The developers of the DragonBox Pyra are designing a handheld game console with a 5 inch, 720p screen, an ARM Cortex-A15 processor, 2GB of RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a compact design, while still featuring game controller buttons and a QWERTY keyboard.
The system is designed to be as open as possible, supporting GNU/Linux software.
The project was unveiled over a year ago as a sort of follow-up to the OpenPandora and it could ship by the end of 2015. So how are things going so far? One of the project’s leaders recently released a video showing the latest prototype.
Here’s a roundup of tech news from around the web. You can keep up on the latest headlines by following Liliputing on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.
- DragonBox Pyra open game console progress update
The design of the printed circuit board is said to be finalized and working properly, while there’s still a bit of work to go on some of the other components. [OpenPandora and PandoraLive] - It might cost as little as $84 to build a $349 Apple Watch Sport
That doesn’t include the cost or research, marketing, distribution, and plenty of other expenses… but there’s still plenty of room for a healthy profit margin if Apple sells enough of the little guys. [IHS/BusinessWire] - Sony releases special bootloaders that make it easier to boot from recovery partition on some phones
There are already ways to install custom ROMs on Sony Xperia phones, but this could make the process easier… and safer. [FXP] - Asus C201 Chromebook w/RK3288 processor now available for $169
The notebook has an 11.6 inch display, 802.11ac WiFi, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. In other words it has similar specs to the Haier and HiSense Chromebooks, but costs $20 more. On the other hand, Asus has a much longer history of producing Chromebooks and laptops in general than those companies, so it might be worth paying a little more to buy from a company you trust (if Asus happens to be a company you trust). [Amazon] - Micromax’s next Yu smartphone coming in mid-May
The Indian phone maker already offers one smartphone with Cyanogen OS software under the Yu brand. Now another is on the way. [@YUplaygod] - Cyanogen Platform SDK will let app developers integrate deeply with CyanogenMod features
For example, developers may be able to create custom Quick Settings Tiles. [Android Police] - Here’s how third-party apps will be able to integrated with Cortana in Windows 10
Cortana can answer your questions, launch apps, and do much more… partly because Microsoft is providing tools that let third-party app developers integrate their apps with Cortana. [Blogging Windows] - Looks like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chip doesn’t overheat
The Snapdragon 810 is theoretically capable of faster speeds… but it slows down when it gets too hot, which means that the 808 could actually be faster under some conditions. [Ars Technica] - HDHOmeRun DVR Kickstarter gets funded
The makers of the network-connected TV tuner want to launch software that will let you pause or record live TV using the same hardware (and a network-attached storage device). [SiliconDust/Kickstarter] - Plex adds new music features
That includes a sort-by-mood option, support for music videos, new playlist settings, and more. [Plex/YouTube]
I followed the Open Pandora project from the beginning (when it was just a discussion on the gp2x forums). I really wanted one, but when it came out it was far too expensive, and there were other toys that stole my attention. I cant remember the exact price for the original Pandora, but I remember prices of $500-700 for various models over the years.
Around 2008 and 2009 was also when Android was taking off. There were alot of promising electronics on the horizon, and there was no reason to spend such a silly amount of money, no matter how specialized it was to my desires of a portable retro gaming system.
The qwerty-keyboard made it very interesting in 2008, because that is around the time that Smartphones were abandoning the idea of physical buttons, and my portable-emulator days were numbered (I was looking for a replacement to my aging Windows Mobile device).
Now its 2015, and I’ve learned I can live without a qwerty-keyboard (or at least I wont pay $500 for one), and an Android tablet with gamepad controls costs $130 (check out the JXD S7800B).
I`ve owned lots of open source portable handhelds over the years (GP32, GP2X, Dingoo, etc), and they all suited my needs. Right now, if I wanted to play retro console games, I would pick up a GCW-Zero for $160.
I don’t see myself wanting a combination UMPC/Gaming system anymore. My UMPC desires are optimistic about the future of Windows 10 devices, and my retro-gaming desires are satisfied with the devices in the $150-200 range.
Having said all this, the Dragonbox Pyra looks like a very cool device, and I do like the OS.
exactly
i bought GP2X Wiz and Archos Gamepad. The later had the advantage of running Android Games and having usable browser/mail-client/whatever what made it far more fun, while the Wiz is the perfect size for a mobile gaming system.
I loved both devices, even though both have problems, and used the heck out of them.
I wouldn’t buy another device like these.
Why? I now tend to play right on my smartphone. On-Screen-Buttons still suck, but i got a DS4-Controller and a GCM10 mount to attach it to my phone. It does all what those previous devices did, if i have DS4 with me, then it does it better. If not, then i’m still able to play AND have all my savegames with me.
Yes it looks like a great device. 2-3 Years ago i’d have bought it instantly. Now i wouldn’t even consider it.
If your use of the device is exclusively to play 16 bit and earlier games, I agree with the GCW-Zero recommendation. . . Kinda.
I own one, and I’m sorta bummed that a lot of hardware features were ‘to be implemented by the community’. The big one being any sort of video out.
The Pandora is / was a great device for someone who likes a full ARM based Linux system in their pocket. There’s not ANYTHING like it that has been made in the last 8 years. IIRC, only the Sharp Zaurus came close.
You’re right, the Pandora is the only device that I can think of that provided a desktop Linux experience in a sub-notebook/UMPC device. But just because it is unique, doesn’t make it relevant.
But I think the reason it is so unique is a lack of relevance. The ‘cool’ factor is definitely still there. But when I think about the things I want to use that device for, all of those things can be done on an Android device.
When it comes to UMPCs, I’m not even slightly interested in ARM powered Linux (theres just not enough software available). I’m waiting for the return of devices like the Sony Vaio P (UMPC-sized 7″ clamshell laptop).
When it comes to portable gaming, I don’t see any need for further innovation.
When it comes to a crossover device that costs more than both devices combined, not really interested.
The low-volume, low-interest nature of a device like this just doesn’t allow for the price I have in mind. Something like this could be made for $200, if there were more buyers.
I wish they’d have used Atom but it’s definitely an interesting project.
Not sure why they don’t have a more normal keyboard though.
They don’t have a more normal Keyboard because it’s a Gaming Handheld first, and a full fledged Linux Machine Second. The Reason they didn’t go with Intel is twofold, firstly they order CPUs in such low quantities that most chip manufacturers won’t even talk to them, secondly they try to maintain backwards compatibility with the OpenPandora which also was ARM.
Linux is the best choice, this an interesting project.
I used to want an OpenPandora really bad, but I used a Nokia N900 around then and it was essentially the same thing, so I never bought one in the end. Same story with the Sharp Netwalker.