Archos is offering an SDK for its Linux-based “pocket media assistant.” The toolkit can be used to create non-commercial applications for the PMA400, and is available for a fee for commercial use. It includes proprietary multimedia libraries, an ARM-Linux kernel and cross-toolchain, sample applications, and documentation.

(Click for larger view of Archos PMA400)

The PMA400 is a multifunction handheld device with a 3.5-inch LCD color touchscreen. It can record video directly from a TV, VCR, cable box, or satellite receiver. It can also be used to view photos, play games, or run third-party Linux/Qtopia applications of all kinds, the company says.

Archos first demonstrated the PMA400 at CeBIT, in April of 2004. It officially announced the device in January of this year, and began offering it direct to consumers through an online store in February, priced at $800.

The PMA400 SDK is distributed under a license permitting non-commercial use, and inviting commercial application developers to contact Archos for licensing terms. The SDK is intended for hosting on Linux development systems, and includes Archos's proprietary Multimedia Framework libraries, along with ARM-Linux kernel sources and toolchains. It also includes a Trolltech Qtopia SDK for the PMA400, licensed under the GPL. Trolltech released the PDA edition of Qtopia under the GPL in December of 2004.

Independent software vendor TheKompany announced earlier this month that it would port its Qtopia applications — originally developed for Sharp's Linux-based Zaurus PDAs — to the PMA400.

Additional details about the Archos PMA40 SDK can be found here.

 
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