Not really. The OmniGo runs GEOS 2.1, while the Zoomer runs GEOS
2.0. The main difference is version 2.1 has a feature called
execute in place (XIP) which allows the computer to run the program
straight from the ROMdisk without having to load chunks into memory.
This saves memory for datafiles. Because of this and some other
OmniGo tweaks, Zoomer programs won't *exactly* run on the OmniGo;
some will run, but exhibit strange behavior (menus don't always pop
down right or something like that). On the other hand, just about
all of the popular Zoomer programs have been converted or are being
converted to run on the OmniGo. As a side note, I believe the next
OmniGo in the works is slated to run GEOS 3.0, which includes such
features as a universal mailbox for Internet and LAN e-mail as well
as (I believe) voice messaging and other other stuff. GEOS programs
have a terrible habit of not running on a different version of GEOS
than the one its compiled with, so we may have to go through this
again when the next OmniGo ships...
> Which would be better to buy the Casio or the
> OmniGo?
Well, really you should buy the OmniGo unless you just *have* to
have an orphaned PDA or just can't afford $329. AST and Tandy no
longer sell Zoomers, and although Casio says they will continue to
support Zoomers and introduce an updated one, nobody's seen even a
hint of one...
>Are there other Geos based PDAs I am unaware of?
>
Sharp sells the PT-9000 to vertical markets; in fact, the "Bullet
AOL" client (a better client than the Zoomer's ROM version available
for download on AOL and other places) is actually the PT-9000
version of the GEOS AOL client that someone figured out would run on
the Zoomer as well. There's been talk of Hyundai introducing a
GEOS-based PDA in Korea and maybe here; and Nokia is gearing up to
produce a GEOS-based cellular phone/organizer sometime this year or
next. All of these (except maybe the phone) are larger than the
Zoomer.
GadgetMaster
gadgetmstr@gnn.com