Turns out Genesi had a go at these very same netbooks a few years ago. It makes for an interesting cautionary tale. Thanks to r.r. over on moobunny for digging up this info:
http://www.powerdeveloper.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1478&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30-----
Raquel and Bill
(bbrv)
Genesi
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:46 am
It is a long story and it is not over yet. Basically, we developed a plan for a family of devices with MTC/THTF in 2007 (LOI and Forecast - by the way, MTC/THTF used this same forecast with Freescale). We worked a few months on this. The objective was to leverage all the software and community support created around the EFIKA. We developed a comprehensive agreement which was *also* signed by MTC/THTF. When the chip samples finally arrived in September 2007 (three months late), we began working with them diligently. The goal was to show something at CES 2008. Unfortunately, in about 45 days we knew that the chip was not going to be able to get the job done for the devices we had defined because of the lack of cache-coherency (the 5200B on the EFIKA supports cache-coherency). Freescale had not informed us of any changes. This was a shock to all of us. The 5121e is suited to many potential applications, but not a full-scale desktop machine or a fully functional mobile device. Significant software modifications would be required. When we brought this information forward MTC/THTF (and Freescale) they did not want to accept this information/proof. MTC/THTF decided to do it themselves and ignore the alternatives we proposed. MTC/THTF discarded our agreement; they had no intention to respect it. They said they had hundreds if not thousands of software engineers that could solve all the problems. This is when we decided to post the LOI and Forecast. It was at this time the LimePC was born (formally it was called MyMate or the EFIKA). MTC/THTF hired an EFIKA Projects developer selected by reviewing the information on this site and flew him to China. For a time, he led the team. They worked feverishly, but ended up at CES with handheld devices that did not work. The desktop and television demo systems worked, but were actually not using the chip at all. They used standard PCs hidden under the booth. These false systems are what MTC/THTF used to sell CherryPal on the concept, which then CherryPal used to raise some initial money and create a website full of misrepresentation about the chip and the devices that can be built using it.
More later...
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:36 am
We seriously doubt the 5121e CherryPal or LimePC will ever see any serious commercial success or even ship more than a few hundred units if even that many. MTC/THTF tried to get everybody involved to do everything for nothing. In fact, that is what they really have today: nothing. CherryPal is in the same boat. CherryPal's investors bailed because neither CherryPal or MTC/THTF could deliver on all the promises they made.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:57 pm
The 5121e was not designed with a desktop or mobile consumer device in mind (though you could build a acceptable thin client out assuming it was to be supported by enough bandwidth and you were willing to invest in customizing the required software). Unfortunately, hundreds, if not thousands of developers have suffered because of this lack of disclosure. That is our grievance. This is much more of a 'people' issue vs. a technical one.
It seems we all agree now where the 5121e is best directed and where it is not. It is too bad we could not have worked closer together and much more complementary when it would have made a bigger difference.
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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:07 pm
Hi Folks, please check the date. That is the cover of a 48 page document that Genesi developed for MTC/THTF. With the exception of MorphOS, they have done pretty much as we outlined in the marketing requirements document for 'Lime.' And, now MTC/THTF will try to create their own version of PowerDeveloper. As far as we can tell, they have never had an original idea of their own. Their business practices are shameful. The management has absolutely no sense of ethics. The manner in which they have treated a number of the developers involved is unforgivable. We have nothing but contempt for the CEO. The Executive management of Freescale has been fully appraised of the situation.
We have worked with Freescale on the 5121e extensively. After MTC/THTF disregarded our agreement, they went on to basically screw everyone else involved. That includes Freescale, because they have over-promoted the capabilities of the chip and continue to hurt its reputation in the marketplace with their exaggerated claims.
We have LimePC/CherryPal and LimeBook units -- they are not commercially viable. The LimePC is the CherryPal with a different logo. CherryPal does not have a cloud and they don't have money. MTC/THTF is trying to sell the LimeBook to users in China that don't know any better. It is a mess.
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