Pandora

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Pandora

Manufacturer	OpenPandora
Type	Handheld game console / UMPC / PDA hybrid
Operating system	Custom edition of Ångström (Linux)
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
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, Bluetooth
Website	open-pandora.org

	Linux portal
	Video games portal

The Pandora is a handheld game console designed to take advantage of existing open source software and to be a target for homebrew development. It is developed by OpenPandora, which is made up of former distributors and community members of the GP32 and GP2X handhelds.

When announcing the system, the designers of Pandora stated that it would be more powerful than any handheld video game console that had yet existed.^[1] It includes several features that no handheld game consoles have previously had, making it a cross between a handheld game console and a subnotebook.

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 final case and keymat design was made by DaveC, who was known on the forums for custom hardware modifications.^[4]

The release of the console had been delayed many times. Originally it was estimated by the developers that the console would be released in 2007. OpenPandora began taking pre-orders for one batch of 4000 devices on September 30, 2008^[2][5] but numerous launch dates were missed.^{[1][6][7][8][9][10][11]}

OpenPandora began shipping to customers on May 21, 2010,^[12][13] but as of late 2011 many customers on the preorder list still report not receiving one.^[14] On 27 January 2011 OpenPandora claimed to offer units for immediate delivery at a higher price than the customers on the preorder list were promised, but it is unclear how many actually shipped.^[15][16][17] On August 23, 2011 OpenPandora announced it would shift its production to Germany and that the device would be delayed again.^[18]

It was announced on December the 24th 2011 that the initial production testing was successful and PCB production will proceed as planned in Germany. Simultaneously it was reported that the remaining units will feature 512MB RAM as a result of the old hardware no longer being available. A plan for an upgrade program was mentioned, aimed at previous customers in possession of 256MB hardware who wishes to upgrade for a price.^[19]

Overview

The render of the Pandora, which was computer-created by OpenPandora in late 2008

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 system by default comes with a Linux OS based on Ångström.^[20]

The interface is custom themed to fit the small form factor and touchscreen, analogue joystick, and keyboard-based inputs available. Users can install and run their own desktop environment if they choose. Users may even install other Linux distributions like Ubuntu^[21] or Gentoo^[22] themselves.

One of Pandora's major intended uses is for homebrew gaming and for 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 Dreamcast (Dreamcast emulator was never released), PlayStation, Nintendo 64,^[23] Amiga, SNES, Atari Jaguar and Sega Mega Drive software,^[24] and the Pandora is thought by its developers to have the potential to emulate most if not all machines older than the Dreamcast.^[25]

The device is also intended for use as a portable media playback device with a storage capacity of up to 128 GB of data (64GB SDXC cards) across two SD memory card slots.^[26]

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.^{[citation needed]}

The Pandora is compatible with Debian packages built for the ARM architecture using APT. A Git repository offers the latest kernel source.^[27]

Lists on the community-maintained Pandora Wiki keep track of new software releases.^[28][29][30] Most, but not all, Pandora software is uploaded to either the Pandora Apps, the Pandora File Archive or Pandora Repo websites. The Pandora File Archive existed first and is run by Michael Mrozek. Pandora Apps was launched by Craig Rothwell in May 2010, and is designed for viewing on the Pandora's smaller screen resolution.

The Pandora Repo (yet unnamed) was developed by a member the community with help from the community. Its use has been adopted quickly as it tends to have the latest software releases first; The reason being it makes things really easy for the developer as it doesn't require him/her to enter any details about the application, these are automatically acquired from the application itself.

The Pandora Repo is also the first that uses the community created REPO specifications^[31] which allows native clients to get applications from the pandora repo without actually visiting the website (much akin to Synaptic (software) or App Store (iOS)).

Technical specifications

• Texas Instruments OMAP3530 system-on-chip with ARM Cortex-A8 at 600 MHz^[32][33]
• 256MB DDR-333 SDRAM^[32] (German Pandoras have 512MB)
• 512MB NAND flash memory^[32]
• IVA2+ audio and video processor (based on the TMS320C64x+ DSP Core at 430 MHz) using Texas Instruments' DaVinci technology^[32]
• ARM Cortex-A8 superscalar microprocessor core^[32]
• PowerVR SGX 530 (110 MHz) OpenGL ES 2.0 compliant 3D hardware^[32]
• Integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b/g^[32]
• Integrated Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (3Mbit/s) (Class 2, +4dBm)^[32]
• 800×480 resolution touchscreen LCD, 4.3" widescreen, 16.7 million colors (300 cd/m2 brightness, 450:1 contrast ratio)^[32]
• Dual analog nubs; 15mm diameter, concave, 2.5mm travel from centre^[32][34][35]
• Gamepad controls with 2 shoulder buttons^[32]
• Dual SDHC card slots (currently supporting up to 32GB of storage each, supports SDIO)^[32]
• Headphone output up to 150 mW/channel into 16 ohms, 99 dB SNR^[32]
• TV output (composite and S-Video)^[32]
• Internal microphone plus ability to connect external microphone through headset^[32]
• 43 button QWERTY and numeric keypad^[32]
• USB 2.0 OTG port (480Mb/s) with capability to charge the Pandora^[32]
• USB 2.0 host port (480Mb/s) capable of providing standard 500 mA current to attached devices^[32]
• Externally accessible UART for hardware hacking and debugging^[32]
• Brick prevention with integrated bootloader for safe code experimentation^[32]
• Runs the Linux kernel (2.6.x)^[32]
• 4200 mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery^[36][37]
• 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)^[38][39]
• Dimensions: 140×83×27mm (314 ml) (5.51×3.27×1.06 in)^[32]
• Mass: 320 g^[40] (0.739 lbs)

Similar products

Other single-board computers using OMAP3500 series processors include OSWALD developed by Oregon State University students for computer science education, Beagle Board, IGEPv2, Touch Book, and Gumstix Overo series. The Gizmondo 2 was to be a potential commercial competitor of the Pandora, but the Gizmondo 2 was cancelled.

See also

• Comparison of handheld game consoles

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pandora (console)

• Official website
• Official forums for the Pandora and iControlpad

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