Shadowcat on 28/5/2009 at 08:32
(
http://openpandora.org/)
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_(console))
(
http://pandorawiki.org/FAQ)
It's about the size of the Nintendo DS; is powerful enough to play Quake 3 (it has 3D hardware, as well as the fastest ARM CPU available); has an 800x480 resolution touch screen; has a keyboard (plus USB and bluetooth for peripherals); runs Linux; and is a completely open system (so will also run just about any emulator that you care to throw at it).
If it's as good as it sounds, I think I'm going to have to buy one. (Once it's available.)
I was actually looking up the GP2X on a whim, noticed that there was a new "GP2X Wiz" release, but spotted this among some comments.
Koki on 28/5/2009 at 08:52
But will it run ~60 Dwarves on 3x3 map?
gunsmoke on 28/5/2009 at 10:35
According to the homepage you linked, Shadowcat, it is already available for $330.
Quote:
When and where can I buy it?
There are a small number of Pandoras left from the first batch - if you are interested in buying one please email [email]openpandorasales@gmail.com[/email].
How much will it cost?
It's $330, to get the latest price in your currency use a conversion website such as xe.com.
Shadowcat on 28/5/2009 at 16:06
You can order it, true, but it isn't actually available AFAIK (see the "Latest News, Current Status" section). The "first batch" is a pre-order situation (which sounds like it's been through some fairly lengthy delays already).
As brilliant as this thing sounds, I'm not going to drop that much money without seeing some actual reviews of the final hardware, so I'll happily wait to see what the feedback is like.
If it's good, then I'll probably be in for the next batch :)
demagogue on 28/5/2009 at 20:52
This is interesting. The lack of openness is my persistent complaint any time I look at anything handheld. So this caters to that old preference, and is still well designed for gaming. I'll consider it after I've seen how the reviews pan out, too.
Unfortunately confusing name though. I was sure this was a thread about pandora.com.
Shadowcat on 28/5/2009 at 23:18
Quote Posted by demagogue
I was sure this was a thread about pandora.com.
That doesn't look much like GenGaming subject matter, frankly, but I've clarified the title anyway :)
Renzatic on 28/5/2009 at 23:18
Quote Posted by Shadowcat
Gameplay video of: Quake, Castlevania(?), Quake 2, Prince of Persia, Quake 3, Super Tux, more Quake 3, and... Minesweeper :)
That was Castlevania Bloodlines for the Genesis, and I'm pretty sure it was the SNES port of Prince of Persia they were running. So yay for emulators! With Dosbox on this thing, alongside a goodly amount of Quake 3 era PC games, I'll never be short of something to play.
Consider me interested. Though like most of you other people here, I'll wait for the early adopters to have a go at it before I pick one up myself.
Shadowcat on 29/5/2009 at 01:30
Here's an interview with a bit of history (very interesting) and a bit of hype (hopefully justified, at least for the most part):
(
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Various/Pandora/news.asp?c=8667)
I was amused by the use of the term "mini computer", which has a
very different connotation in my mind :)
demagogue on 29/5/2009 at 01:34
Quote Posted by Shadowcat
That doesn't look much like GenGaming subject matter, frankly, but I've clarified the title anyway :)
Sorry, I wasn't really talking about this thread and didn't word the comment like I was thinking. The "unfortunately confusing" bit is on their (the developers') part, not your's.
I mean, I wasn't actually confused. I was just thinking in terms of their branding strategy; Pandora is a weird choice.
The first thing in people's heads is going to be 'is there supposed to be some connection with pandora.com?', and then, 'so ok, there's no connection... Then what does it add after we get all that out of our heads?'. I mean, I don't really care one way or another what they call it; it's just raises a curious red flag for no great reason. And just generally speaking it seems like a bad choice, if you want to distinguish your product and have it make its own mark, to brand it under the same banner as an already very strong and established brand. You wouldn't want to name it Starbuck's handheld either.
