5 ms·

Linux Handheld Computer, Pyra, Available for Preorder

55 points by bananaoomarang 10y ago

preek 10y ago
They have a demo video of an early prototype unit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4t9Ys8wI6k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4t9Ys8wI6k
donquichotte 10y ago
I have a bit of trouble seeing a use case here, especially for a price tag of 330-400€. If I want linux, a decent screen and a good battery, I'll buy a Chromebook for 200€ and install Linux on it. If I want Linux tools and a small screen, I'll use my Motorola MotoG with GNURoot Debian and a bluetooth keyboard.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- fit2rule 10y ago
  This is a portable handheld gaming device with excellent controls, a fantastic hardware design, and most important of all: a simply fantastic community, which will support the device like no other gaming-console manufacturer can. Its open source. There are things happening on this platform that won't happen anywhere else (see: dynamic-recompilation that brings x86 titles to ARM, seamlessly), and its frankly one of the most exciting new platforms for gaming out there. Which portable handheld gaming console has a repo like this - http://repo.openpandora.org/ http://repo.openpandora.org/ ? :)
  - justifier 10y ago
    this is what i hoped the 'oooyeah' would become.. what a train wreck that revealed itself to be i'm glad pandora, now pyra, and community is out there, even if this pyra is out of my price range
    - fit2rule 10y ago
      I think it really matters that the guys behind the Pandora/Pyra are open source enthusiasts, and not only can they talk the talk, but walk it too.. I mean, the thing with the Ooya was that there were just Too Many Suits involved, trying to cash in.. in this case, its techies driving the ship, and well .. it shows! The products are awesome! :)
- henrypenface 10y ago
  And that's just the downpayment on the pre-order they go above $700 depending on the model. I would have been tempted for 400.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
andrewclunn 10y ago
Related question: What's the linux application situation on arm devices? Of particular interest is the emulator and office / productivity situation.
- fit2rule 10y ago
  It is, simply put, superlative. On ARM we have most of the things that Linux users are used to, plus things such as dynamic recompilation being used to bring older x86 titles to the platform. Did you know you can run things like Starcraft on ARM because of the OpenPandora platform? :)
- nextos 10y ago
  As an example, archlinuxarm has a really big fraction of the packages in the original x86 plain archlinux. It's very usable. I don't think you'll feel much of a difference unless you get into things like scientific computing. But then you would not be buying a little ARM device I guess.
beardicus 10y ago
Is this just a rebranding of the Pandora computer? It looks like it has been updated (they probably didn't originally have SIM card capabilities in the Pandora, which was gaming-focused I believe), but I haven't really kept track of the project, and it's not obvious from the linked page. I have absolutely no need for this computer, but really want one. What would you use it for?
- fit2rule 10y ago
  Its not a re-branding - its more like the next version. It'll run the same software, but its a new generation of the same concept. Pandora -> Version 1. Pyra -> Version 2. (I use my two Pandora for gaming, Linux hacking, and as a portable console/interface to other larger systems. Its an amazing, amazing device..)
- dTal 10y ago
  At the moment I find myself carrying around a netbook (EeePC 901) and a smartphone (Xperia Mini Pro, slidey keyboard). I'm going to replace both of them with one of these - it's well over twice as powerful as them put together. You might think it's a wee big to use as your main smartphone, but I'm psyched by the ability to run desktop software comfortably on something that fits in a jacket pocket (apparently the nubs are easily precise enough to use as a mouse). Desktop software beats the pants off "apps", in the free software world at any rate. I actually don't give much of a hoot about the gaming controls - I think of it as like a chunky Neo900. I'd like to have a go at controlling a wifi quadcopter with it though :)
  - fit2rule 10y ago
    >I'd like to have a go at controlling a wifi quadcopter with it though :) I have two Pandora, and have done just this, albeit BTLE instead of Wifi (Edit: see http://flexbot.cc http://flexbot.cc for a compatible device)! The nubs are superlative for the job - quite high resolution - and very ergonomic. I daresay the Pandora/Pyra are a perfect reprogrammable wifi controller for RC hobbyists .. I've considered trying to wire up a FrSky interface or something, but never got around to it .. maybe when my Pyra arrives I'll have another go. BTW, I ported CRRC-Sim to the Pandora, and its really, really nice. Probably the best RC-sim platform I've ever played - having the nubs, and the screen all integrated into a handheld portable controller .. really, really nice! Hope you enjoy the experience too - watch for the CRRCSim port for Pyra, when you get it!
fit2rule 10y ago
