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Pandora's Box
Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 8:56 am
by Alathald
I just ran across an interesting new handheld console called pandora, it "runs Linux on a next-generation ARM SoC with integrated OpenGL 2.0 compliant graphics processor." which basically means anyone can create a game for it because it's completely open standards. A few interesting tidbits:
In terms of processing power, its designers claim Pandora will compare to Nintendo's GameCube [...] Since few games are available for native Linux, GP2X supports a variety of game emulators, including MAME, SNES, Genesis, and PC Engine. This lets users enjoy a variety of game titles originally written for other platforms. Pandora will initially offer full-speed PlayStation 1 emulation, says the group, with N64 emulation planned in a later release.
[...]
OpenGL ES 2.0 enables 3D graphics processing at several million polygons per second, says OpenPandora. The low-power PowerVR SGX is designed specifically for processing 3D graphics and video on wireless-equipped mobile devices. Built around a tile-based, scalable, multi-threaded processing engine, the processor is touted as being able to encode and decode video at DVD resolutions.
[...]
The Pandora is loaded with "Open2X-style" Linux firmware, says OpenPandora, but notes that Debian ARM packages will "probably" be accepted [...] The Pandora can run X11 with a window manager and desktop environment, says OpenPandora, and it can also run most modern Linux programs, including Firefox 3.0.
[...]
Here are the specs for the Pandora:
- Processor -- TI OMAP3530 with PowerVR SGX GPU
- Memory -- 128MB DDR SDRAM; 256MB internal flash
- Flash memory expansion -- 2 x SDHC
- Display -- 4.3 inch touchscreen LCD with 800x480 resolution and 5:3 aspect ratio; 300 cd/m2 brightness; 450:1 contrast ratio
- I/O -- 802.11g WiFi, USB host, RS232 serial
- A/V I/O -- TV-out (supports picture-in-picture); A/V-OUT (S-Video and Composite); 3.5mm headphone/microphone cables
- Other features -- directional pad; 2 x analog nubs, real-time clock
- Dimensions -- 5.5 x 3.3 x 1.1 inches (140 x 83 x 27 mm)
- Battery -- Lithium-ion; chargeable via AC adapter or USB port
- Operating system -- Open2X-style Linux firmware
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS7004794073.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_(console)
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:14 am
by DMB2000uk
That looks like a souped up DS
I wonder how long the battery life is. It's all right if it has all that power and a pathetic battery life.
All the same, if the price is right, and the homebrew scene takes off, it looks like its a decent capable device.
Dan
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:24 am
by DMB2000uk
Read the articles now, and if battery can hold up, I'd get this as a PVR device.
Dan
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:32 pm
by Alathald
http://openpandora.org/
Looks like £199 ($330) sometime in June or July...as for the battery life, how does 10+ hrs sound
Specs from the homepage:
- ARM® Cortex™-A8 600Mhz+ CPU running Linux
- 430-MHz TMS320C64x+™ DSP Core
- PowerVR SGX OpenGL 2.0 ES compliant 3D hardware
- 800x480 4.3" 16.7 million colours touchscreen LCD
- Wifi 802.11b/g & High Speed USB Host
- Dual SDHC card slots & SVideo TV output
- Dual Analogue and Digital gaming controls
- 43 button QWERTY and numeric keypad
- Around 10+ Hours battery life
So it's pretty much either this or a Asus Eee, I think I'll take this
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:20 am
by DMB2000uk
I liked this pricing better:
The Pandora is expected to ship in April or May at a price of about $320 US (excluding VAT) or 100 GBP/286 Euros (including VAT).
Dan
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:58 am
by Alathald
Where'd you see that price quote!?! and wtf is VAT?
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:27 am
by DMB2000uk
VAT is Value Added Tax, 17.5% is added to the price of everything and is taken by the government.
Well it isn't on essentials, like bread etc. But anything the government feels it can get away with, we have to pay VAT on.
Dan
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:39 am
by kenc51
DMB2000uk wrote:VAT is Value Added Tax, 17.5% is added to the price of everything and is taken by the government.
Well it isn't on essentials, like bread etc. But anything the government feels it can get away with, we have to pay VAT on.
Dan
20% for us here in Ireland. Even if we buy from abroad, we have to pay the import duty tax
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 4:53 pm
by DMB2000uk
Damn customs and import duty.
Imagaine all the US hardware bargins we could get if they didn't exist. (or we were super sneaky
)
Dan
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 3:10 pm
by vicaphit
You could send them all to Nate and he could send them to you guys in another package and add a really low value... Though I cannot be held responsible for any problems that arise if you do this.
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 6:51 pm
by Methious
Not that I've ever done this but: Shipped to a Stateside friend, wrapped in gift wrapping with a card is what I hear from my overseas friends I remail for.
Then I hear a couple of the custom shippers are customs cleared.
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:34 pm
by Digerati
Wow, 17.5% and 20% are a bit too much for tax! We complain about 13% here... As far as I know, prices are generally much higher in the U.K. too, aren't they?
Re: Pandora's Box
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:36 am
by sanel
I was just about to say that the system was really helpful and that it helped me to figure out one person in particular. =)