Will it launch with Linux support?

No. Don't start a war, LOL.

Really? In order to "push" online gaming you need actual online games to sell in massive numbers. Good (how good btw? we don't know it yet) online service doesn't change that, it's not a service business after all. With friend codes or not, Nintendo beat Sony in pure numbers of killer apps sold intended for multiplayer play.

P.S.: What is worrying me is it turns out that 5hrs battery life after all is maximum of what you'll get from 3DS games. I was hoping for at least 8hrs.

Sony learn't their lesson with PS3. No Linux support for NGP is almost a given. Also all the emulator and homebrew talk is going to be null and void as well. I doubt Sony will make NGP easy to mod and hack they will make sure that nobody is pirating software and modding it to play homebrew content you can be sure about that.

It is actually... the PSP had all the support it wanted, while the NGP isnt even close. But there are plenty of things that could go well. It seems that the time and battery consuming UMD drive is gone, instead we have cartridges. The online capabilities are on-par with the PS3, so it could become a trend thing. Software wise it seems that both core and more casual oriented games will apear, and that Sony is putting far more emphasis on the 1st party lineup...

In one way its in a similar sittuation as the DS was. Its something that nobody was seriously expecting ( no 3D screen, no shell design etc.) and 1st party seems far more powerfull then the 3rd party support Dont underestimate the underdog.

But in a more realistic aproach: if it has the games it has IMO a shot at recapturing the curent PSP installbase, plus have better software sales. Lets hope that it will go well

Of course not. It will be much worse, as explained here: http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=3861862

Dude did you get banned for that? That was totally an attack on Sony, sometimes they make decisions I disagree with but I don't think their really stupid. But then again you love to provoke fights and make things funny, I wonder if you truly believe that Sony is stupid or if your just saying that to get attention.

Well I guess I'll see if your still around tomorow and find out lol!

Actually, I believe Sony AND Nintendo are stupid not being very smart on their next gen handhelds.

I disagree but don't think your alone. There are several factors that people disagree with that both Nintendo and Sony are doing. The biggest being many consumers wanted a 150$ handheld but Nintendo went 250$ and Sony's handheld will probably cost more as well.

What are your reasons for thinking both Nintendo and Sony are being stupid?

Well, Sony repeating their mistakes with PSP but worse,  and Nintendo also choosing a high-end route cramming everything possible in the 3DS and some more instead on focusing on what made the DS and other Nintendo handhelds sucessfull: low price, good battery and simple games to pick up and play (console games like Resident Evil and and Metal Gear Solid are not made for small game sessions). The PS2 should just be named PS3 Portable because that what it is except that it fits in your pocket.