LinuxPhone
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LiPS Forum finalizes Release 1.0 specifications -- take that, OHA
We've been waiting so long for the Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum to finalize something, we'd nearly given up hope. Turns out, all it took was a rousing announcement by Google and the formation of the Open Handset Alliance to get those gears a-turnin'. Okay, so maybe those events weren't the catalyst, but whatever the case, Release 1.0 is ready to rock. With the specifications finally complete, LiPS is hoping to "enable mobile industry players to achieve basic interoperability for applications and services deployed on Linux-based phones," and moreover, to allow services and compatible phones to be churned out even faster. Put simply, the entity "targets interoperability through real open standards and specifications, not de facto acceptance of single platform implementation." Bold though that may be, we certainly like the sound of it, and according to LiPS Executive Director Bill Weinberg, the next step is to "complete an RFP for a hardware reference platform" and hook up with a number of hardware vendors to get the ball rolling. Fight on, LiPS![Via LinuxDevices]
Grundig B700 crams Linux in a smartphone
Just as Grundig is no stranger to the cellphone realm, Linux has seen its fair share of smartphones too, and the B700 marks yet another mobile in which an open-sourced OS is at the helm. Boasting a respectably thin ten-millimeter frame, this handset packs a two-megapixel CMOS camera, MP3 / AAC / video playback, 2.4-inch 320 x 240 resolution display, 2.5-hours of minimum talk time (150+ hours on standby), EDGE / GSM quad-band connectivity, USB, Bluetooth, built-in FM tuner, 100MB of internal storage, and a microSD slot for loading up any excess media. Aside from looking slightly like an antiquated calculator when powered down, the B700 manages to include a POP3 email push client, handsfree speaker, voice recorder, and animated wallpapers as well. Unfortunately, there's no word on future pricing nor availability, but we have our doubts about this thing ever flourishing here in the States.[Via MobileWhack]
Trolltech's Qtopia Greenphone and SDK gets reviewed
The Qtopia Greenphone was announced last summer and it hit up the Linux developer market pretty nicely with the forthcoming support that was announced. Well, linuxlookup.com has just completed a review of the Greenphone and the SDK for the unit as well -- and while the overall impression was favorable in terms of the "out of the box" experience, it's hard to say if this device is ready for prime time. Yes, the Greenphone could pass for a very nice standard candy bar handset -- but its intention is to become another Linux OS standard for mobile according to Qtopia (using its own Qtopia Phone Edition OS). The difference here is that Qtopia wants to open development for this platform to the masses. Now, if we could find some flex-agent spray paint, we'd turn this into the Purplephone. Still, with a QVGA display, Bluetooth, miniSD, Linux kernel 2.4.19, a touch screen and a 1.3 megapixel digicam, this unit is nice portioned for everyday use regardless of color.
