ROAD keeps their Linux Handy-PC concept alive

Announced way back in February 2005, ROAD has been promising this Handy-PC Linux dreamphone of theirs for a while now, and even stated in late 2005 that they'd have it out by Q1 2006. Well, it still hasn't materialized, but their new concept version of the phone looks a tad snazzier and a bit more for-reals. The specs haven't really gone anywhere, it's still a QWERTZ clamshell with Bluetooth, WiFi, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and a 640 x 240 display. When closed the unit acts like a slightly chunky candybar (pictured after the break) -- ala Nokia 9300 -- with a 102 x 65 monochrome display. What's new is a fleshed out Qtopia GUI (the Handy-PC was still running Windows screenshots back when we saw it last), which looks functional, if a tad busy. The device is powered by a 400MHz Xscale CPU, and comes in two flavors: the S101 and S101K, the latter of which adds a 2 megapixel camera and encryption of some sort. You can "advance order" your very own Handy-PC right now, but since there's no word on when it will be available, or for how much, we figure we're in for a bit of a wait yet.

[Via El Reg]

[Terral @ Aug 18th 2006 3:05PM]

Looks promising. I wonder if this will ever be released in the USA?

[Johnny @ Aug 18th 2006 3:06PM]

Zaz! Zo, I maz buz mz own ROAD, zet the crayz German kezboard maz not be the best waz for me to tzpe. Still -- prettz niftz!

[PEZ @ Aug 18th 2006 3:16PM]

if you head to the site, its a QWERTY PC compatible layout.

this pic would be from the "K" version.

[Rekutyn @ Aug 18th 2006 3:23PM]

I'll stick with my blackberry.

[PEZ @ Aug 18th 2006 3:29PM]

if you head to the site, its a QWERTY PC compatible layout.

this pic would be from the "K" version.

[korey @ Aug 18th 2006 3:35PM]

kool im not really skilled in the linux dept. though, ill stick with my 7290

[Emm @ Aug 18th 2006 3:40PM]

The QWERTZ-keyboard should't be that hard of a nut to crack. Replacing the function of keys is no problem. And once you've done that, you can just pop the Y an Z out and replace them. Voila!

[Jeff Foster @ Aug 18th 2006 3:58PM]

BOOO stupid GSM.

(hurray beer!)

[Jiggabyte @ Aug 18th 2006 4:22PM]

Wow. A "keyboard" that's a mess of similar-size/shape buttons, and a UI that screams "Windows 95". Sign me up!

Guys, the taskbar/tray concept is cluttered on a 640x480 desktop PC--what the hell makes you think it's appropriate on a screen of smaller resolution!? Those tabs on the top waste a lot of space, too. Widescreen is great--when you use it appropriately. Take advantage of that wide aspect and put tabs, palettes, etc. on the side(s)!

As for the keyboard, there are several keys that don't need to be there. The "designers" (most likely engineers that have never studied ergonomics and psychology) need to go back to simplicity school.

Oh, wait, this thing runs Linux, so its target audience is a group that likes things uglier and more complicated than necessary...

[dennis parrott @ Aug 18th 2006 4:37PM]

hmmm... if verizon had one of these, i think i'd bite. i bet linux would be better at being able to consistently answer my calls than my pocket pc is... the number of times windows says "unable to answer the call" is seriously perturbing.

the idea that i could fold into a candybar phone and just use it like a phone is pretty attractive too... and since its linux, i'd bet there are decent programming tools for it out there somewhere...

[joe @ Aug 18th 2006 6:10PM]

that is sick. if it has wifi/bluetooth and all the features it *should* have then i'll definitely shell on the green for it.

[Marc Tew @ Aug 18th 2006 6:24PM]

If its Linux does that mean it would be Open Source? surely if it is made open the company opens themselves up to a world of security issues, and technical support issues through people 'tinkering' and breaking it? its bad enough to make things work when its all locked down!

[doc @ Aug 18th 2006 8:15PM]

ROFLMAO @ #2

[Jordan @ Aug 18th 2006 9:16PM]

I already sent them an email but haven't heard back :(

[Adam J @ Aug 18th 2006 9:46PM]

The layout of the inside of the thing reminds me of the layout of the old Psion 5 palmtops whose maker later became Symbian of mobile phone fame.

[ethana2 @ Aug 19th 2006 12:28AM]

Linux means there's a world of non-corporate-jerk people able to perfect it. And I don't want another cell until it can do everything a laptop can. I'm afraid that I'll have to get a TI calc though. Friggin school regulations. What a waste. Dedicated hardware. Bachch! At least a TI and most phones can run a lot of apps. But man. When M$ and all them die, Linux will be what does it. And don't think the RIAA and MPAA can escape the will of the people either. Go GNU!

[Andrew Coleman @ Aug 19th 2006 1:37AM]

I would replace my Treo with one of these.

[maurizio @ Oct 3rd 2006 9:07AM]

Ciao, vorrei sapere dove posso acquistare road s101? grazie.