Zipit Wireless Messenger Explained

The Zipit Wireless Messenger is a small clamshell device originally produced by Aeronix, which is now under the spin-off Zipit Wireless, Inc.,^[1] 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^[2] and the Zipit Z2 was awarded “DigitalLife 2007 Best of Show – Portable Gear” by PC Magazine.^[3] The Z1 was also recognized by the InnoVision Technology Awards as an award winner in the Technology Application category.^[4]

Geekcorps, a humanitarian organization trying to bridge the Digital Divide has proposed the Zipit as a leading low-cost communication device.^[5]

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)^[6]
• XScale PXA270 312 MHz processor
• 32 MB of SDRAM
• wifi 802.11b/g and now works with open, WEP, and WPA encrypted wireless networks.
• 1230 mAh Lithium-ion Polymer rechargeable battery.

The Z2 runs Linux.^[7]

Homebrew

A number of people have run Linux on the Z2. The most common implementation uses Debian with the Fluxbox window manager. This installation supports mouse emulation, the dillo web browser, pidgin, and other Linux programs.^[8]

External links

• Zipit home page
• Zipit details from ElkGroveWireless
• Zipit review, with excellent color photo.
• Zipit review

Notes and References

1. Web site: Aeronix Inc. Announces Spin-Off Of Zipit Wireless Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20080502191810/http://www.zipitwireless.com/corporate/press/releases/aeronix-inc-announces-spinout-of-zipit-wireless-inc-7/. 2008-05-02.
2. Web site: iParenting Media Awards – Zipit Wireless Messenger By Aeronix. https://web.archive.org/web/20110719161713/http://iparentingmediaawards.com/winners/8/3337-15-84.php. 2011-07-19.
3. News: Digital Life 2007– Best of Show. PC Magazine . Erik. Rhey. 28 September 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20080725145835/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2190248,00.asp. 2008-07-25.
4. Web site: InnoVision Technology Awards Program. https://web.archive.org/web/20090221133735/http://www.innovisionaward.org/category.php?id=26. 2009-02-21.
5. http://mali.geekcorps.org/2005/07/28/comparison-of-three-new-portable-internet-devices-2/#more-84 Geekcorps Mali noting the Zipit as low-cost device to deter the digital divide
6. Web site: Product details. https://web.archive.org/web/20080510023756/http://www.zipitwireless.com/store/product/zipit-wireless-messenger-2-z2-1000.cfm. 2008-05-10.
7. Web site: Linux IM pad beefs up, invites hacking. https://web.archive.org/web/20090608143551/http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS5942157201.html. 2009-06-08.
8. http://quantumlime.com/?page_id=29 Linux on the Zipit Z2