TurboLinux's Wizpy: bootable Linux on a PMP

We've all seen plenty of Linux computers on a stick before, right? But check the TurboLinux Wizpy which brings all that portable Linux PC and USB mass storage goodness wrapped inside a DivX capable MP3 player. The Wizpy features a 1.7-inch OLED display, 4GB of flash memory, an FM radio, and additional support for OGG/WMA/AAC formats. It comes pre-loaded with Turbolinux Fuji and a smattering of apps such as Firefox, Thunderbird, Skype and ATOK input for Japan -- chewing up about 1.5GB of the total capacity -- turning just about any host into your personal Linux PC complete with cookies and customizations. The device measures in at 60-grams / 84×42×12.2mm which is about the length and width of the iPod nano but nearly twice as thick. Another model with an SD card slot is in the chute but won't be ready in time for initial launch this February when the Wizpy hits Japan for an expected ¥30,000 or right around $254.

[Via Impress]

[Rick Lyon @ Nov 21st 2006 10:10AM]

Nice design concept, wonder how the actual device looks.

[Jonathan Cohen @ Nov 21st 2006 2:22PM]

The big question - without the Linux, how's the PMP video and music and interface?

Wouldn't it make more sense to get a cheap USB drive?

[CM @ Nov 21st 2006 2:56PM]

Does it have Wifi? If not, then why the web apps?

[John Stracke @ Nov 21st 2006 4:26PM]

The Linux doesn't run on the Wizpy; it's a bootable USB drive that contains a copy of TurboLinux for a PC to use.

(I suppose the Wizpy might *also* run Linux, but the site doesn't seem to say so...unless it's hidden in the untranslatable Japanese.)

[Dave Pevsner @ Nov 21st 2006 7:20PM]

the SD version of this would be really nice. I was looking at stormblue A9+ and Sansa e200 series so I could get my memory expansion on. but this looks smooth, amd comes with bootable linux for the PC.

[Ron @ Nov 22nd 2006 3:01AM]

wi-fi capabilities would be sweet

[jessew @ Nov 26th 2006 4:36PM]

This would kinda be nice. But putting your own distro of choice onto it would be the best use. The thing is though, unless you have a kernal for each processor that you might use your going to miss out on alot of the processing power that the kernel takes advantage of. I guess it beats having to use the schools infested windows XP though...