At JavaOne in June we had the opportunity to look at Zaurus, Sharp's Linux-based personal digital assistant (PDA), still in its development stage. We've been following the happenings ever since, and now we have a pre-developer version and can try the applications that were absent during our initial preview. The Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 personal mobile tool officially launches today, but you'll have to wait until February to buy the device. It might be worth the wait.
The hardware
The core hardware is similar to the latest Pocket PC devices, with an Intel StrongARM 206-MHz processor providing the computing power. Zaurus comes with 64MB of RAM, doubling original estimates and 16MB of ROM for the operating system and core applications. The latest PDAs wouldn't be complete without expansion capabilities, so Sharp gives Zaurus a Type II CompactFlash (CF) slot on top and Secure Digital (SD) slot on the side. Type II CF allows Zaurus to accept media like IBM's Microdrive along with other Type I devices such as Flash media or 802.11b cards. For the SD slot, modules beyond storage are still under development, but future modules will be able to support up to six different functions on a single postage-stamp-size card.
Zaurus revolutionizes PDAs with its data input options. It features a touch screen and handwriting recognition similar to the Pocket PC's, but adds a small Qwerty keyboard -- like the RIM BlackBerry -- with a twist. The basic navigation keys include a five-way navigation pad, five hot keys, OK, and cancel buttons. The navigation keys slide down to reveal the keyboard. This approach protects the keyboard, and also provides another means of data entry without adding to the size of the unit.
Not to be outdone by other PDAs, Sharp includes an IrDA port and headset jack. Unfortunately, the microphone is an optional accessory that is required for voice recorder functionality, and there isn't a built-in speaker to hear your recordings without headphones. Zaurus can, however, make the basic beeps found in Palm OS-based devices.
On the bottom of Zaurus is an input/output (I/O) connector for synching with your desktop, but this port also supports accessories. The connector is covered by a protector that you have to open and slide in to connect Zaurus to the synching cradle. Once open, the protector can't be closed without coaxing it out with the stylus, pen, or other sharp object. Hopefully, this will be redesigned for the production units.
For the display, the Zaurus uses a 3.5-inch reflective TFT display with a resolution of 240x320 pixels and support for 65,536 colors like most Pocket PC 2002 devices. Even with the preproduction unit we played with, images were crisp and colors vibrant, rivaling Pocket PC devices. For viewing indoors, Zaurus uses a front light to illuminate the display.
Like HP's Jornada 568, the Zaurus utilizes a user-replaceable, rechargeable, lithium-ion battery. Sharp claims battery life will be comparable to Pocket PC devices that average about eight to 10 hours of continuous use. We like the design, because all batteries eventually fail, and the ability for quick replacement is important.
