Take Linux with You Wherever You Go

GITWiT (Kirkland, Washington) is currently developing a Linux-based wireless handset that combines communications and entertainment within a uniquely customizable two-part design. The company plans to aim the device at the lucrative teen market initially by offering a colorful phone with cool teen-oriented capabilities.

According to GITWiT's market research, roughly 25% of the 40 million teens in the US own wireless phones today, leaving 30 million potential additional subscribers up for grabs.

Physically, the GITWiT phone consists of two pieces (see photo). The GITWiT-enabled handset contains the core telephony functionality. A software-enabled cover, called a Smart Skin, snaps onto the handset core to define a specific and easily alterable look, feel and wireless-user experience.

GITWiT Phone's Two-Part Design

Each Smart Skin contains a Smart Key, which is built around an industry standard, secure smart card module. Smart Keys contain encrypted data and software that changes the wireless-user experience to match the theme of the skin.

As an example, users snapping on skins branded by their favorite music group might get a new look and feel for the user interface, plus customized ring tones and graphics, preconfigured wireless web bookmarks and subscription content for the group's latest CDs and upcoming concerts.

GITWiT expects its innovative approach to be popular with wireless carriers because it permits them to embrace changing fashion and entertainment trends rapidly by refreshing the relatively expensive core cellular component with an inexpensive snap-on Smart Skin.

From a technical perspective, GITWiT-enabled handsets are composed of three main parts: a cellular processor, a proprietary Smart Key operating system and an embedded host processor.

The host processor, an embedded computer running Linux, is the heart of the phone. It is built around an ARM7 microprocessor and contains a number of embedded peripherals and I/O interfaces for the keypad, color LCD and for communicating with the Smart Skins. A separate cellular processor handles all of the on-air cellular communications.

GITWiT uses the 2.4.5 Linux kernel with ARM patches from Russell King and Nicolas Pitre, as well as a number of in-house patches. The system software also includes portions of Microwindows for its GUI, as well as BusyBox.

“We chose Linux for a number of reasons”, explains GITWiT VP of Engineering Peter Zatloukal. He continues:

See www.GITWiT.com for more information.

IBM Research and Citizen Watch have announced a collaboration through which Linux-based WatchPad prototypes and related technologies are being developed. The collaborative project, which builds on IBM's earlier Linux Watch efforts, has the goal of exploring a new type of personal information access devices for the pervasive computing era. IBM Research first demonstrated the Linux Watch last year, in an effort to illustrate the viability of Linux across all platforms, from the S/390 to the smallest intelligent devices.

The IBM/Citizen WatchPad

Citizen Watch decided to work with IBM to develop enhanced features and new technologies for use in future “intelligent watches”, such as using them as communication devices. Thus far, Citizen Watch has contributed packaging and component design, including display and input device. IBM provided the hardware architecture, system design and software—including Linux. The two companies also say they plan to collaborate with universities by sharing the WatchPad technology for joint research, in hopes of accelerating progress in the development of next-generation intelligent devices.

The WatchPad contains a high-speed, low-power 32-bit MPU, 16MB of Flash memory and a quarter-VGA (320 × 240 pixels) LCD. Wireless connectivity includes both Bluetooth and infrared. Users interact with the device through a touch panel, buttons and modified winding knob. In addition, an accelerometer is embedded in the device to explore the possibility of arm movement being used as an input method.

Here are a few key technical specs of the WatchPad, taken from a fact sheet distributed by IBM Research:

Hardware

Software