This is awesome news! A rag-tag bunch of hackers got together and made their own hardware device. They stuck it out - battling con artists, economic destitution, and even a freakin' volcano - and managed to get the Pandora out there in spite of it all. And now, they're doing it again! We have an open-source friendly (http://repo.openpandora.org/ http://repo.openpandora.org/) portable gaming console that is owned and operated by the people, for the people. Not a major corporation, not some faceless entity - real hackers, accessible to you and me, pulling it off where nobody else dared to even try. I can't wait to have a Pyra in my hands! It'll be a very welcome companion to the two Pandora I already have .. Sweet news guys!
cisstrd 10y ago
The site is very slow for me, can someone confirm this? (when I click on "Click here to preorder" for example, maybe it has problems handling the traffic?!)
- SRSposter 10y ago
  Maybe its running on a Pyra.
  - cisstrd 10y ago
    considering what websites used to run on 10 or 20 years ago, today's mini-computers (pyra / raspberry pi / ...) are more than capable of hosting websites and can deal with more traffic than you might think. that being said I doubt that's the case here (though I also don't think you were serious).
hlieberman 10y ago
What's the usecase for the Cortex-M4s? Is it smart enough to off-load non-computationally intensive work to the 16-bit chips for "low power", or are they serving some other purpose?
- fit2rule 10y ago
  CODEC's, mostly .. but in this scene (disclaimer: longstanding Pandora user, GP2X before that) you can never be sure just what someone will do with it .. graphics driver, OpenGL accelerator, synth engine, etc. There really are some genius hackers in this crowd - having it onboard means someone will do something amazing with it.
- mojoB 10y ago
  As mentioned in the sibling, media codec is the nominal case. They are included in the SOC, not something specific to this project. Being ARM Cortex processors, they are 32 bit. Allocate them a chunk of RAM, upload a program and set them running. TI has a driver infrastructure and sample gstreamer CODECs. http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/OMAP5_GLSDK_Software_Developers_Guide#RPMsg_client_sample_application http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/OMAP5_GLSDK_Software...
Paul_S 10y ago
I can't find this info anywhere: is the screen matte?
- fit2rule 10y ago
  It is, at least on the Pandora. I don't think this has changed for Pyra ..
- dTal 10y ago
  It looks that way: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChUw89lW4AA7rc-.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChUw89lW4AA7rc-.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdRk7oEWwAEYRNq.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdRk7oEWwAEYRNq.jpg
chadlavi 10y ago
Is this a joke?
- Paul_S 10y ago
  No. Why do you think it could be a joke?
  - chadlavi 10y ago
    Because it looks like a cell phone from 2005? because it has a small screen running what, if the product image is accurate, seems to be an unmodified desktop version of the OS? It's a usability nightmare.
- Grazester 10y ago
  I don't know about the joke part but I cant see it appeal of it.
- kodfodrasz 10y ago
  Modular, Open Source hardware may seem to be a joke to some people. :S I'm looking forward to developing full stack ES6 application on the go on my Pyra! Finally the power of Linux at my fingertips even on the BART! Though I hope the Debian can be changed to Arch...
  - ParadisoShlee 10y ago
    There is no reason ArchARM shouldn't work out of the box... I might even consider branching off a release
Gys 10y ago
As a mobile linux solution i am looking forward to the pocketCHIP which should arrive this month. A bit basic maybe but cheap and useful enough for non-graphical stuff. At least thats what i hope.
- aervo 10y ago
  I am looking forward that device's release as well. If it turns out well I will order one.
SRSposter 10y ago
Will you be able to put a ThinkPad TrackPoint on the nubs?
- dTal 10y ago
  Amazingly, yes. The whole thing disassembles by unscrewing, and as the nubs are separate components you could replace them with whatever you wanted. Given that both TrackPoints and the nubs use a square peg, it might even just fit without an adapter. However it still wouldn't work the same - a TrackPoint responds to force, while the nubs actually move.
WatchDog 10y ago
Wow that site is so responsive it hurts, never see sites that actually expand to a 2560x1440 screen.
buzztiaan 10y ago
ordered mine just now <3
- fit2rule 10y ago
  Me too! Can't wait!
ddigit 10y ago
Been waiting for this project ever since it was announced, a most worthy upgrade from my Pandora. What width the potential for DC, PSP and PC emulation along with 4G, this should cover most of my mobile needs, maybe I can even get rid of my smart phone for something with days or weeks of battery time again.
ParadisoShlee 10y ago
I own an OpenPandora, and I adore it.. 8 year old tech, originally sold by a fraud (not involved in Pyra) and supported by a small team of super passionate fans running a community as a hobby. I've preordered and cannot wait to upgrade my Pandora, which I use every few days.. even if it's just playing PS1 games on the train.

preek 10y ago

They have a demo video of an early prototype unit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4t9Ys8wI6k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4t9Ys8wI6k

donquichotte 10y ago

I have a bit of trouble seeing a use case here, especially for a price tag of 330-400€. If I want linux, a decent screen and a good battery, I'll buy a Chromebook for 200€ and install Linux on it. If I want Linux tools and a small screen, I'll use my Motorola MotoG with GNURoot Debian and a bluetooth keyboard.

