Pandora (console)

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Pandora

Second-latest design rendering of the Pandora open-source game system (missing the Bluetooth indicator light).
Manufacturer	OpenPandora.
Type	Handheld game console / UMPC / PDA hybrid
CPU	600 MHz OMAP3530 ARM Cortex-A8 (32 Bit) and 430 MHz TMS320C64x+ DSP Core, NEON & TRADE SIMD coprocessor[1]
Storage capacity	Dual SDHC slots, 512 MB internal NAND, USB external storage
Graphics	PowerVR SGX 530 at 110 MHz
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, Bluetooth
Website	OpenPandora

The Pandora is an upcoming handheld game console built on open source principles. It is developed by OpenPandora, which is made up of former distributors and community members of the GP32 and GP2X handhelds.

The designers have stated that it is more powerful than any handheld video game console that existed when it was announced.^[1] It includes several features that no handheld game consoles have previously had, making it a stage between an ordinary handheld console and a UMPC. The first batch will be 4000 devices.

Contents 1 Development history 2 Overview 3 Specifications 4 Similar products 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Development history

Development of the Pandora began when Craig Rothwell, Fatih Kilic, Michael Mrozek and (later) Michael Weston teamed up and planned a portable system that would excel in the areas where they thought the GP32 and GP2X systems (from Gamepark and Gamepark Holdings respectively) were flawed.^[2] The Pandora was designed based on ideas and suggestions contributed by GP32X forum members, with the goal of creating the ultimate open source handheld device.^[3]

The release of the console has been delayed many times. Originally it was estimated by the developers that the console would be released in 2007. 3000 units were finally available for pre-order on September 30, 2008,^[2] but demand was so high that the developers chose to increase this number to 4000, all of which were sold in under a week. The console was expected to begin shipping around November 30, 2008, but the creators report that it was delayed due to several compounding factors. In June 2009 Craig suggested in the forums that a July release was likely.^[4] Later in June, EvilDragon suggested that while that estimate was optimistic, some units may start shipping as early as August or September. ^[5]

[edit] Overview

The Pandora is designed to be a handheld game console with high-end PDA capabilities, but may also be run as a low-power full-featured Linux desktop.

The Pandora system by default will come with an open source, Linux OS based on Ångström,^[6] running the minimal Matchbox window manager,^[7] both originally designed for mobile devices. The interface will be custom themed to fit the small form factor and unique usability requirements of the device, which comes with a stylus and a touchscreen, as well as analogue pads and keyboard for input. As with any Linux distribution, users will have the capability to install and run their own desktop environment, such as the light footprint Enlightenment and XFCE, or even fully featured ones like GNOME and KDE4. Users may even install other Linux distributions like Ubuntu^[8][9] or Gentoo^[10] themselves.

One of the main uses of the Pandora is for homebrew gaming and the emulation of older computer systems and video game consoles, which is possible through efficient use of the resources made available by the Texas Instruments OMAP 3530 SoC. The Pandora developers have already shown working emulators for PlayStation, Amiga, Super NES, Atari Jaguar and Sega Mega Drive software,^[11] and the Pandora is thought by its developers to have the potential to emulate most if not all machines older than the PlayStation.^[12]

The high resolution screen, long battery life, mini-jack sound output, and capable CPU, in conjunction with the two SDHC slots that combined allow for up to 64 gigabytes of data to be stored on the machine (depending on the size of SDHC cards used), make the Pandora ideal as a portable media playback device.

The Pandora uses standard libraries such as OpenGL ES and SDL which are freely available, allowing anyone who wishes the ability to develop for the system. Many developers from the GP2x community have publicly stated that they will be developing applications for the new system.

The Pandora will have an existing software base due to having a package manager that will accept Debian packages for the ARM (little-endian ARM) architecture. A GIT repository will be available immediately upon release of the system, allowing for download of the latest kernel source.^[13]

[edit] Specifications

• Texas Instruments OMAP3530 System-on-Chip with Cortex-A8 at 600MHz ^[14][15]
• 256MB DDR-333 SDRAM^[14]
• 512MB NAND FLASH memory^[14]
• IVA2+ audio and video processor (based on the TMS320C64x+ DSP Core at 430MHz) using Texas Instruments's DaVinci technology^[14]
• ARM Cortex-A8 superscalar microprocessor core^[14]
• PowerVR SGX 530 (110 MHz) OpenGL ES 2.0 compliant 3D hardware^[14]
• Integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b/g^[14]
• Integrated Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (3Mbit/s) (Class 2, +4dBm)^[14]
• 800x480 resolution touchscreen LCD, 4.3" widescreen, 16.7 million colors (300 cd/m2 brightness, 450:1 contrast ratio)^[14]
• Dual analog nubs; 15mm diameter, concave, 2.5mm travel from centre^[14][16]
• Full gamepad controls plus shoulder buttons^[14]
• Dual SDHC card slots (currently supporting up to 32GB of storage each, supports SDIO)^[14]
• Headphone output up to 150mW/channel into 16 ohms, 99dB SNR^[14]
• TV output (composite and S-Video)^[14]
• Internal microphone plus ability to connect external microphone through headset^[14]
• 43 button QWERTY and numeric keypad^[14]
• USB 2.0 OTG port (480Mb/s) with capability to charge the Pandora^[14]
• USB 2.0 HOST port (480Mb/s) capable of providing standard 500mA current to attached devices^[14]
• Externally accessible UART for hardware hacking and debugging^[14]
• Brick prevention with integrated bootloader for safe code experimentation^[14]
• Runs the Linux kernel (2.6.x)^[14]
• 4000mAH rechargeable lithium polymer battery^[17][18]
• Estimated 8.5-10+ hour battery life for games, 10+ hour battery life for video and general applications, and theoretically 100+ hours for music playback (with backlight off and maximum power management)^[19][20]
• Dimensions: 140x83x27mm (5.51x3.27x1.06 in)^[14]
• Weight: 335 g^[21]

[edit] Similar products

Other single-board computers using OMAP3500 series processors include OSWALD developed by Oregon State University students for computer science education, Beagle Board, and Gumstix Overo series. The Gizmondo 2 is a potential commercial competitor of the Pandora.

[edit] See also

• Atari Portfolio
• Cambridge Z88
• Gizmondo 2
• GP2X
• UMPC
• GP2X Wiz
• Open source hardware

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Pandora site
• German site
• Pandora Wiki
• Engadget Article
• LinuxDevices Article
• Pandora Homebrew

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