Linux IM pad beefs up, invites hacking
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`Linux IM pad beefs up, invites hacking
`
`Nov. 09, 2007
`
`
`Zipit Wireless has updated its Linux-based, WiFi-connected
`instant messaging client for kids and other frequent IM users. The
`new $150 Zipit Wireless Messenger 2 (Z2) adds a color screen, a
`faster processor, and expansion interfaces likely to prove popular
`among both kids and Linux hardware hackers.
`
`For its price, the Z2 is surprisingly powerful. It is based on a
`300MHz Marvell (formerly Intel) PXA270 (Bulverde) processor -- a
`stronger CPU than that found in many smartphones costing twice
`as much. There's 32MB of RAM. Flash is limited to 8MB on-board,
`but expandable to 8GB via a mini-SD slot. There's a full-color QVGA (320x240) backlit
`screen, and the keyboard is also backlit -- no more need for misbehaving children to
`bring a flashlight with them under the covers. I/O has been upgraded from 802.11b in
`the original Zipit to 802.11b/g, for speeds up to 54Mbps.
`
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`Check out the latest Linux powered...
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`2007 Embedded Linux
`market snapshot:
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`mobile phones!
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`other cool
`gadgets
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`Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
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`BREAKING NEWS
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` Reports forecast GPS proliferation
`• Products combine to boost PED,
`phone security
`• Linux IM pad beefs up, invites
`hacking
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`• Linux-friendly cellular data modem
`squeezes into USB key
`• Module adds ZigBee to PC/104
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`Zipit Wireless Messenger 2
`(Click to enlarge)
`
`
`On the software side, there's an ultra-modern 2.6.21 Linux kernel, featuring a WiFi
`subsystem supporting WPA2, PSK, and other modern security standards. Along with
`playback of local, network, and Internet-based MP3 streams, there are photo viewing
`capabilities for the first time.
`
`Also new are OTA (over-the-air) firmware upgrade capabilities that the company plans
`to use to sell backgrounds, fonts, and themes. OTA could also be used to upgrade
`device capabilities in the future, perhaps adding video playback capabilities, for
`instance.
`
`
`http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS5942157201.html
`
`11/9/2007
`
`ZIPIT EX. 2056, pg.1
`
`

`
`Linux IM pad beefs up, invites hacking
`
`Page 2 of 5
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`stacks
`• Southern Calif. Linux conference
`seeks speakers
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`logins
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`Linux-Watch headlines:
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`• Survey: Eclipse helps make, save
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`• Novell Names New Channel Chief
`• Red Hat announces ISV appliance
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`• Red Hat and Amazon make RHEL
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`The Z2's mysterious expansion port
`(Click to enlarge)
`
`
`Last but not least, there's a mysterious expansion interface on the back (shown
`above). Zipit's creator, Ralph Heredia, would not divulge exactly what signals are
`routed to the expansion port, other than battery charging lines. However, he hinted
`that in time, the port would enable Zipit Wireless (the company) to bring out a range of
`accessories, while also enabling Linux hackers -- with the company's blessing -- to do
`more with the Z2 than was possible with the earlier Z1.
`
`Background
`
`The original Zipit launched in 2005, and sold for $100. It soon became a popular
`target for hackers, somewhat against the wishes of creator Ralph Heredia (story), who
`initially thought parents might have reservations about buying the device for their
`children if they read about it being "hacked."
`
`
`
`The original Zipit "Z1" came in five colors, but had a 16-tone greyscale QVGA
`display
`(Click for details)
`
`
`Now, however, Heredia has changed his tune. He told LinuxDevices, "I believe that
`we completely understand what the real interests are of the 'Linux' development
`community, and we are trying to put things in place to fully support/collaborate with
`them on our Z2."
`
`Heredia said that Zipit hackers fall into two camps, the first being "extreme hackers
`that love to just tinker." This group has produced everything from iTunes remotes to
`webservers (be gentle; Google cache here), and dynamo-charged bicycle
`dashboards.
`
`The other group is the "guys that want to write apps and use it for things," Heredia
`said, pointing to the example of LearningSoft (pictured below), which built its Indigo
`
`http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS5942157201.html
`
`11/9/2007
`
`ZIPIT EX. 2056, pg.2
`
`

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`Linux IM pad beefs up, invites hacking
`
`Page 3 of 5
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`Learning System on top of the Z1. Heredia added with obvious pride, "We helped
`more with that product than was reported. I feel good that we were able to bring Zipit
`into the classroom, particularly in Hawaii, the state with the highest drop-out rate. Zipit
`is the real $100 computer."
`
`
`LearningSoft Indigo
`(Click for details)
`
`
`
`
`Why the change in attitude toward Linux hackers? For one thing, Zipit Wireless is now
`its own company, having spun out of Aeronix on June 1 under Heredia's leadership.
`"Aeronix is a product development company focused on specific market
`opportunities," Heredia said.
`
`Another change is that the Linux community has proven to be a viable market for the
`Zipit devices. "We didn't think it would resonate as big as it did, because it's
`constrained. The original had no expansion, and no color screen. We were after one
`market, and another market latched onto it."
`
`Heredia said that in time, the company will open up the Z2 to the community. "We are
`going to open it up more so people can do things, and I want to be active in supporting
`the community. We are putting tools in place now to support it."
`
`Heredia is quick to add that the teen and pre-teen markets still remain top priority for
`the company. "Contrary to what a lot of hackers believe, we've sold a lot more to teens
`than to hackers," he said.
`
`Still, Heredia seemed reticent to reveal too much about the device, in advance of the
`company's plans to deliver services of its own on the platform. He would not confirm
`the presence of a microphone, nor say whether Zipit Wireless will use the device's
`firmware OTA (over-the-air) update capability to offer VoIP and/or videoconferencing
`services in the future.
`
`For now, Heredia said, the company is focused on wrapping up its TV commercials for
`the fast-approaching holiday season, among other priorities. Clearly, the Zipit is
`becoming one of the more mainstream embedded Linux design wins out there,
`alongside the TiVo, Sonos, Motorola phones, Sony TVs, LinkSys routers, and so on --
`despite competition from similar devices like the Sony MyLO.
`
`But Zipit Wireless won't neglect the hacker market for long, Heredia said. "We're doing
`something special. We understand the hacker market, and we're going to establish a
`closer relationship with them through some of the tools that we will be releasing."
`
`"It just isn't going to happen in the next couple of weeks," he added.
`
`Availability
`
`The Zipit Wireless Messenger 2 (Z2) is widely available now, priced at about $150.
`
`
`
`http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS5942157201.html
`
`11/9/2007
`
`ZIPIT EX. 2056, pg.3
`
`

`
`Linux IM pad beefs up, invites hacking
`
`Page 4 of 5
`
`Related Stories:
`
`(cid:122) Device Profile: Aeronix Zipit instant messenger appliance
`(cid:122) A conversation with Zipit creator Ralph Heredia
`(cid:122) $100 Linux gadget becomes student testing device
`(cid:122) Linux powers Sony's new Mylo WiFi handheld
`(cid:122) JuiceBox gets Linux jolt
`
`(Click here for further information)
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`http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS5942157201.html
`
`11/9/2007
`
`ZIPIT EX. 2056, pg.4