Pandora's Box
Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 8:56 am
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:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_(console)
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS7004794073.htmlIn 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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_(console)