HTC PocketPC / PDA gets Android OS up and running, we all knew it was just a matter of time before this would happen , its not fully functional ( yet )..

Martin from http://it029000.massey.ac.nz/vogue/ says

A couple of weeks ago I got a new phone, it’s an HTC Vogue (branded as OKTA Touch here in New Zealand).

It is a nice piece of hardware (MSM7500) but I’m not very impressed by the OS (Windows Mobile).

I thought I would make a start at getting Linux up and running on it.

Luckily the hardware is very similar to that used by the Google android project. There are some differences, the VIC is completely different and the phone software (AMSS) is a much older version so that won’t be working soon. It seemed to hang when I turned off the MMU so I rewrote the bootloader (haret) to set up some identity pages and boot with MMU on.

It turns out that it didnt really hang, the peripheral port memory remap register just doesn’t work on this system so you can’t do any i/o with the MMU off. I figured out how the frame buffer works, wrote some debugging code to see what happens during boot and some new VIC code.

Now to get the SD card working, port this stuff to 2.6.24, get android running with the old AMSS and we’re away.

Update: all ported to 2.6.24 and android boots (no input and phone not working so not much use yet).

Update: buttons should work, Volume up/down are the return and menu keys.

Update(9/4/08): Touchscreen works, it’s not perfect and can’t be calibrated but is usable.

Haret

Kernel

initrd for android

default.txt

diffs against android git (branch android-msm)

.config

currently the buttons are not working, but the touchscreen is functional.

also check out the brave souls @ xda-dev trying this on their Vogue, Touch, Kaiser etc

ASUS’ new touchscreen GUI prettifies Windows Mobile 6.1

Regardless of the cause, we certainly like the trend of these enhanced touch-screen UIs dominating the high-end cellphone market. Now meet ASUS’ GUI slickness destined for their newest touchscreen devices including the ZX1. Starting with a Windows Mobile 6.1 core, ASUS slathers on a new customizable Multi-Home 3D interface meant to simplify access to your today screen, life and business applications. Think HTC’s TouchFlo only sexier. ASUS even threw in some “album cover flow” to the media app and the ability to more easily manipulate all your digital media with enhanced figure gestures.

Check out this sweet Video :

Source : engadget.com

Ubuntu Mobile

Source : Ubuntu Mobile

Ubuntu Mobile is an Ubuntu edition that targets an exciting new class of computers called Mobile Internet Devices. Ubuntu Mobile, based on the world’s most popular Linux distribution, and MID hardware from OEMs and ODMs, are redefining what can be done in mobile computing.

Ubuntu Mobile, a fully open source project, gives full Internet, with no compromise. Custom options may include licensed codecs and popular third-party applications.

* Full Web 2.0/AJAX fidelity, with custom options of Adobe Flash®, Java, and more
* Outstanding media playback so you can enjoy videos, music and photos with superior quality and easy navigation
* A suite of applications that work seamlessly to meet every need of a digital parent, student or anyone who is on-the-go
* Facebook®, MySpace®, YouTube®, Dailymotion®, 3D games, GPS, maps, in short, the full Web 2.0 experience delivered into your hands as a compact and powerful device that’s easy and fun to use

The product of Canonical collaboration with Intel® and the open source community, Ubuntu Mobile is the software that makes it all possible.

Ubuntu Mobile just works, and it works just right.

Just the right applications provide an uncompromised Web 2.0 experience: Web browsing, email, media, camera, VoIP, instant messaging, GPS, blogging, digital TV, games, contacts, dates/calendar, simple software updates… and lots more.

All unnecessary complexity in the user experience is eliminated.

Ubuntu Mobile is finger friendly, with no stylus needed. You drive Ubuntu Mobile with touch. Simply tap the screen or drag a finger to make gestures for intuitive navigation and control.

* Tap an application with your finger to launch it, and tap menus and buttons to use them.
* Swipe a web page to pan up, down or sideways.
* Swipe a video, photo, song or thumbnail page to move to the next or the previous one.

