Compaq has announced the Open Handheld Program, a new initiative designed to stimulate innovation and research on handheld devices.
Derived from Compaq Corporate Research`s Itsy pocket computer project, the Open Handheld Programme will enable developers and researchers looking to explore applications and uses for handheld computing to experiment with Compaq`s iPAQ handheld by gaining access to the Linux-based source code for the device.
In support of the open source community, Compaq is making available a port of the Linux operating system to Compaq`s iPAQ handheld. This leverages the iPAQ handheld`s flash memory allowing the unit`s operating system to be easily upgraded.
The port will enable researchers and developers to utilise the flexibility and openness of Linux to rapidly develop and prototype new applications for this growing market. To foster innovation and the sharing of information, Compaq is also hosting a Web site (www.handhelds.org) dedicated to open source handheld development.
"The port of Linux to the Compaq iPAQ handheld computer is designed to encourage the development of novel user interfaces, new applications and innovative research projects for the future," says Bob Iannucci, VP of Corporate Research for Compaq. "Through the Open Handheld Programme we hope to unleash the future potential of handheld and wearable computing and spark invention on the Linux platform."
Compaq is committing software, development hardware and documentation in support of the Open Handheld Programme. In addition to porting the core Linux operating system, Compaq is providing other software components including drivers, X-Terminal emulation, handwriting recognition, touch-screen and multimedia support. Compaq will also provide hardware specifications for both the iPAQ handheld unit and its Expansion Pack system.
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