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Pandora Open Source Handheld Game System: A GP2X Killer?
Add another platform, Pandora, to the growing list of open source portable gaming platforms. Personally, as part of my handheld arsenal, I'm an owner of a GP2X F-200 and have mixed feelings about what is presently the most popular open source multimedia handheld (along with its sibling, the F-100). On the one hand it's very versatile and does well with a wide variety of emulators, while on the other hand it's a battery hog and the end user is left to his own devices to pretty much do anything (like install programs). "Pandora", while presently tracking to be double the price (around $320 US versus the F-200's $170), looks to have a tremendous all-in-one design with helpful features like an onboard keyboard and multiple controls, superficially making it seem like a superior option for running emulators overall. Still, it all comes down to developer support, which the GP2X handhelds have in spades. If Pandora works as advertised, no doubt support will ramp up quickly and we may very well have a new "alternative handheld" leader. I know I'd eventually be onboard if it was a little easier on the end user side to install and run software, not to mention if it featured intelligent battery life management. We'll be keeping an eye on this one...
Comments
It really looks fantastic,
It really looks fantastic, but it's amazing how badly these guys estimated their preparedness. They were never, under any circumstances, going to get anywhere near their original target date. Hopefully it gets released soon and the extra delays will make the software all that much better.
Vintage Games book!
Xbox 360: billlog | Wii: 1345 2773 2048 1586 | PS3: ArmchairArcade
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
CraigX holding Pandora with keymat and controls playing Quake 3
it really is all coming together.
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
Challenges bringing the thing to market
I am still anxiously awaiting this much delayed device, though I must admit to having my enthusiasm tempered just a bit by getting a new iPhone the other day and preordering a DSi. I still need a secondary portable computer and emulation device - which the Pandora takes care of in spades - but it just seems like more mainstream (and much larger) competition is starting to trump the then-ahead-of-their-time specs/features. In other words, when the Pandora was first announced and if it made its original release date, it would have been far, far ahead of the competition. As it is, it will only be a bit ahead at this point, and as prices drop on other types of devices (like netbooks) and specs improve, the gap will further narrow.
Vintage Games book!
Xbox 360: billlog | Wii: 1345 2773 2048 1586 | PS3: ArmchairArcade
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
Latest build of the Pandora
The Pandora really finally is getting there - slowly but gradually this community driven project is turning out something VERY VERY nice. I am feeling very fortunate to have actually gone ahead and ordered one like Bill has.
This device really is a ultra mobile NetBook/console/mediaplayer!
This is one of the team members filming a demonstration video with a device very close to the actual version.
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
Even better!
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
AA Coverage
I am very excited!
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
Sounds good to me. We can even try to do a full month of coverage and take it in bite-sized chunks.
Vintage Games book!
Xbox 360: billlog | Wii: 1345 2773 2048 1586 | PS3: ArmchairArcade
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
We definitely should do a combined article on the Pandora
It might get more people interested in the Pandora and it may bring forth a new release/production run even quicker.
I am very excited!
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
I just received confirmation
I just received confirmation that they received my check (pretty fast, actually), so I think I'm good to go. Whew!
Vintage Games book!
Xbox 360: billlog | Wii: 1345 2773 2048 1586 | PS3: ArmchairArcade
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
I just received confirmation of my payment
Good news, I just received confirmation that my payment via international bank transfer was received in good order. Now the only thing I have to do is sit and wait for the Pandora to arrive and enjoy looking forward to it.
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
Paid via IBAN international bank transfer
International bank transfers within the EU are supposed to have become very easy and may not cost more money than a national bank transfer. You only need to supply more information about the one at the receiving end. Hope all goes well, I've included my order number in the information going to them so all will be well no doubt.
I am dying to get my hands on the product. It maybe is even cooler than my new MacBook - which I keep ranting about. It definitely is more portable and will be with me almost 24/7. I was very impressed by the non-accellerated Linux OS running on it. This will even be smoother with hardware accelleration.
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
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