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Pandora (computer)

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Pandora
Second-latest design rendering of the Pandora open-source game system (missing the Bluetooth indicator light).
ManufacturerOpenPandora.
TypeHandheld game console / UMPC / PDA hybrid
CPU600 MHz OMAP3530 ARM Cortex-A8 (32 Bit) and
430 MHz TMS320C64x+™ DSP Core, NEON & TRADE SIMD CoProcessor[1]
Memory256 MB low power DDR-333
StorageDual SDHC slots, 512 MB internal NAND, USB external storage
GraphicsPowerVR SGX 530 at 110 MHz
ConnectivityWi-Fi, USB 2.0, Bluetooth

The Pandora is a handheld game console, that is available for pre-order as of September 30, 2008 and will begin shipping around November 30, 2008. Designers have stated that it is more powerful than any existing handheld video game console.[1]

The Pandora costs around £199 (including VAT), $330, €212 (excluding VAT).

Development

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]

Overview

The Pandora system will have an open source, Linux OS based on Ångström. The Pandora is designed to be a handheld game console, with PDA capabilities.

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,[4] and the Pandora is thought by its developers to have the potential to emulate most if not all machines older than the PlayStation.[5] The Pandora's keyboard and touchscreen should allow interaction with Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, MSX, Atari ST and other classic home computer emulators.

In addition, it is speculated that the powerful processor and GPU may provide the potential for development of emulators of more advanced systems such as the Nintendo 64. Some are even hopeful for emulators for systems as powerful as the Sega Dreamcast, though the probability of such an emulator working well is very unlikely.

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.[6]

On September 30th, Open Pandora started taking pre-orders for the Pandora unit. The number of pre-orders for the unit was so large that Pandora's creator Craig Rothwell chose to set a manufacturing number based on the pre-orders taken before October 6th, incidentally making up "almost exactly 4000" units.[7] Approximately 100 pre-orders were made through PayPal, but PayPal canceled them for unspecified reasons. The Pandora team is currently working on resolving the situation[7] (more updates: [3], [4])

Specifications

  • Texas Instruments OMAP3530 processor at 600MHz (Manufacturer reports that it can be overclocked to 900MHz[8])
  • 256MB DDR-333 SDRAM
  • 512MB NAND FLASH memory
  • IVA2+ audio and video processor (based on the TMS320C64x+ DSP Core at 430MHz) using Texas Instruments's DaVinci technology
  • ARM Cortex-A8 superscalar microprocessor core
  • PowerVR SGX 530 (110 MHz) OpenGL ES 2.0 compliant 3D hardware
  • Integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
  • Integrated Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (3Mbit/s) (Class 2, +4dBm)[9]
  • 800x480 resolution touchscreen LCD, 4.3" widescreen, 16.7 million colors (300 cd/m2 brightness, 450:1 contrast ratio)
  • Dual analog nubs; 15mm diameter, concave, 2mm travel from centre
  • Full gamepad controls plus shoulder buttons
  • Dual SDHC card slots (currently up to 64GB of storage)
  • Headphone output up to 150mW/channel into 16 ohms, 99dB SNR
  • TV output (S-Video)
  • Internal microphone plus ability to connect external microphone through headset
  • 43 button QWERTY and numeric keypad
  • USB 2.0 OTG port (480Mb/s) with capability to charge the Pandora
  • USB 2.0 HOST port (480Mb/s) capable of providing standard 500mA current to attached devices
  • Externally accessible UART for hardware hacking and debugging
  • Brick prevention with integrated bootloader for safe code experimentation
  • Runs the Linux kernel (2.6.x)
  • 4000mAH rechargeable lithium ion battery
  • Approximately 10 hours of runtime for video / general applications and 100 hours for music playback
  • Dimensions: 140x83x27mm[9](5.51x3.27x1.06 in)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Official OpenPandora Site
  2. ^ Why the Pandora came to be
  3. ^ ARM Press Release
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ Official 'semi-speculative' emulator list
  6. ^ [2] OpenPandora Blog post, "The Good the Bad and the Ugly" by EvilDragon]
  7. ^ a b Rothwell, Craig. Post on official forums. Monday, October 6, 2008.
  8. ^ Zodttd Status Report
  9. ^ a b MWeston's Site
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