Remember the Samsung YOPY Linux PDA? Well, despite a year in a state of limbo and many predictions that the device would become vaporware, it's back - with a vengeance!
Linux has long since taken its first baby steps onto the PDA arena with low-end devices like the Agenda VR3 that run Linux natively, and with eager Linux enthusiasts going after Compaq's iPAQ as the only Pocket PC 2000 device equipped with a Flash ROM to make Linux run on it. However, Linux on PDAs has more or less been a flop - but times they could be a'changing.
 | G.Mate's new YOPY has an unusual form factor - and just a MMC card expansion slot
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Recently, we were able to bring you hi-res pictures of Sharp's new SL-5000D developer's unit which is the prelude to Sharp's launch of the SL-5000 consumer-targeted hi-end Linux PDA with a 206 MHz processor and a 16-bit reflective TFT display next year - and this time around it's the much famed YOPY that finally is about to find it way to store shelves.
Originally to be sold under the Samsung name, it's now a bit unclear whether it will be sold under the name of the company that's developing it - Korean G.Mate - or under the Samsung brand. Nevertheless, the YOPY is right now being previewed at the COMDEX Fall 2001 expo, and will according to G.Mate be shipping at the end of November
Like the Sharp SL-5000, the YOPY runs on an Intel 206 MHz StrongARM processor, but apart from that nothing is exactly similar - although much of the specifications are relatively similar. The YOPY runs on G.Mate's own version of Linux, called Linupy, with the X window interface, and uses a 3,5" 240 x 320 pixel resolution 16-bit TFT display - although the company doesn't say whether it is a reflective one, as used in latter Pocket PC 2002 devices and Sharp's unit.
It packs a punch with 64 MB RAM though, and the 16 MB of ROM has space enough for the compact operating system, PIM applications such as Schedule, Contacts and Tasks, as well as a web browser, e-mail client, MP3 player, voice recorder, note pad and image pad. In addition, there's also an engineering calculator, several games, handwriting recognition software and a combined file manager and control center.
As for communications and expansion features, the YOPY has a USB cradle, a 115 KBps IR port and an MMC expansion card slot, and also has a RS-232 serial interface for those who can't synchronize the PDA using an USB connection. Speaking of synchronization, the YOPY is compatible of doing so with Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes.
Like most other PDAs, the YOPY is controlled by means of a stylus - but there's also something very unusal for a palm-size form factor PDA; a built-in keyboard that reveals when the PDA is opened, clamshell-style. Part of the surprise is also that the keyboard isn't in the QWERTY layout, but instead an ABCDEF "calculator-like" layout. Located close to the keyboard is also a four-way navipad, along with the speaker/microphone and four other buttons including the power on/off button and the run program button.
Lastly, the rear cover of the YOPY can be removed to attach a CDMA module which G.Mate has said very little about, but it is expected that this will wirelessly enable the YOPY - and there is also the possibility that with such an interface, modules that support other wireless standards such as GSM, GPRS and even 3G can be added at a later time.
Straight from G.Mate representatives at COMDEX, Janice Karin has reported that the YOPY will be selling for around $450 USD, and will be shipping to the Asian market in January 2002 - and to the U.S. in late 2002 or 2003, but hints were given that these dates could be moved up. If you'd like to get a closer look at the unit meanwhile, we've whipped up a hi-res picture series for you on the following pages. Enjoy!
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