January 16th, 2009
ACCESS Linux Platform appears as small part of new Sony Cybershot camera
The last time I posted about the ACCESS Linux Platform was in August 2007 when some screenshots were shown at LinuxWorld. If you remember, ALP was the Linux-based operating system that Palm was planning to use for their mobile phones at one time. Palm then broke off into software (PalmSource) and hardware (PalmOne) and then PalmSource was aquired by ACCESS. ACCESS then created the ALP, which Palm was intending to use in their new devices. Palm then said they were working on their own Linux OS and we now see they have launched their own Linux-based OS as Palm WebOS. It appears that ALP is still alive though as we see it being a part of the new Sony Cybershot DSC-G3 camera.
The DSC-G3 is coming soon for US$499.99 and includes a pretty amazing list of features. The ACCESS Linux Platform appears in the form of the kernel in the Busybox Linus system. This isn’t the full-fledged PDA OS and it isn’t clear what the Linux system is used for, but it looks like it might be part of the system for WiFi upload functionality. Complimentary AT&T WiFi hotspot access is included with the camera so you can upload on the go from Starbucks, bookstores, and other supported zones.
Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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