AMD and Metrowerks demonstrated a pre-release version of OpenPDA, a Linux technology-based software platform for the development of PDAs and smartphones running on the AMD Alchemy Solutions Mobile Client Reference Design Kit (RDK), at LinuxWorld today.

The companies said the Mobile Client RDK is an evaluation and benchmark platform, a hardware and software design tool that aims to reduce design costs and time, for developing PDAs, Web pads and other multimedia handheld computing devices. The Mobile Client RDK is based on the AMD Alchemy Solutions Au1100 processor.

According to the companies, the Mobile Client RDK running OpenPDA provides designers an example of a multimedia PDA hardware and software solution with a host of standard applications, including multimedia player, games, voice recording, image viewer, synchronization, browsing, and Java technology. In addition, OpenPDA provides a full Personal Information Management suite, which includes calendar, contacts, to do list, email, and text editor programs.

Metrowerks plans to release OpenPDA, a software solution for creating mobile devices such as PDAs and smart phones, later in the first quarter. The software platform includes an embedded Linux kernel, Trolltech's Qtopia multi-language user interface, Insignia's integrated Java Virtual Machine (JVM), and Opera's Web browser. Extended capabilities such as desktop synchronization utilities and mobile networking are also included.