The first new release of OPIE in over a year is now out. The Open Palmtop Integrated Environment (Opie) is a completely Open Source based graphical user environment and suite of applications for PDAs and other devices running Linux. It is included in various embedded Linux distributions such as OpenZaurus, Familiar and OpenSIMpad.

For a full list of what’s new checkout the changelog.

Dell will soon offer more personal computers that use the Linux operating system instead of Microsoft Corp’s Windows, said the founder of a company that offers Linux support services.

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The Inq has an article up about Hack&Dev’s efforts to get linux working on various Palm devices:

While customers await the Linux based offerings from Palm Inc and Access/PalmSource, near two dozen “programmers and techies have taken matters into their own hands.

I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical about Palm OS PDAs and devices running Linux, but it seems it’s not only possible, but that these talented coders have been doing so for quite a while. While the early attempts started a few years ago, with a determined geek porting the micro embedded-Linux “uCLinux” to the early Sony Clie PDAs, these efforts had a short life. But now, with the availability of more powerful devices like the Palm TX sporting high-res screens, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the idea of running Linux on them is much more attractive.

[via MobilityBeat]

Thoughtfix of TabletBlog.com pointed out a nice thread over at ITT. Users have compiled an excellent list of some must have and useful Nokia N800 applications.

Wired.com compiler blog has posted a hands on article on the new OpenMoko developer handset:

I got the chance to see the Neo 1973 prototype phone in the flesh today here at the OpenMoko booth at Ubuntu Live. This is the next generation open-platform phone that runs Linux. The picture above shows the device with a couple of batteries and a debug board. The guy standing next to me at the booth explained it best: “That’s what you plug it into whenever your software breaks it.” Notice the input jacks and the pale green reset button on the board.

My impressions of the hardware: it’s lightweight with a beautiful screen, but the small form factor coupled with the high-resolution display means the stylus will remain indispensable.

Dana Blankenhorn examines Intel’s new Moblin project and writes:

Intel has a new mobile Linux project dubbed Moblin. It includes a Linux kernel, a framework for a user interface, a browser, a multimedia framework, and embedded image creation tools, along with developer resources.

Sounds great until you realize there are a ton of other, similar frameworks under development. Nokia backs Maemo, Trolltech has Qtopia, and you’ll remember we profiled OpenMoko just a week ago.

Wal-Mart opened its campaign for the back-to-school PC sales season on Wednesday by unveiling a $298 desktop from Everex that combines three of the most popular industry trends — open-source software, a power-efficient processor, and a lack of “bloatware.”

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Intel has launched its new Mobile and Internet Linux Project Web site, which consolidates a number of new and existing Intel projects to improve the Linux kernel and other open-source components. In addition, the company employs “quite a bit more than a dozen” programmers for coding work, said Dirk Hohndel, Intel’s chief Linux and open-source technologist.

Among the projects are efforts to improve power management, user interfaces, use of wireless networks, Web browsing, chatting, and one of the thorniest subjects, software development for mobile devices. Intel hopes for programming help from outside its own company, and two Linux companies that have signed up are Ubuntu backer Canonical and Red Flag Linux in China.

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After a few quiet weeks, Palm’s corporate blog has been updated with two embedded YouTube videos. The short videos (approx. 4 minutes total runtime) contain footage of Jeff Hawkins going into additional detail about the inspiration behind the Foleo and why the Foleo’s instantaneous response will lead to a more pleasing user experience.

The blog post, dated July 11th, concludes with a few links to notable Foleo stories from around the web, including Brighthand’s hands-on article and a ZDNet interview with the Foleo product manager giving another hands-on tour of the product.

Read via PalmInfocenter.com

The second annual “Open Source in Mobile” (OSiM) conference has announced its sponsors and program of events. Set for Sep. 18-19 in Madrid, Spain, the event features keynotes from representatives of Nokia, Access, Red Hat, Motorola, Telecom Italia, and HP.

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