Access Linux is the mobile Linux platform, which I covered in this TeleRead entry, produced by the company that used to be Palm’s software division, PalmSource, It includes an emulator for the “Garnet” implementation of PalmOS, which allows it to run many legacy Palm applications.
The PalmDoc Chronicles has spotted the first hardware implementation of Access Linux: the Emblaze Mobile Edelweiss smartphone. The phone includes a number of attractive features, including 8 or 16 gigs storage, a 450×854 screen, built-in GPS, wi-fi, and a 3.2 megapixel camera. It also features support for most commonly-used audio and video file formats.
According to Brighthand, the phone will be released later this month in Russia, and Emblaze is also working with Access and Sharp on a higher-end touchscreen device called “Monolith” which they describe as a “full-blown media and communications center.”
If these devices ever become available in America, they could be very attractive to former PalmOS users who still have a number of legacy apps they would like to run. With those hardware specs, they could definitely compete with the iPhone and Android.
