[updated 7:30am PST] Sharp Electronics, Lineo, Insignia Solutions, Trolltech, and Opera jointly… announced today that the Embedix Plus PDA platform will be bundled in Sharp Corporation's newly-available Zaurus SL-5000D PDA developer unit, the first robust Linux/Java-based handheld from a major consumer electronics corporation.

Also, starting today, Sharp is now accepting pre-orders from the developer community for the SL-5000D developer unit. This product is intended to seed developers with the hardware and tools required to develop rich Linux and Java applications in support of future commercial releases of the Zaurus PDA.

The Zaurus SL-5000D software stack is based on Embedix Plus PDA, which includes Lineo's Embedix embedded Linux, Trolltech's Qt/Embedded GUI application framework, Opera's Opera 5 for Linux web browser, Insignia's Jeode PDA Edition (a Sun-authorized Virtual Machine that is compatible with the PersonalJava specification), and Trolltech's Qtopia user interface and application suite.

“The combination of these technologies offers an exciting 'Third Way' for the PDA market. Not Palm. Not PocketPC. Instead, a powerful environment that gives users unique benefits at every level,” observed Trolltech CEO Haavard Nord.

Introduced in June, Embedix Plus PDA offers a powerful development environment for configuring, customizing and deploying embedded Linux software solutions. “The Embedix Plus PDA platform brings together the strengths of Lineo, Trolltech, Insignia, and Opera Software . . . to deliver powerful, application-rich solutions for all information appliances,” said Steve Petix, vice president, Mobile & IT Solutions Group, for Sharp Electronics Corporation. “This combination of innovative technologies enables the Zaurus SL-5000D to offer incredible potential for the developer community.”

“Together we are producing the next-generation PDA to revolutionize the smart handheld devices market,” added Bryan Sparks, chief executive officer of Lineo. “Application developers and any users will benefit from a full featured PDA running an open standards software platform.”

“The Sharp Linux and Java technology-based Zaurus is a powerful, exciting handheld device that has captured the attention of the Linux and Java developer communities,” said Richard Noling, chief executive officer of Insignia Solutions.

“Sharp provides an amazingly slick piece of hardware. Lineo's embedded Linux provides a stable and scalable foundation. Insignia's Jeode JVM gives access to Java-based content. Opera's embedded browser extends its superb desktop software into this space. And Trolltech provides two things: strong and lightweight GUI technologies; and a powerful, intuitive application environment that gives consumers exactly what they need to thrive in the world of mobile computing,” concluded Nord.

Full text of today's press releases from these companies appears here . . .

• Sharp Expands Its PDA Application Development Environment With a Linux and Java Based Software Platform
  
• Lineo and Embedded Software Specialists Provide Operating System Platform For New Sharp SL-5000D
  
• Insignia's Jeode PDA Edition Incorporated Into Developer Unit of Sharp Zaurus Handheld Device
  
• Sharp, Trolltech Put Embedded Linux Applications in the Palm of Your Hand
  
• Sharp Goes for Opera in Embedded Software Solution

 
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