Pandora is open!

J Arcane · 05-31-2010, 10:06 PM

The long in development, rumored to be basically vaporware, OpenPandora project is finally shipping hardware. Touted to be basically the top of the line in open source handheld gaming devices, it's been languishing in development hell for years now.

Well not anymore. GBAX even has pictures and video of the handheld in action and in bulk. OpenPandora's app repository is also open, and apps are trickling in to fill up your SD cards with.

The UK site seems to be the only one in English taking orders, and it's by special email request only thanks to limited numbers in stock, but $330 could potentially buy you what is shaping up to be one rock solid handheld gaming and media device.

Seriously thinking about picking one up myself. The touchscreen only control situation on my Nexus makes gaming kind of a bust, honestly.

Hawkzombie · 06-01-2010, 12:38 AM

330 seems a bit pricey to me. I'll wait a bit, but it looks like fun.

Wackman3000 · 06-01-2010, 12:42 AM

Not sure if he is just holding the device like that so he can show the video footage of it, but if I have to use my pointing finger to control the nub, it is an instant failure in my mind without even needing to hold the damn thing.

J Arcane · 06-01-2010, 12:54 AM

Hardware wise, it's almost exactly the same hardware as the Motorola Droid. It's the catalog version of the same chipset, downclocked to the same speeds as the Droid, and it looks like you could turn up the clock to full and it'd be faster. Makes me wonder how long until someone puts Android on it. EDIT: Stupid question, of course someone has: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbFSv7lYuGg

It's also got a 4000mAh battery, though, almost 4 times the battery life and with no cell antenna to worry about.

I dunno, I think it'd be cool as hell. Especially as the software support starts pouring in. It's more than a PSP, obviously, but potentially as powerful, though I wonder how much play time I'd really get out of it. It's getting to the point where I don't do much gaming on my emulators but once in a blue moon because I've played all the games I love so many times.

J Arcane · 06-01-2010, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wackman3000

Not sure if he is just holding the device like that so he can show the video footage of it, but if I have to use my pointing finger to control the nub, it is an instant failure in my mind without even needing to hold the damn thing.

My understanding is it's intended to be held like a game controller. There's shoulder buttons even. Can't imagine them being useful if you had to hold the nubs like that.

Hawkzombie · 06-01-2010, 12:57 AM

I'm def. gonna keep an eye on it. If for nothing else than a neat little 'netbook' without being as big as one (can easily fit in my coat pocket).

J Arcane · 06-01-2010, 01:03 AM

Here's some video of Quake3 in action:

Here's one running Shenmue in a quick and dirty port of a DC emulator:

And here's just some general showing off:

Panthera · 06-01-2010, 10:58 AM

Holy shit, I totally forgot about this project. I can't believe they're actually releasing. I might just be tempted for some portable Rogue-likes.

Karak · 06-01-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Arcane

Seriously thinking about picking one up myself. The touchscreen only control situation on my Nexus makes gaming kind of a bust, honestly.

Agreed. I have been following this for some time. I am amazed at some of it's features and excited for a Dreamcast emu

I will most likely be getting one.

Purple Santa · 06-05-2010, 05:31 PM

Throw me in too with the keep an eye on this. I'm interested but not sure i'll have the money to buy one. If I do...good chance i'll buy one.

Mike Kelehan · 06-05-2010, 06:03 PM

Hopefully Nintendo is taking note of these analog nubs. They said they didn't include an analog nub on the DS because they couldn't figure out a good way to do it, and Sony... well, they didn't really figure out a good way to do it, either.

Hawkzombie · 06-08-2010, 03:55 PM

Notch, creator of Minecraft, has posted a review on his blog

It seems kinda damming to me, even with his high score he's given it. However, maybe they'll learn from the mistakes and the 2nd gen will benefit from it.

Exodus · 06-08-2010, 04:08 PM

Hmmmm...

I'd get this if it could emulate playstation 2 games. Reading into this it can only emulate up to PSX. I kinda thought if it could emulate the dreamcast the ps2 would be easy but I guess not.

Symphony of the Night would be awesome though as well as playing crusader no remorse and stuff.

Ah well, think I'll just see if the ratchet and clank version of the psp is moddable yet.

Karak · 06-08-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exodus

Hmmmm...

I'd get this if it could emulate playstation 2 games. Reading into this it can only emulate up to PSX. I kinda thought if it could emulate the dreamcast the ps2 would be easy but I guess not.

Symphony of the Night would be awesome though as well as playing crusader no remorse and stuff.

Ah well, think I'll just see if the ratchet and clank version of the psp is moddable yet.

Ps2 is more complex than the Dreamcast I believe. Maybe not a ton more power but more chips blah blah blah. Could be wrong.

But if the DC emulator is up to snuff...jezuz the YEARS I can waste on this. I think I have damn near every game now. I would so love to throw in a couple DC games in there.

