pandora: open source linux gaming handheld on [technabob]

pandora: open source linux gaming handheld

filed under: computing | mobile tech | video games

posted: April 12th, 2008 10 comments author: technabob

While the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS have cornered the mainstream handheld video game market, there’s still plenty of room for systems for those of us who don’t mind getting our hands a little bit dirty. Fresh on the scene is the Pandora, a portable game console that’s designed from the ground up as an open source system.

Pandora Open Source Linux Handheld

The compact handheld will run a customized Linux distro in firmware, and is targeted to assume the throne from the aging GP2X platform.

Pandora Linux Handheld Video Game Console

The Pandora’s clamshell case will be roughly the size of a Nintendo DS, and will offer a substantial color LCD touchscreen display. To further support its gaming chops, the Pandora will sport dual analog joypads, a digital D-pad, A-B-X-Y buttons and a QWERTY keyboard just for kicks (or if you want to do more than play games).

Pandora Linux Console Closed

The CPU under the hood is said to be powerful enough to emulate everything from the NES to the Super Nintendo to the Sony PlayStation all at full speed. Full specs are listed below:

ARM® Cortex™-A8 CPU running Linux
800×480 4.3″ 16.7 million color touchscreen LCD
OpenGL 2.0 ES compliant 3D hardware
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
Dual SDHC card slots
Dual analog and digital gaming controls
43 button QWERTY and numeric keypad
TV output
High Speed USB Host

The Pandora development team expects to start releasing developer kit in the next couple of months, with a goal of a full-on consumer launch this Summer. Retail pricing is expected to be around £199 (inc VAT) / $330 USD / €212 (Ex.VAT).

[OpenPandora via Retro Thing]

[Pandora FAQ]

10 comments comment

1. manchicken | April 14th, 2008 at 11:02 pm

Now let’s see some games! Yeah!
2. Menu Inicio | April 16th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

[…] Via Technabob
3. sublime | April 20th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

now if i could only program some cool action rpgs … and a good video hockey game … I’d be in heaven
4. Barnaby | April 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am

Nice article, it’s good to see the Pandora is getting more and more noticed, but you’ve made a mistake - it is not definite, nor is it likely, we will see Sega Saturn emulation at full speed. I doubt the creators want people getting the wrong idea about the Pandora, so perhaps you should remove the Sega Saturn from the article?
5. technabob | April 28th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

Barnaby: I don’t recall exactly where I read that about the Saturn — I thought it was on the FAQ page. Regardless, I’ll strike it from the article.
6. dandantheshitcanman | April 29th, 2008 at 3:01 am

Seems like it trying too hard to be all things to all people.

Imagine using that keyboard for more than a few lines…

[shudder]
7. Zoop | May 6th, 2008 at 3:46 am

Yeah, I don’t think a Handheld like this really needs a keyboard. I’d rather see those analog sticks on that place instead so they are easier to reach. Can you imagine using the A-B-X-Y buttons and the 2 analog sticks at the same time? I can’t ….

Anyhow, I’d love to see this lil machine, as there really isn’t anything like it on the market. All I want is Quake 3 at full speed and decent controls on a handheld (they’ve gotten it to run on an iPod Touch, but still no decent controls)

How hard could it be to make a handheld game console that runs either Windows Mobile or Linux. Much like a PDA with a decent button layout like the Zodiac, why aren’t there more (powerful) machines like the Zodiac.
8. Amazing Me | May 8th, 2008 at 7:03 am

Zoop: how would you use both analogs AND a-b-x-y buttons at the same time anyway, regardless of their position? Do you have more than 2 thumbs?
9. Danny | May 13th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

The NDS still kicks ass .. but who knows, maybe this one will actually have some success.
10. Dorival | May 18th, 2008 at 7:11 am

This machine will be best of Asus EEPC !!!