Opera Browser Hatching on the Zii EGG
I still don’t much about the Linux-based Plaszma operating system on the Zii EGG, but information abut the native browser landed today. A version of the popular Opera mobile browser will be fully integrated into the ZMS-05 processor powering the device. As I read it, the Opera Devices SDK version 9.7 is what the EGG will work with, much like the Opera browser on the Nintendo DS handheld gaming device.
Although the EGG supports Google Android, my suspicion is that Opera won’t be available when running Android — only in the Plaszma environment. This news gives me hope that the browsing capabilities will be fairly robust on this unique handheld.
Is that enough to open my wallet for $399 and a development version of the device? Not just yet. Although Android is maturing, I don’t know anything about the Plaszma operating system, nor do I know what application support it will have out of the gate. We already know that the device doesn’t offer traditional voice support, so apps is where it’s at in my book.
I’m quite interested in purchasing one of these.
I think making it run their own OS as well as Android was a clever move. Perhaps you could interest some budding android developers in migrating over to Plaszma.
I think it’s possible this device is powerful enough to replace a netbook for me, but i’m waiting for some hands on reviews before deciding
i’m interested in this too, but only with android.
CL don’t have a good track record with software, and i’m not convinced they can grow a vibrant developer community that can compete with nokia, apple and android.
depending on how long it takes to come out, and how well it handles music playback. My mp3 player recently died after almost 3 years of constant use. Right now I ma waiting for the ZuneHD, and hoping that Microsoft lets you develop for it, as it did with previous Zunes. price is also an issue. At the price of new players, you could almost buy a second laptop. If this thing has nice playback.. the storage size is enough for me.
I wonder what the battery life is like. depending on these things, I might pick one up. but I really wouldn’t be interested in Android, or their OS. I would probably try loading Angstrom.