Pandora (console)
| Pandora | ||
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 Image synthesis of the prototype: The Pandora with the corresponding input pen |
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| Manufacturer | OpenPandora GmbH | |
| Type | Handheld / UMPC | |
| publication |
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| Main processor | SoC : TI OMAP 3530, TI DM3730 | |
| Graphics processor | PowerVR SGX 530 | |
| Storage media | SD cards , USB 2.0 | |
| Controller | Integrated: D-pad, analog sticks, buttons, keyboard | |
| predecessor | GP2X (unofficial) | |
| successor | Pyra (in development) | |
The Pandora (project name: OpenPandora ) is a handheld console based on Linux and free software .
The device, which was developed with the participation of an online public community , is considered the unofficial successor to the GP2X from Gamepark Holdings .
overview
The Pandora functions - comparable to a full-fledged PC - as a comprehensive multimedia, game and work platform, which also includes the use of programs developed by hand (especially homebrew ) , which is unusual for handhelds . The software development is basically free to everyone , whether private or commercial; hence the project name. Its name is a reference to Pandora's box from Greek mythology.
According to the manufacturer, the Pandora is particularly suitable for emulators . This means that classic game consoles , home computers and arcade machines can be faithfully reproduced on the device. Functional are PlayStation , Super NES , Mega Drive , Game Boy , Amiga , MS-DOS , and many others. While most game consoles have copy protection mechanisms, the Pandora does not have such mechanisms. In order to play a desired game, it only needs to be in the form of an image , e.g. B. as ROM exist.
For software and computer games for which the source code is available, so-called source ports were created for the Pandora platform instead of emulation approaches . Notable examples are the PC / DOS computer games Jagged Alliance 2 and Homeworld , which were migrated to the Pandora platform with the help of SDL .
Another special feature are the binary, static recompiles of complex software for the Pandora platform created by the Pandora community with specially developed tools . For example, in 2014 an ARM version of the 1998 computer game StarCraft was generated and made available from the original x86 version through static recompilation and additional reverse engineering .
Development history
The starting point for the development of the Pandora was the meeting of several private individuals in February 2007 with the intention of producing a portable, multifunctional device. These people were the Englishman Craig Rothwell, the Turk Fatih Kilic, the German Michael Mrozek and the later Canadian Michael Weston. They maintained their first mutual contact in an Internet forum intended for users and programmers , which was dedicated to the GP32 and GP2X , two handheld consoles manufactured in South Korea , as a basis for discussion. In April 2007, the community was informed about the planned project, which initially aroused general skepticism and later great enthusiasm. Supported by ideas and suggestions from numerous forum members, the Pandora was created within a few years, which was supposed to complement its two unofficial predecessors where there was a lack of desirable additional functions and, as a prototype, claimed the status of the ultimate open source handheld long before its publication . As official distributors of the GP2X in Europe, Rothwell, Kilic and Mrozek felt they were also connected by their own desire to adapt the product to the requirements of their customers and to improve accordingly. The management of the project was always left to those three or four, as communication and management across four different locations around the world is difficult enough.
In October 2008, pre-orders for the first production series were accepted. The series reached a number of approximately 4,000. The delivery was initially planned for the end of November 2008, but was delayed due to the financial crisis in 2007 and slowdowns in production. Devices were delivered to customers for the first time in May 2010. In November 2013 there were again delivery delays, but this time due to increased demand.
On May 31, 2014, the case data and wiring diagram were released for non-commercial use.
hardware
The structure of the Pandora is similar to a netbook , but it is a lot smaller. In addition to a 4.3 "display with 800 × 480 pixels, stereo loudspeakers and a microphone are built in. External headphones can also be connected. With the inserted lithium-polymer battery , the device can run on energy for around ten hours even at maximum performance can be supplied; alternatively, it can be operated via a mains adapter.
Input options are a QWERTY keyboard with a separate row of numbers, a touchscreen with input pen , an eight-way control pad , two analog sticks , four action buttons and two shoulder buttons.
The Pandora can be connected to a television or projector using an adapter cable (TV-out).
To save space, a USB 2.0 controller was installed on the circuit board. Thanks to a USB 2.0 hub , USB 1.1 devices such as B. mouse and keyboard operable. In addition, the Pandora has a USB OTG connection. This supports both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices.
Data exchange and access to the Internet are possible wirelessly via WLAN and Bluetooth .
The different model versions have a working memory of 256 MB to 512 MB RAM. With the exception of some plastic parts, production takes place in Germany and Great Britain, with the assembly of the main circuit board and final assembly being carried out in Germany.
