TedPage: 770 Competition

As you may remember that I'm excited about the upcoming Nokia 770 Internet Tablet. I think it is an exciting product, and even more fun because it runs Linux. But, I noticed some interesting competition today.

The GP2X is a mobile gaming platform that runs on Linux. At only $225 US it is a step cheaper than Nokia's expected $350 price tag. The Nokia 770 has bluetooth, WiFi, and a larger touch screen, but that doesn't make the GP2X less interesting. The GP2X is targeted towards gaming and it even runs GPL Quake. With a joystick and the standard 'diamond' of buttons for the right thumb it provides an interface that gamers are used to. It seems like a dream for independent game producers (assuming they get enough sales for a market to develop).

I'm don't believe one of these will 'win' or 'lose', but it does set up interesting times in Embedded Linux development. Developers can choose from several impressive and inexpensive platforms to deliver applications whether they be games or productivity apps. Hackable is the new pink.