP spoiled me...

However, I think this won't look that bad as a finished product in consumer hands (although kinda childish IMO). Although this compares with the OGO, I would much rather pay 350.00 for a Sony product with no monthly fee than pay 80.00 bucks for some "built as cheap as it possibly can be" handheld that charges you at least 14.99 a month to use. I can wait to see how this product evolves.

Way to go Sony! Someone has to lead the way.

[sfeng1 @ Aug 10th 2006 10:46PM]

reality check: 1mb ram

[Matthew Castillo @ Aug 10th 2006 11:06PM]

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to bring this comment thread back to reality....

WHAT IS THIS THING? I mean, honestly... What niche is this thing suppose to fill? I just don't understand how they expect to sell this thing at any significant volume. it doesn't seem to to be suited for anything more than JVM cell phone quality games, or some video watching. And with no IM client, this thing seems DOA to me.

Don't get me wrong, I do love alot of the crap they're shoving into this thing, and with a linux kernel, hacks will no doubt be abound. We'll just have to wait and see how they market this thing. I'm still on the fence, wondering if they will at all.

[Kevin M. @ Aug 10th 2006 11:54PM]

Mee wantee!

[nick @ Aug 11th 2006 2:55AM]

to matthew castillo

There are multiple IM clients built into it. One of the main reasons im buying it is because i live in a city where there is always an open wi-fi acces point and I dont want to take my laptop with me everywhere. I have a psp to pretty much just play games, a cell phone to make calls, an ipod to listen to music, and a laptop for the rest of my computing needs. I cant't or don't want to always carry around a huge backpack just so I can get online. This allows me to go online for free and make skype calls, most of my friends have skype on there computers allowing me to talk to them easily if I don't feel like IMing them. I don't really need it, but will probably use it. That was a pretty messy comment but the simplest way I cna put it is because nothing else does what it does in the way that it does making it convient for me.

[eva @ Aug 11th 2006 4:32AM]

I am a regular linux user and I have used Ekiga, a open source version of Skype and works PERFECT. There're are also many open source app with linux to make possible use any messenger...
does not anybody knows that yet?? shame..
i agree sony should cut down the price. but i still think i would wait a bit and see wot happen with it before buying it.
eva-

[tekdroid @ Aug 11th 2006 4:36AM]

$30 to the first person who hacks it for FLAC playback :)

[jake @ Aug 11th 2006 8:08AM]

that diagram has no business being 3D.

[Wibby @ Aug 11th 2006 8:29AM]

There is a video review/preview here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koQFjKwVFB0

[Galley @ Aug 11th 2006 10:13AM]

How can a device support MPEG-4 video, but not MPEG-4 audio (AAC)?

[Zeke @ Aug 11th 2006 1:06PM]

Um... guys...
It may not have AIM or MSN, but it does have Google Talk. Which means that jabber support isn't long away...

[flash-nds @ Aug 12th 2006 5:16PM]

Making a device to directly compete with 2-3 other devices that a company is already making? Why? why not improve the ones that are already on the market?

[Jay @ Aug 14th 2006 4:22AM]

Does anyone know or have a guess who has actually developed the Linux OS? I doubt that they did it themselves.

[redanium @ Feb 19th 2008 9:43PM]

the provider of mylo's OS is torlltech (os:Qtopia) and i think there are some guys working on this device to maybe (i hope) make it useful (open the system).