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
fit2rule 10y ago
This is a portable handheld gaming device with excellent controls, a fantastic hardware design, and most important of all: a simply fantastic community, which will support the device like no other gaming-console manufacturer can. Its open source. There are things happening on this platform that won't happen anywhere else (see: dynamic-recompilation that brings x86 titles to ARM, seamlessly), and its frankly one of the most exciting new platforms for gaming out there. Which portable handheld gaming console has a repo like this - http://repo.openpandora.org/ http://repo.openpandora.org/ ? :)
- justifier 10y ago
  this is what i hoped the 'oooyeah' would become.. what a train wreck that revealed itself to be i'm glad pandora, now pyra, and community is out there, even if this pyra is out of my price range
  - fit2rule 10y ago
    I think it really matters that the guys behind the Pandora/Pyra are open source enthusiasts, and not only can they talk the talk, but walk it too.. I mean, the thing with the Ooya was that there were just Too Many Suits involved, trying to cash in.. in this case, its techies driving the ship, and well .. it shows! The products are awesome! :)
henrypenface 10y ago
And that's just the downpayment on the pre-order they go above $700 depending on the model. I would have been tempted for 400.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]

andrewclunn 10y ago

Related question: What's the linux application situation on arm devices? Of particular interest is the emulator and office / productivity situation.

fit2rule 10y ago
It is, simply put, superlative. On ARM we have most of the things that Linux users are used to, plus things such as dynamic recompilation being used to bring older x86 titles to the platform. Did you know you can run things like Starcraft on ARM because of the OpenPandora platform? :)
nextos 10y ago
As an example, archlinuxarm has a really big fraction of the packages in the original x86 plain archlinux. It's very usable. I don't think you'll feel much of a difference unless you get into things like scientific computing. But then you would not be buying a little ARM device I guess.

beardicus 10y ago

Is this just a rebranding of the Pandora computer? It looks like it has been updated (they probably didn't originally have SIM card capabilities in the Pandora, which was gaming-focused I believe), but I haven't really kept track of the project, and it's not obvious from the linked page. I have absolutely no need for this computer, but really want one. What would you use it for?

fit2rule 10y ago
Its not a re-branding - its more like the next version. It'll run the same software, but its a new generation of the same concept. Pandora -> Version 1. Pyra -> Version 2. (I use my two Pandora for gaming, Linux hacking, and as a portable console/interface to other larger systems. Its an amazing, amazing device..)
dTal 10y ago
At the moment I find myself carrying around a netbook (EeePC 901) and a smartphone (Xperia Mini Pro, slidey keyboard). I'm going to replace both of them with one of these - it's well over twice as powerful as them put together. You might think it's a wee big to use as your main smartphone, but I'm psyched by the ability to run desktop software comfortably on something that fits in a jacket pocket (apparently the nubs are easily precise enough to use as a mouse). Desktop software beats the pants off "apps", in the free software world at any rate. I actually don't give much of a hoot about the gaming controls - I think of it as like a chunky Neo900. I'd like to have a go at controlling a wifi quadcopter with it though :)
- fit2rule 10y ago
  >I'd like to have a go at controlling a wifi quadcopter with it though :) I have two Pandora, and have done just this, albeit BTLE instead of Wifi (Edit: see http://flexbot.cc http://flexbot.cc for a compatible device)! The nubs are superlative for the job - quite high resolution - and very ergonomic. I daresay the Pandora/Pyra are a perfect reprogrammable wifi controller for RC hobbyists .. I've considered trying to wire up a FrSky interface or something, but never got around to it .. maybe when my Pyra arrives I'll have another go. BTW, I ported CRRC-Sim to the Pandora, and its really, really nice. Probably the best RC-sim platform I've ever played - having the nubs, and the screen all integrated into a handheld portable controller .. really, really nice! Hope you enjoy the experience too - watch for the CRRCSim port for Pyra, when you get it!

fit2rule 10y ago

This is awesome news! A rag-tag bunch of hackers got together and made their own hardware device. They stuck it out - battling con artists, economic destitution, and even a freakin' volcano - and managed to get the Pandora out there in spite of it all. And now, they're doing it again! We have an open-source friendly (http://repo.openpandora.org/ http://repo.openpandora.org/) portable gaming console that is owned and operated by the people, for the people. Not a major corporation, not some faceless entity - real hackers, accessible to you and me, pulling it off where nobody else dared to even try. I can't wait to have a Pyra in my hands! It'll be a very welcome companion to the two Pandora I already have .. Sweet news guys!

cisstrd 10y ago

The site is very slow for me, can someone confirm this? (when I click on "Click here to preorder" for example, maybe it has problems handling the traffic?!)

