Windows Phone Thoughts: IBM Cuts PDA Deal With Sharp

IBM keeps plugging away trying different solutions, and I have to admire their persistence. They didn't seem to make much headway when they were stamping their own name on a Palm IV, but this new Sharp Linux device looks like it might do better in the Enterprise market.



"IBM has entered a partnership with Sharp to develop a version of the Linux-based Zaurus handheld for corporate use, along with ways for Zaurus to integrate with IBM server products. The Enterprise Edition Zaurus should appear by mid-2003, officials from both companies say. The deal involves building Zaurus support into IBM's Linux- and Java-based middleware products.

Supporting applications will include the Websphere Everyplace line, which allows companies to add mobile devices including PDAs to the list of clients that can access IBM enterprise applications. A Zaurus could act as a client to WebSphere Application Server, DB2 database, and software from IBM subsidiaries Tivoli and Lotus. The Websphere Everywhere line already supports Pocket PC and Palm OS PDAs and some cell phones based on wireless markup language and Sync ML."