An announcement to the LinuxDevices.com community from the Opie project . . .

The Open Palmtop Integrated Environment (Opie) project is pleased to announce its first 1.0 release. Having been forked from TrollTech's Qtopia environment, Opie has evolved into the most sophisticated free and open graphical user interface for Linux based embedded devices and PDAs.

Opie features a sophisticated personal information (PIM) framework as well as several other productivity apps, extended multimedia capabilities and document model, networking and communication tools as well as multi language support for more than a dozen languages. Based on common industry standards like XML, Obex, IrDa et. al. Opie is capable of interacting with lots of devices ranging from cell phones to server backends. Opie is highly optimzed for mobile devices and tries to support the user with shortcuts and ease of use.

No matter whether one would like to organize life issues, keep up to date reading daily news, or requires a mobile internet accessing terminal, Opie provides all capabilities necessary for daily usage.

Key highlights of Opie:

• Binary compatibility with Sharp Zaurus applications
  
• Sophisticated PIM framework (including an easy to use access API) with addressbook, todolist, today, mail, drawpad, datebook, texteditor and search-all-facility
  
• Today application featuring plugins for dates, todos, mail, birthdays, weather and stock values
  
• Multimedia capabilities provided by the xine based based opieplayer2 (featuring streaming audio and video) and image viewer
  
• Palmdoc compatible opie-reader for ebook reading and daily news coverage (in cooperation with, e.g., jpluckx)
  
• Linux shell/terminal providing access to the operating system (for those who care)
  
• Network based installation and setup management
  
• PDF reader based on xpdf
  
• IRC client, konqueror web browser an mail reader
  
• Multiple input plugins to ease data input
  
• Network time support and time correction capabilities
  
• Full network setup support through plugins (wlan, ethernet, ppp, irda)
  
• Adaptive backlight settings and calibration (for devices light sensors)
  
• Advanced security supporting Linux security services
  
• Syncable with KDE PIM/Kolab, MS Outlook and Qtopia Desktop (3rd party tools necessary)
  
• Voice memos
  
• Backup and Restore capabilities to CF/SD cards
  
• Data exchange with Palms, PocketPC, mobile phones and other bluetooth/IrDa capable devices
  
• Fully localized
  
• Themes and styles to adapt look and feel to your personal flavor

Opie is designed to run on all Linux based devices. Images and packgages are currently available for HP iPAQs, Sharp Zauri, and SimPad. The platform has also proven to be running on Psion5, Ramses, Tuxphone, Simputer and lots of other embedded Linux devices.

We as the Opie team believe in the strengths of the software as an open productivity and business platform and will be continue to develop it any further — new and exciting features are already in the queue. We would also like to thank our supporters and developers for making this 1.0 version possible.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.