MIDs typically have the following features and attributes:

* Small size/form factor
* 4 to 7 inch touch screen
* Physical and/or virtual keyboard
* Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS, WiMAX
* 2GB to 8GB Flash or disk storage, 256MB+ memory/512MB+ recommended
* OpenGL 3D
* USB, camera, head phone jack, speakers, microphone

Clutter User Interface

Flash User Interface

Ubuntu Mobile is highly flexible and customizable. It is an ideal platform for the kind of product differentiation that reaches target users and penetrates key markets.

* User interface in HTML, Flash, Clutter, Python with GTK, C/C++ with GTK and Java
* Different application sets for different products or configurations
* Integration with popular Web 2.0 sites
* Internationalization and translation support to meet market requirements
* Custom sets of licensed media codecs and third-party proprietary software for commercial partners
* Custom engineering

OEMs, ODMs, operators and developers can customize Ubuntu Mobile to their desired look and feel and offer just the right capabilities to meet their specific requirements. Canonical can assist through its Custom Engineering program.
For information about Canonical custom engineering services, email mobile@canonical.com.

Community

The Ubuntu Mobile community includes many individuals and organizations and always welcomes new participants and partners.

Places to get started:

• Wiki Ubuntu Mobile
• Intel’s MID Linux Moblin project

Samsung’s Armani redo, the F480, as you might have noticed it’s running a new OS. The UI — called TouchWiz — is based off of the company’s Croix interface (which apparently was rushed out to compete with the iPhone), and will be used on all of the upcoming finger-touch phones from the manufacturer. The cats over at Phone Scoop had a chance to go one-on-one with TouchWiz at Mobile World Congress, and they’ve put together a pretty informative video that shows off the UI doing its thing. The inclusion of a new widget system, expanded menu options, and overall speed bump make this OS a notable step up from Samsung’s previous offering.

Source : engadget.com

In case you’re not clued into the developer’s loop when it comes to all things Android,
you might not be aware that there’s a brand-spanking-new version of the
SDK out right now, replete with new apps, a new skin, and tightened-up
functionality. In fact, it’s almost like a whole new OS. Keep your eyes
on us, as we’re whipping up an in-depth gallery so you can get a taste
of what’s to come from the Google camp.

Source : engadget.com
Image gallery : images

Here is a short section of the review of Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 from mobile-review.com

The reason for this unwillingness to demo the phone’s features has much to do with the restrictions put in by Microsoft’s, in fact, Sony Ericsson showcased only what they had built upon the OS itself. Missing OS version from the official press-release, plus a very vaporous release date “in 2H 2008” are two pieces of one puzzle that is all yours to solve. The fact of the matter is that the handset carries the OS version that is to come after WM 6.1 (which is demoed at this 3GSM too, being hyped as some sort of a breakthrough, while in fact it is not– its change log is about one page long, of course if you omit all tiny and insignificant details). The leak of info on Windows Mobile 7, that took place not so long ago, stated the release date of this OS as “sometime in 2009”. We gave its new features a good run-through in our dedicated write-up on it, so you should better read it as well. However, due to a couple of reasons, back when we were writing the piece on Windows Mobile 7, we could not tell you that certain feats dubbed as the WM 7.0’s exclusives are just carry-overs from the previous OS version, which is due out this summer or a tad later, with first devices running on it slotted for late September or early October. Nevertheless, we all know how vaporous release dates of operating system are, so there is absolutely no guarantee that a month from today they will still have it scheduled for summer. It is important to note that WM 6.5 (a name I made up a second ago just for convenience – this OS has a different index and codename) is the largest overhaul of the WM interface over the past years, as it introduces gesture-based navigation, revamped music and video players, support for 3D accelerators and several other amenities. Those who will be lucky enough to bump into a Sony Ericsson’s manager carrying the XPERIA X1 and persuade him to demo it will be able to see some of its features in action, and the truth is, they look pretty good. And in our turn, we will be waiting for another “leak”, as I have a feeling that someone won’t be able to hold back much longer and will post screenshots of the new OS, although, taken with a different device.

So are we looking at a new release before WM7 ? Apparently the OS has been given a major overhaul. Will keep you all posted as more specs come out