Old PDA Revival?
on 12.18.04, 09:33am in Uncategorized • digg this • comments (2)
[Cult of Mac] Don’t all click at once. Here’s Grant Hutchinson’s Newton web server. That’s right — a web server running on a Newton MessagePad 2100.
While serving up web pages is pretty simple, this is still kind of a neat demo for an old PDA. And it brings up a good point: what to do with an old PDA.
I have 2 (somewhat functioning) iPaq 3650’s, a Newton 100 and a Siemens SX56 in a box someplace (I’ve replaced most of my PDA functions with my Audiovox 5600). Any thoughts on what I can use them for?
One thing I’ve been thinking of is using the iPaq w/ an 802.11b adapter as a wireless remote for my house audio system. Any other ideas?
Josh Bancroft (December 20, 2004 @ 10:50 am)
For the iPAQ 3650s, I’d highly recommend checking out the Linux distros at http://www.handhelds.org. The 3650 is the best-supported Pocket PC for linux right now. I’ve been scheming up ways to get my wife to give hers up, so I can put Linux on it.
Also, I’m using an old(er) Jornada 568 as a dedicated GPS navigation system in my car, along with TomTom Navigator USA. If you’ve got a GPS receiver and a WiFi card, you could do a little wardriving with MiniStumbler or WiFiFoFum.
The Siemens SX56 might be good for that. If it’s got GPRS data capability (e.g. a live SIM card), you could use it to stream internet audio while you’re driving.
I actually have several old PDAs lying around, too (a Palm V, Palm VIIx, Siemens SX56 Phone Edition, etc.), so I’m very interested in any cool ideas that get posted here!
Josh Bancroft
Editor - http://www.tinyscreenfuls.com
Steve Makofsky's WebLog (December 28, 2004 @ 10:49 am)
iPaq as a Carputer?