Linux-based handheld has DRM?!

Chris sez, "I saw the GPX2 on Boing Boing and decided to do a little more research into the console. You'll note that on the product page at the official site it states that the unit has 'copyright protection by certified DRM.' A blemish on an otherwise awesome product."

I agree — WTF? So much for ordering one of these.

Link

(Thanks, Chris!)

Update: Lots of people have written in with various theories about this DRM. Some say that it's just that it honors usage states set in flash media. Others say it's a Microsoft WMA/WMV license. Others say it's to restrict the copying of certain commercial games.

But DRM licenses typically come with at least two requirements that would make this device a deal breaker for me:

1. Resistance to user modification. This means that parts of the hardware and software are designed to be off-limits to the API, resistant to reverse-engineering, and not easily removable or replaceable.

2. Responsive to system renawability messages (SRMs). SRMs are messages that disable or cripple features in your device after you get it home, in order to restrict the functionality you've already paid for. Like when they reduced the number of times you can burn a playlist in iTunes, or when TiVo was "updated" with a new version of Macrovision that makes it possible for broadcasters to delete the shows you record.

Until someone can tell me on a non-speculative basis what modification-resistance and renewability measures are in place on this thing, you can bet that I'll never shell out my dough for one.

Update 2: Clarification from the UK distributor: "Gamepark Korea don't understand English very well and have used the term 'DRM' without realising its impact in the West and its accociation with corporate evil."

Linux-based handheld that's open, powerful and cheap

Simon writes in with news of a remarkable-sounding new Linux-based handheld computer/PDA called the GP2X:

It can play games. It can play your Movies. It can play your music. It can view photos. It can read Ebooks. It runs on just 2 AA batteries – And it can do all this in the palm of your hand or on your TV screen.

It runs the free Linux operating system. This means a whole world of Games, Utilities and Emulators are at your disposal. Quake, Doom, SNES, Megadrive, MAME, Media players and Applications to name just a few.

It's powerful – Two 200mhz CPU's with 64meg of RAM, custom graphics hardware and decoding chips. Takes SD cards and has 64M of NAND memory. Plenty to play with. One of the most powerful and advanced handhelds today.

It's cheap. Just £124.99.

It's open. You want to develop your own games for the GP2X? Go right ahead. The SDK is included with the system free. Not since the days of the Amiga has a system been so easy to develop for, commercially and for fun.

The GP2X isn't just another wannabe be Gameboy. Its a whole different design. A whole new idea for a handheld games system.

But wait, we're not new to the scene. Heard of the GP32? An accidental experiment in an open source handheld that went right. Some 30,000 units were sold worldwide, mostly in the UK and parts of Europe. The machine has an astonishing following. The GP2X is the successor.

Link

(Thanks, Simon!)

Update: Jason sez, "It's available in the US as a pre-order for $189.99 + shipping."

Update 2: Whoops — according to the official site, this thing is crippled with DRM. So much for buying one of these, ever.

Update 3: Clarification from the UK distributor: "Gamepark Korea don't understand English very well and have used the term 'DRM' without realising its impact in the West and its accociation with corporate evil."