Linux Treo Available Now!

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Posted by Alli Flowers on August 1, 2007 10:26 AM

Independent programmers in the community recently achieved Palm's goal of running Linux on Palm devices. Linux is an alternative interface to Palm and Windows Mobile operating systems, which allows you to control and navigate basic Palm device functions. The thrust of their efforts have been with Lifedrive and TX. But they have had some (limited) success with both the Treo 650 and 680 smartphones as well.

The most recent success has been with "Cocoboot" version 4, released on 18 July. A Palm bootloader, Cocoboot will start the boot process, halt Palm (garnet), and start loading Linux from your SD card.

The most amazing part is "Opie." "Opie" stands for Open Palm Integrated Environment and is a completely Open Source based graphical user environment for PDA's and other devices running Linux. According to the Opie website, highlights include:

(Click to Enlarge)

Sophisticated PIM framework (including an easy to use access API) with addressbook, todolist, today, mail, drawpad, datebook, texteditor and search-all-facility
Today application featuring plugins for dates, todos, mail, birthdays, weather and stock values
Multimedia capabilities provided by the xine based based opieplayer2 (featuring streaming audio and video) and image viewer
Palmdoc compatible opie-reader for ebook reading and, in cooperation with eg. jpluckx (http://jpluck.sourceforge.net) daily news coverage
Linux shell/terminal providing access to the operating system (for those who care)
Network based installation and setup management
PDF reader based on xpdf
IRC client, konqueror web browser an mail reader
Multiple input plugins to ease data input
Network time support and time correction capabilities
Full network setup support through plugins (wlan, ethernet, ppp, irda)
adaptive backlight settings and calibration (for devices light sensors)
Advanced security supporting Linux security services
Syncable with KDE PIM/Kolab, MS Outlook and Qtopia Desktop (3rd party tools necessary)
Voice memos
Backup and Restore capabilities to CF/SD cards
Data exchange with Palms, PocketPC, mobile phones and other bluetooth/IrDa capable devices
Fully localized
Binary compatibility with Sharp Zaurus applications
Themes and styles to adapt look and feel to your personal flavor

Perhaps we will enjoy the Palm device operating system we have been waiting for sooner than we expected!

Related Links

OPIE home

Linux4Palm section at Hack&Dev site

Download Cocoboot

Palm CEO: We Are Not Abandoning The Palm OS!

Palm Developing New Linux Device, Marketing Abroad & to Women

Sync the Treo 650 with Linux via Bluetooth - How To Guide

Social bookmarking:

Possibly related entries...

Hate Voicemail? Get a t-shirt and 60 days of PhoneTag free! - Apr 29, 2008

Bejeweled 2 for Palm OS and Windows Mobile gets a major update! - Mar 23, 2008

100% Bluetooth Voice Dialing - Feb 10, 2008

Vastly improved web browsing available shortly for Windows Mobile Treo smartphones - Feb 06, 2008

Resco Suite Released - Feb 02, 2008

Comments

August 2, 2007 03:50 AM {#}

ezriter93 says:

Come on, Where can we find a step by step on how to get Linux on out old treo 650s? Anyone that can help. It would be nice. I have spent the last hour looking and the only thing i can find that means anything is that it can be done. But little is said on how to do it!! Where do i go from here. I have a sprint treo 650 and want to put Linux on it just for the hell of it. seeing that i have a 700p for my main phone. So i do not care it it hurts mt 650. That is a chance i will take. Thank you for the help!!!!!!!!!

August 2, 2007 05:02 AM {#}

tharant says:

Take a look at this site to get linux on the 650 up quickly..

http://blog.mikeasoft.com/2007/06/30/im-in-ur-treo-linuxin-ur-phonez/

August 3, 2007 04:10 PM {#}

gpokmd says:

does this work on 700p ?? ready for primetime (daily routine use on your main phone ?)

August 3, 2007 10:36 PM {#}

STNC says:

How do we get this to work?

August 4, 2007 12:50 AM {#}

dcorleto says:

The title of this article had me reaching for my credit card, thinking they had actually made something 'available now'. Promising news, misleading title.

August 4, 2007 05:52 PM {#}

itro says:

Hi, any body can tellme if the linux work in cdma devices?? or only in GSM??
tanks

August 6, 2007 12:23 AM {#}

lucass says:

More pictures with Angstrom on Treo 650 here:

http://palmtop.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9951

August 7, 2007 11:38 AM {#}

gooble says:

hehe. Since when is Linux is better than Palm OS?

August 7, 2007 03:38 PM {#}

be7 says:

This looks very promising--leave it to the open source community for real solutions! How much space does this take up on an SD card, and how much "memory" does it take on the device when running (more or less than PalmOS)? Space is so limited on the Treo 650. Also, is this a "dual boot" situation, where you could use either, or does this fully effectively replace PalmOS? Thanks.

September 1, 2007 05:22 AM {#}

iPerversion says:

Last I checked, you can't make calls with the Opie OS.

I checked a while ago.

September 4, 2007 02:43 AM {#}

Skrunky says:

I downloaded the file "AngstromTreo650-v01.zip". The README file says...

!WARNING! - ALL YOUR DATA WILL BE PROBABLY LOST!!
- USE AT OWN RISK!!

1. Copy all files to root of your SD card. Your card must be a FAT16 and only one partition.
2. Put SD card into Palm and tap on Cocoboot and button Boot!
3. Have a fun!

Has anyone tried this out? Can you reset the Treo and have your old PalmOS back???

September 20, 2007 11:22 AM {#}

yanidp says:

i've try and failed, but it does not cause my treo or the plam os gone or error, just soft reset and everything normal again

November 1, 2007 11:31 AM {#}

thenga says:

help how to install this?