XSCALE optimizations finally

[R0B]

I have a feeling that if PDA developer (hardware wise) wanted to take the market by storm, it would be done through linux. If you use linux, nearly all restrictions that were imposed by MS will be gone (there may be no restrictions at all). That includes the processor type, the form factor, and a load of other, not so ovious items. Here is the catch though, in order to be truely effective, they should offer way to use the PocketPC2002 OS. For instance, a download from their site. I have a feeling that MS's regulations mainly apply to devices being sold with the PocketPC2002 OS preinstalled. However, if a company wants to pay for the os, and give customers a chance to switch, I bet they wouldn't have a problem, since it would allow them to claim a larger portion of the market.

Sorry if this doesn't make much sense, it does in my mind, but I got to bed really late last night, and didn't get much sleep.

[refractor]

The main problem is that most people want ease-of-use in a PDA, and a GUI that they understand. If you offer "normal" people the choice of a PDA with a Linux version on it, and a GUI that's like their PC at home (i.e. Windows), Joe Average consumer is going to take the Windows device.

At the moment, I believe that GUI-wise, and usability-wise (ignoring "expert" users), the PocketPC OS is far better for average consumers.

Linux is more stable for things like servers, and it is truly a nice server/desktop OS... but GUI usability-wise? Sorry, it's nowhere near Windows, and in a "limited" environment like a PDA screen, GUI usability ranks very highly.

Cheers,

Ref.

[James S]

Refractor have you ever used the Sharp Zaurus' Linux/Java OS? That OS is faster than PPC2k2, and it's much easier to use and more "Windows" like than the PocketPC OS with it's "Today" screen, funky start menu, and messed up filing system.

[James S]

[refractor]

[T¹]

Agreed, a decent arm compiler would be nice... But I personally think that the disappointing Xscale performance has the potential to be a much bigger issue to PPC/MS than first thought:

Palm has been moving towards a migration to the ARM architecture for some time, namely StrongARM. However, if they are watching the PPC industry closely, they will have no doubt noticed these recent Xscale issues and learnt a lesson from it. Palm has not yet committed to an actual release of an ARM device. Even if they were poised on the verge of releasing a SA device, it would still be a wise decision imho to delay a release, in favour of jumping straight in with Xscale. They don't have the StrongArm legacy of the PPC to contend with, so developers can start afresh with the V5 Xscale instruction set, thus 'leapfrogging' the competition with a PDA with far more potential than current Xscale PPCs. I.e 400mhz+ used properly - Loyalties aside, I'd buy an Xscale Sony Clie in a heartbeat...

[refractor]

I would still rather they completely bypassed the XScale, and implemented the later ARMs with:

Jazelle (on-board Java bytecode->ARM translator to run Java "natively")
Thumb
The SIMD instructions, whatever they are called (I forget)

That way, the "odd-ball" XScale can die a quick death and we'd still only have one real platform to deal with (existing StrongARM/ARM code should work nicely on the ARM10s, etc, I believe, whereas it doesn't work nicely on the XScale).

Dividing the single existing ARM base into:
ARM + StrongARM
and
Intel XScale ARM

is a very bad thing, IMHO (from a developer's point of view at least). I'd be happy if the XScale crawled into a corner and died quietly (very selfish, but there you go).

(I may be talking out of my arse, 'cos I haven't actually investigated the ARM10, etc, much).

Cheers,

Ref.

[T¹]

I agree, that would be a preferable solution (assuming there aren't other issues with ARM10 like compatibility, power-consumption, etc etc)

Given Intel's dominance though, I wouldn't hold my breath.. Didn't know about later ARMs with simd & native java though, seems a little surprising they haven't got more exposure and consideration in mobile devices.

[refractor]

[James S]