[plug] Motorola Rokr Z6, Z8, Z10 and other Linux Phones

[Tim White]

This MAY seem off-topic, BUT i'm relying on the fact that this phone 
runs Linux, yes, you heard me, this one runs linux.

Basically, if any of you have read my blog while I'm over here in South 
Africa, you'll have noticed early this year my fairly new Nokia 6120c 
just died. If you've read later in the year, you'll see Nokia are being 
stupid and won't replace it claiming it was dropped...

So, I've been looking towards Linux phones, partially because I would 
love for my phone to run Linux, partially because it's partially open 
source, and partially because I want to support manufactures with Linux 
devices, in the hope that more Linux devices will come out, rather that 
more Window$ Mobile devices.

So the Rokr Z6 caught my eye, running Montavista Linux. It's quad band, 
a requirement of mine for travelling, but that's about where the 
goodness stops in terms of bands. It's not 3G, UMTS, HSDPA or NextG. 
Which is just a pain in the rear end. It does have EDGE, so I'm not left 
out in the cold.

Some research has turned up the Z8, which wasn't released in Australia 
but can be purchased here. It appears to be HSDPA, but not NextG (it's 
UMTS frequency isn't 850Mhz). BUT, it appears they have dropped 
Montavista for Symbian, although having a look it appears to be a much 
better Symbian than the 6120c.

I've also seen glimpses of the Z10, although judging by the release of 
the Z8 in Aust, I'll be waiting too long if I wait for it. Plus, it's 
also Symbian.

So basically, I'm just looking for input from the group I trust the most 
with technology. Has anyone got or used a Z6/Z8 and can comment on it?? 
Seeing as I'm not travelling as much in Rural Aust any more, I can 
survive without NextG, but should I be pushing for 3G, or will EDGE 
suffice (I've not had much data experience with EDGE), as I'm usually 
just doing email, quick short googles, and on the odd occasion, I was 
using Google Maps (with NextG's funky 'locate me' stuff).

Can anyone point me to other Linux phones that won't be too hard to get 
in Aust, and that they would recommend? (Nothing Nokia). Ideally quad band.
Oh, and in particular, with the Z6, how can you put music on it under 
Linux, does it need the Window$MediaPlayer stuff, or is it just drag and 
drop??

Thanks Heaps

Tim