Sharp to display Linux handhelds

Sharp will demonstrate prototypes of handheld computers running on the Linux operating system next month in the United States in a challenge to Palm and Microsoft on their home turf. Hiroshi Uno, general manager for Sharp's handhelds, said the prototypes will be displayed at the JavaOne Conference, which takes place June 4 to 8 in San Francisco.

Sharp will be the first major handheld maker to introduce a Linux OS-based device. Japan's largest handheld maker plans to introduce the handhelds to the U.S. and European markets later this year amid growing competition at home, where devices running on its own Zaurus operating system rival those that use the Palm OS or Microsoft's Pocket PCs. Osaka-based Sharp is counting on Java-based applications to attract global consumers to its palm-top devices. While it currently has little presence abroad, Sharp grabbed a 36 percent share in Japan's handheld market last year, followed by Palm and Casio, according to IDC Japan.

Copyright 2001, Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved.

The story "Sharp to display Linux handhelds" published May 23, 2001 at 11:55 AM is no longer available on CNET News.