Zipit Wireless Messenger
Encyclopedia
The Zipit wireless messenger is a small clamshell device originally produced by Aeronix, which is now under the spin-off Zipit Wireless, Inc., that enables Instant Messaging (AOL Instant Messenger
, Yahoo! Messenger
, MSN Messenger). The newer Z2 also supports (SMS
) while on Wi-Fi
wireless networks. The Zipit Wireless Messenger received the iParenting Media Award in 2005 and the Zipit Z2 was awarded “DigitalLife 2007 Best of Show – Portable Gear” by PC Magazine. The Z1 was also recognized by the InnoVision Technology Awards as an award winner in the Technology Application category. They are $49.99.
Geekcorps
, a humanitarian organization trying to bridge the Digital Divide
has proposed the Zipit as a leading low-cost communication device. The device was featured in Season One of Fred
.
The Z2 runs Linux
.
with the Fluxbox
window manager. This installation supports mouse emulation, the dillo web browser
, pidgin
, and other Linux programs.
AOL Instant Messenger
AOL Instant Messenger is an instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow registered users to communicate in real time. It was released by AOL in May 1997...
, Yahoo! Messenger
Yahoo! Messenger
Yahoo! Messenger is an advertisement-supported instant messaging client and associated protocol provided by Yahoo!...
, MSN Messenger). The newer Z2 also supports (SMS
SMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
) while on Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
wireless networks. The Zipit Wireless Messenger received the iParenting Media Award in 2005 and the Zipit Z2 was awarded “DigitalLife 2007 Best of Show – Portable Gear” by PC Magazine. The Z1 was also recognized by the InnoVision Technology Awards as an award winner in the Technology Application category. They are $49.99.
Geekcorps
Geekcorps
Geekcorps is a non-profit organization that sends people with technical skills to developing countries to assist in computer infrastructure development...
, a humanitarian organization trying to bridge the Digital Divide
Digital divide
The Digital Divide refers to inequalities between individuals, households, business, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic levels in access to information and communication technologies and Internet connectivity and in the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use the information...
has proposed the Zipit as a leading low-cost communication device. The device was featured in Season One of Fred
Fred
Fred may refer to:People:*Fred , pen name of French comics creator Fred Othon Aristidès*Fred Tuttle , American farmer from Vermont who ran for the U.S...
.
Z2
On Sept. 27, 2007, Zipit Wireless introduced the Zipit wireless messenger 2 (Z2). It has- full 2.8 inch QVGA color display
- backlit keyboard
- Mini-SD memory card slot
- MP3 player (MyTunez), streaming audio support
- a photo viewer (MyPhotoz)
- XScaleXScaleThe XScale, a microprocessor core, is Intel's and Marvell's implementation of the ARMv5 architecture, and consists of several distinct families: IXP, IXC, IOP, PXA and CE . Intel sold the PXA family to Marvell Technology Group in June 2006....
PXA270 312 MHz processor - 32 MB of SDRAM
- wifi 802.11b/g and now works with open, WEPWired Equivalent PrivacyWired Equivalent Privacy is a weak security algorithm for IEEE 802.11 wireless networks. Introduced as part of the original 802.11 standard ratified in September 1999, its intention was to provide data confidentiality comparable to that of a traditional wired network...
, and WPAWi-Fi Protected AccessWi-Fi Protected Access and Wi-Fi Protected Access II are two security protocols and security certification programs developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to secure wireless computer networks...
encrypted wireless networks. - 1230 mAh Lithium-ion Polymer rechargeable battery.
The Z2 runs Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
.
Homebrew
A number of people have run Linux on the Z2. The most common implementation uses DebianDebian
Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...
with the Fluxbox
Fluxbox
Fluxbox is a stacking window manager for the X Window System, which started as a fork of Blackbox 0.61.1, with the same aim to be lightweight. Its user interface has only a taskbar, a pop-up menu accessible by right-clicking on the desktop, and minimal support for graphical icons...
window manager. This installation supports mouse emulation, the dillo web browser
Dillo
Dillo is a minimalistic web browser particularly intended for older or slower computers and embedded systems. It supports only plain HTML/XHTML and images over HTTP; scripting is ignored entirely. Dillo is available for Linux, BSD, Solaris and Mac OS X. Due to its small size, it is the browser of...
, pidgin
Pidgin (software)
Pidgin is an open-source multi-platform instant messaging client, based on a library named libpurple. Libpurple has support for many commonly used instant messaging protocols, allowing the user to log into various services from one application.The number of Pidgin users was estimated to be over 3...
, and other Linux programs.