The SmartDevices SmartQ 5

I got to know this device in the GP32Spain forums, where I also got to know other open software devices, like the GP32, GP2X, Wiz and Dingoo handhelds.

The SmartQ 5 is a very interesting Mobile Internet Device (MID), which sports the following features:

• 4.3 inches touchscreen LCD with a 800×480 resolution.
• Bluetooth, WiFi and USB Host and an SDHC card reader.
• An integrated Ubuntu-based Linux operating system.

Apart from the Ubuntu-based OS, there’s also support for Windows CE 6.0, and Google Android. There’s also a project to port the community-based Maemo alternative, named Mer, planned to be a lighter and easier alternative to the official SmartDevices Ubuntu-based operating system.

Windows CE requires a $10 license, and there’s not yet a definitive version of the Google Android port, but there are test versions of the last one that shows a great potential and usability.

You can find a lot of interesting information in the unofficial SmartQMID forums, and buy it from DealExtreme or EletroWorld starting at $150 USD (roughly 100 €).