USB mass storage devices , SD cards or the built-in NAND flash are used as storage media .
software
The Pandora is supplied with the Super Zaxxon operating system (Vers. 1.60 RC). It is essentially based on the Ångström Linux distribution . Xfce and the mini menu specially developed for Pandora are available as desktop environments by default .
Pandora uses program libraries such as OpenGL ES or SDL , which are freely available and allow anyone to write programs for the device. This makes it easier for inexperienced developers to get started with "Pandora programming".
PND system
At first it was considered to use a package manager to make the software easier to use. However, because removing an SD card would lead to inconsistencies in the database, a dedicated software manager, the PND system, was developed.
A PND file contains all program files as well as an XML file with meta information such as title, author and content descriptions. Icons and screenshots can also be included. After inserting the memory card, programs stored on it are automatically recognized and automatically categorized on the desktop and / or in the start menu.
Specifications
| Classic Edition | Pandora Rebirth Edition | 1GHz edition | ||
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| CPU | Type | TI OMAP 3530 ( ARM Cortex-A8) | TI DM3730 (ARM Cortex-A8) | |
| Standard cycle | 600 MHz (clockable up to 850 MHz or higher) | 1 GHz (clockable up to 1.2 GHz) | ||
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Working memory |
size | 256 MB | 512 MB | |
| Type | DDR-333 SDRAM | |||
| Tact | 166 MHz | 200 MHz | ||
| GPU | Type | PowerVR SGX 530, OpenGL ES 2.0 compatible 3D hardware | ||
| Tact | 110 MHz | 200 MHz | ||
| Internal memory | 512 MB NAND flash memory | |||
| Controls | two analog sticks (15 mm diameter, concave), four action buttons (A / X / B / Y), full gamepad with shoulder buttons (L / R), QWERTY keyboard with 43 keys and number pad |
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| Video output | ( FBAS and S-Video ) | |||
| USB | USB 2.0 OTG port with charging option | |||
| USB 2.0 HOST port with 500 mA power supply for connected devices | ||||
| screen |
Touchscreen - LCD , resolution 800 × 480, diagonal 4.3 "(approx. 11 cm), 16.7 million colors (300 cd / m² brightness, 450: 1 contrast resolution ) |
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| battery pack | LiPo battery with 4200 mAh | |||
| running time | up to 14 h (for videos / standard applications, with reduced workload), 100 h for music |
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| other properties |
IVA2 + audio and video processor |
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| Housing dimensions | 140 mm × 83.4 mm × 27.5 mm | |||
| Weight | 335 g (with battery) | |||
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Pandora UMPC aiming for gamers' hearts Pocket Gamer, Stuart Dredge, April 15, 2008
- ↑ a b Pandora: Between Netbooks and Mobile Game Consoles Netzwelt, Jan Johannsen, July 11, 2008
- ↑ Pandora: New Pictures of the Linux Handheld ( Memento from January 31, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Chip Online, May 15, 2008
- ↑ Andrew Burnes: Jagged Alliance 2 Source Code To Be Bundled With Wildfire . ign.com. February 25, 2004. Archived from the original on January 8, 2013. Retrieved on December 23, 2012.
- ↑ Jagged Alliance 2 on repo.openpandora.org
- ^ Andy Largent: Homeworld Source Code Released . Inside Mac Games . October 8, 2003. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ↑ pandorapress staff: Game of the Week # 3 - Homeworld SDL . pandorapress.net. June 23, 2011. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved on April 24, 2013: “ [...] released port of HomeworldSDL. [...] enables your Pandora to experience the excellent work done by the guys at HomeworldSDL. "
- ↑ notaz: Starcraft . openpandora.org. March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2014: " The" no source, no port "rule is not completely true, you can get something similar (but not the same) as a port through static recompilation. Similar stuff was done several times by M-HT for some DOS games. The game was also converted for Android with a somewhat similar approach. "
- ^ Warcraft: Orcs & Humans . repo.openpandora.org. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ↑ Peter Steinlechner: Starcraft compiled for ARM handheld ( German ) golem.de. March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
- ↑ notaz: StarCraft . repo.openpandora.org. March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
- ↑ ARM press report of May 9, 2008 ( Memento of August 7, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Linux game handheld Pandora can be pre-ordered Golem.de, Peter Steinlechner, October 1, 2008
- ↑ OpenPandora: Housing data and circuit diagram disclosed heise.de, June 2, 2014
- ↑ Pandora Wiki (Permalink) USB reference, accessed April 7, 2012
- ↑ Device specifications openpandora.org
- ↑ FAQ openpandora.org
- ^ The History of the Pandora, last paragraph: The Year 2011
- ↑ Pandora Wiki (Permalink) PXML specification, accessed April 7, 2012
- ↑ Technical details openpandora.org, accessed April 7, 2012