GP32, the Pandora and the Pyra – past, present and future of OpenSource-(Gaming)-Handhelds Michael Mrozek (EvilDragon)
1. The GP32 started it all (2001) • Originally closed source, commercial handheld made by a small company from Korea • Using standard SmartMediaCards: Hacked and opened up for homebrew by the community
2. The successor: GP2X goes Linux (2005) • As the GP32 better thanks to the homebrew community, GPH decided to focus on OpenSource, not locking down the community • GP2X was the most successful OpenSource dedicated handheld out there
3. The split: Gaming handhelds and a mini PC suited for gaming (2008) • Created by former community members and distributors of the GP2X, the Pandora is born • A mixture of a gaming PC and a miniature PC opens a lot more possibilities – for gamers, developers and business users
4. The Pandora • Created based on ideas from the community • Core team consisting of fjve people – scattered all over the world • First OpenSource handheld to run a Linux desktop with standard libraries • Production issues (partly due to inexperience) lead to huge delays • Release was planned end of 2008 – in reality it happened in 2010. • The project nearly died thanks to one of the core members but has been saved and resurrected by the others and the community. • Production running stable since 2011, over 7000 units sold and delivered • End of Life 2014 (Some parts are impossible to be sourced)
5. Technical Details • Processor: OMAP3 Cortex A8 with 3D SGX GPU • Bluetooth + Wifj • Memory: 512MB internal NAND and 512MB RAM • 4,3” 800x480 touchscreen • 2 SDXC Card slots (up to 2x256GB) • Mini USB Port, USB2.0 Host Port • Analog TV Out, Serial out • Keyboard, Gaming Controls • Huge replaceable battery with more than 10 hours usage time
6. Pandora main uses overview • Play classic games via an emulator (consoles, computers, handhelds, DOS) • Play native Linux games and ports / remakes • Use as general purpose mini PC (Internet, administration, offjce suite, Music production, etc.) • Develop and compile directly on the system • Both suited for normal users (no Linux experience needed, everything pre-installed, easy package manager available) → Large community has developed around it, consisting of all kinds of difgerent members (devs, musicians, users, gamers, etc.)
7. Things that can be improved • Small NAND: Special Linux distribution needed (OpenEmbedded) → a lot of work to keep up-to-date (you can run OS from SD Card) → But: Own, easy to use package format has been created • CPU is a bit slow for demanding tasks • Not enough RAM for proper desktop usage • HDMI port missing • Keyboard can't be seen in the dark • Screen resolution is less than 800x600 (which is what a lot of Linux programs use as minimum resolution) • Case / Nub quality • Some closed-source drivers (Wifj, SGX)
8. Things that are great • Size, battery life, combination of keyboard and gaming controls • Standard Linux system: Easy to port programs and games to • Analog volume wheel • Standard I/O ports • Open, free, fmexible, no registration needed, unbrickable design • PND-System (incl. PNDManager): Uses SD-Cards for programs System is not afgected if SD Card is lost / broken Easy to handle both directly on the system or from any PC • Standard hardware: Software is being optimized to run perfectly on the system
9. Pyra • Internal storage: MicroSD Card and 8/16/32GB eMMc • CPU upgraded to OMAP5 Cortex A15 (about 8 times as fast) • RAM upgraded to 2GB • Standard HDMI port • Backlit keyboard (brightness can be adjusted in software) • 5” 1280x720 LCD T ouchscreen • Better nubs, Case designed and produced in Europe (Greece) • Standard Ports: USB2.0, Micro USB3.0 OTG, Micro USB Debug / Charging Port, USB2.0/eSATA combo port • Working with European companies to ensure quality and faster turnaround in development / production • … but still some closed-source drivers (at least SGX)
Keep what's good Improve what can be improved Learn from the past to improve development / production.
Operating System: • Standard Debian ARM with optimized packages to support hardware features (acceleration, power saving, etc.) • User-Friendly default setup • Include useful Pandora-Developments as standard (OpenGL Wrapper (glshim), PND-System, etc.) → We provide our own repository with Pyra-optimized / specialized stufg on top of the standard Debian repository Goal: Not to create a custom distribution. Stick to main Debian as close as possible and ofger improvements on top
Case: • Designed and manufactured in Greece, based on the Pandora case and community input and my ideas Current status: • Basic design fjnished, now being optimized together with the PCB designer • Some things will still change (LCD, Battery, etc.) as we haven't decided on those
Keymat: • Keymat is currently being designed • transparent silicon keymat with plastic caps glued on top
PCB: • Pyra has 3 PCBs: Mainboard, CPU board (replaceable!), LCD-Driver board Current Status: • Mainboard Layout is mostly fjnished, currently being tweaked together with the case designer • LCD Driver PCB layout is mostly fjnished as well • CPU PCB: Size and location of parts fjnished. Layouting will start this month
Follow the development: Development happens in the public! See how everything takes shape. Learn about production, issues, solutions with our blog posts and forum answers. http://www.pyra-handheld.com/ T witter: EvilDragon1717 Forum: http://boards.openpandora.org/
Sales, availability, ordering, Price? • Preorders won't start before everything is ready for mass production (means: Working prototypes with cases!) • Price: Not fjxed yet, probably about 500 EUR • First batch exclusively available from my own shop, distributors will be setup worldwide after that • At least 1000 units need to be preordered • Kickstarter? Maybe – to increase popularity and ofger stretch goals • Availability? Most probably sometime 2015!
Thanks for listening :) All kind of support (ideas, donations, development, sharing) is welcome! Get the Pandora, more OpenSource handhelds and Retro stufg: https://www.dragonbox.de/
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