SRSposter 10y ago
Maybe its running on a Pyra.
- cisstrd 10y ago
  considering what websites used to run on 10 or 20 years ago, today's mini-computers (pyra / raspberry pi / ...) are more than capable of hosting websites and can deal with more traffic than you might think. that being said I doubt that's the case here (though I also don't think you were serious).

hlieberman 10y ago

What's the usecase for the Cortex-M4s? Is it smart enough to off-load non-computationally intensive work to the 16-bit chips for "low power", or are they serving some other purpose?

fit2rule 10y ago
CODEC's, mostly .. but in this scene (disclaimer: longstanding Pandora user, GP2X before that) you can never be sure just what someone will do with it .. graphics driver, OpenGL accelerator, synth engine, etc. There really are some genius hackers in this crowd - having it onboard means someone will do something amazing with it.
mojoB 10y ago
As mentioned in the sibling, media codec is the nominal case. They are included in the SOC, not something specific to this project. Being ARM Cortex processors, they are 32 bit. Allocate them a chunk of RAM, upload a program and set them running. TI has a driver infrastructure and sample gstreamer CODECs. http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/OMAP5_GLSDK_Software_Developers_Guide#RPMsg_client_sample_application http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/OMAP5_GLSDK_Software...

Paul_S 10y ago

I can't find this info anywhere: is the screen matte?

fit2rule 10y ago
It is, at least on the Pandora. I don't think this has changed for Pyra ..
dTal 10y ago
It looks that way: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChUw89lW4AA7rc-.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChUw89lW4AA7rc-.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdRk7oEWwAEYRNq.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdRk7oEWwAEYRNq.jpg

chadlavi 10y ago

Is this a joke?

Paul_S 10y ago
No. Why do you think it could be a joke?
- chadlavi 10y ago
  Because it looks like a cell phone from 2005? because it has a small screen running what, if the product image is accurate, seems to be an unmodified desktop version of the OS? It's a usability nightmare.
Grazester 10y ago
I don't know about the joke part but I cant see it appeal of it.
kodfodrasz 10y ago
Modular, Open Source hardware may seem to be a joke to some people. :S I'm looking forward to developing full stack ES6 application on the go on my Pyra! Finally the power of Linux at my fingertips even on the BART! Though I hope the Debian can be changed to Arch...
- ParadisoShlee 10y ago
  There is no reason ArchARM shouldn't work out of the box... I might even consider branching off a release

Gys 10y ago

As a mobile linux solution i am looking forward to the pocketCHIP which should arrive this month. A bit basic maybe but cheap and useful enough for non-graphical stuff. At least thats what i hope.

aervo 10y ago
I am looking forward that device's release as well. If it turns out well I will order one.

SRSposter 10y ago

Will you be able to put a ThinkPad TrackPoint on the nubs?

dTal 10y ago
Amazingly, yes. The whole thing disassembles by unscrewing, and as the nubs are separate components you could replace them with whatever you wanted. Given that both TrackPoints and the nubs use a square peg, it might even just fit without an adapter. However it still wouldn't work the same - a TrackPoint responds to force, while the nubs actually move.

WatchDog 10y ago

Wow that site is so responsive it hurts, never see sites that actually expand to a 2560x1440 screen.

buzztiaan 10y ago

ordered mine just now <3

fit2rule 10y ago
Me too! Can't wait!

ddigit 10y ago

Been waiting for this project ever since it was announced, a most worthy upgrade from my Pandora. What width the potential for DC, PSP and PC emulation along with 4G, this should cover most of my mobile needs, maybe I can even get rid of my smart phone for something with days or weeks of battery time again.

ParadisoShlee 10y ago

I own an OpenPandora, and I adore it.. 8 year old tech, originally sold by a fraud (not involved in Pyra) and supported by a small team of super passionate fans running a community as a hobby. I've preordered and cannot wait to upgrade my Pandora, which I use every few days.. even if it's just playing PS1 games on the train.