Encore Software's Simputer
[1/2] from: otherchaz::mindspring::com at: 5-Aug-2002 16:21
The Simputer looks like a cool platform for REBOL
Portable, costs US$200, runs Linux, has a built-in modem, and smart-card
reader
Too bad it's not available outside of India
http://www.ncoretech.com/simputer/simputer/resellers.html
________________________________________
http://www.ncoretech.com/simputer/index.html
The Simputer is a low-cost Personal Computer with multiple connectivity
options. It is designed to be modular and extensible, and based entirely on
free software from the Open Source Initiative. Its primary input is a
touch-sensitive overlay on the LCD display panel.
The Simputer is not a Personal Computer in the conventional "PC" sense. The
"Win-tel" architecture of the de facto standard PC is quite unsuitable for
deployment in the low-cost mass market in any developing country. The entry
barrier due to software licensing of proprietary, though de facto standard,
software is just too high. While the Wintel PC provides a de facto level of
standardisation, it is clearly not an open architecture.
The Simputer, on the other hand, is based on GNU/Linux software technology
that is open and modular. The Linux Kernel version 2.4 has been ported to
the Simputer.
The initial version of the Simputer is based on Intel's StrongARM CPU,
which
is a Reduced Instruction-set (RISC) microprocessor designed for embedded
applications. The StrongARM has a high level of integration and performance
at a relatively low level of power consumption.
To enable rapid development and deployment of application software, the
basic development platform uses GTK. A Java Virtual Machine can also be
provided for those application developers that want to benefit from
platform
independence for their applications.
_____________________________
http://www.ncoretech.com/simputer/simputer/specs.html
Hardware
CPU Intel's StrongARM SA-1110 CPU @ 206 MHz
Memory 32-64 MB of SDRAM
16-32 MB Flash for non-volatile storage
Display Options 240 x 320 Monochrome LCD Display Panel with backlight
or
240 x 320 Colour LCD Display Panel with backlight
Input Device Touch-panel Overlay on LCD Display with a plastic stylus
(Pen)
Direction and Selection Keys
Audio Interface Audio Codec with built-in speaker & microphone
Support for external head-set
SmartCard Interface SmartCard Reader/Writer
USB Interface USB Port
Connectivity V.90 Data Modem
IrDA Interface
Connectors in Basic Unit Speaker and MIC Jacks
SmartCard Connector
IrDA Transceiver
RJ-11 Telephone Jack
USB Type-A (Master) Connector
AC Adapter Input
Docking Cradle Connector
Power Supply 2 x AA-sized NiMH batteries
Internal charge management
Operates with external AC Adapter
System Software
Operating System Linux Kernel 2.4.18
Network Protocols TCP/IP, FTP, Telnet, PPP, HTTP etc.
Application Libraries GTK+, glibc
Application Software
Internet Access Browser, Email, File-Transfer
Music MP3 Player
PIM Applications Notepad, Address Book, Calculator
Accessories
Optional Expansion Cradle with Compact Flash [CF-II] Slot
Development Tools
Software Development Kit [SDK] consisting of
a.. ARM Cross-compilation Tool-chain
b.. Glibc, GTK+ Libraries
c.. Utilities
[2/2] from: carl:cybercraft at: 6-Aug-2002 14:26
On 06-Aug-02, chaz wrote:
> The Simputer looks like a cool platform for REBOL Portable, costs
> US$200, runs Linux, has a built-in modem, and smart-card reader
> Too bad it's not available outside of India
> http://www.ncoretech.com/simputer/simputer/resellers.html
Given the "Indian hi-technology for the world" on the front page, I
assume they intend it to be. I agree - it looks cool, though I take
it the US$200 is for the monochrome version?
--
Carl Read