Hawkzombie · 06-09-2010, 03:43 AM

It's that damn emotion chip

05-31-2010, 10:06 PM	#1
J Arcane Bedroom Wall Press Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16,555 Blog Entries: 1	Pandora is open! The long in development, rumored to be basically vaporware, OpenPandora project is finally shipping hardware. Touted to be basically the top of the line in open source handheld gaming devices, it's been languishing in development hell for years now. Well not anymore. GBAX even has pictures and video of the handheld in action and in bulk. OpenPandora's app repository is also open, and apps are trickling in to fill up your SD cards with. The UK site seems to be the only one in English taking orders, and it's by special email request only thanks to limited numbers in stock, but $330 could potentially buy you what is shaping up to be one rock solid handheld gaming and media device. Seriously thinking about picking one up myself. The touchscreen only control situation on my Nexus makes gaming kind of a bust, honestly. __________________ Arcana Rising - An Urban Fantasy Roleplaying Game, powered by Hulks and Horrors. Now on Kickstarter! Bedroom Wall Press - Games that make you feel like a kid again. Hulks and Horrors - A Sci-Fi Roleplaying game of Exploration and Dungeon Adventure Heaven's Shadow - A Roleplaying Game of Faith and Assassination

06-01-2010, 12:38 AM	#2
Hawkzombie The Lord of Shadow Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 17,397 Blog Entries: 3	330 seems a bit pricey to me. I'll wait a bit, but it looks like fun. __________________ I have a blog. Go read it! PSN/Steam ID - JaynesHat/Hawkzombie There is the crazy HZ and the well refined logic and reasoning HZ. Both are pretty entertaining -Purple Santa I love that Hawk exists to make every decision I make, no matter how self-destructive, look wise by comparison. -Ox I just realized that for the longest time I've been getting you and Karak mixed up. -fitbabits

06-01-2010, 12:54 AM	#4
J Arcane Bedroom Wall Press Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16,555 Blog Entries: 1	Hardware wise, it's almost exactly the same hardware as the Motorola Droid. It's the catalog version of the same chipset, downclocked to the same speeds as the Droid, and it looks like you could turn up the clock to full and it'd be faster. Makes me wonder how long until someone puts Android on it. EDIT: Stupid question, of course someone has: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbFSv7lYuGg It's also got a 4000mAh battery, though, almost 4 times the battery life and with no cell antenna to worry about. I dunno, I think it'd be cool as hell. Especially as the software support starts pouring in. It's more than a PSP, obviously, but potentially as powerful, though I wonder how much play time I'd really get out of it. It's getting to the point where I don't do much gaming on my emulators but once in a blue moon because I've played all the games I love so many times. __________________ Arcana Rising - An Urban Fantasy Roleplaying Game, powered by Hulks and Horrors. Now on Kickstarter! Bedroom Wall Press - Games that make you feel like a kid again. Hulks and Horrors - A Sci-Fi Roleplaying game of Exploration and Dungeon Adventure Heaven's Shadow - A Roleplaying Game of Faith and Assassination

06-01-2010, 12:57 AM	#6
Hawkzombie The Lord of Shadow Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 17,397 Blog Entries: 3	I'm def. gonna keep an eye on it. If for nothing else than a neat little 'netbook' without being as big as one (can easily fit in my coat pocket). __________________ I have a blog. Go read it! PSN/Steam ID - JaynesHat/Hawkzombie There is the crazy HZ and the well refined logic and reasoning HZ. Both are pretty entertaining -Purple Santa I love that Hawk exists to make every decision I make, no matter how self-destructive, look wise by comparison. -Ox I just realized that for the longest time I've been getting you and Karak mixed up. -fitbabits

06-01-2010, 01:03 AM	#7
J Arcane Bedroom Wall Press Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16,555 Blog Entries: 1	Here's some video of Quake3 in action: Here's one running Shenmue in a quick and dirty port of a DC emulator: And here's just some general showing off: __________________ Arcana Rising - An Urban Fantasy Roleplaying Game, powered by Hulks and Horrors. Now on Kickstarter! Bedroom Wall Press - Games that make you feel like a kid again. Hulks and Horrors - A Sci-Fi Roleplaying game of Exploration and Dungeon Adventure Heaven's Shadow - A Roleplaying Game of Faith and Assassination

06-05-2010, 05:31 PM	#10
Purple Santa I thee Tuck Everlusting. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mr. Gnome's Garden Posts: 18,923	Throw me in too with the keep an eye on this. I'm interested but not sure i'll have the money to buy one. If I do...good chance i'll buy one. __________________ Gamertag/PSN/Steam ID: Purple Santa/PurpleSanta I should get achievements for watching this~ ADDGirl Rails? The DAY/END threads don't need no stinking rails, they just meander like a drunk looking for a bench to flop down on~ Gorvi Hell, 'derail'? This is like calling the surface of the sun 'warmish'. Somewhat lacking in appropriate magnitude~ Jpublic That's too applied for my tastes. Math makes the most sense to me when it's reality bending abstraction. Or when it's evil~ Frederec

06-05-2010, 06:03 PM	#11
Mike Kelehan Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ellicott City, MD, USA Posts: 4,842	Hopefully Nintendo is taking note of these analog nubs. They said they didn't include an analog nub on the DS because they couldn't figure out a good way to do it, and Sony... well, they didn't really figure out a good way to do it, either.

06-08-2010, 03:55 PM	#12
Hawkzombie The Lord of Shadow Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 17,397 Blog Entries: 3	Notch, creator of Minecraft, has posted a review on his blog It seems kinda damming to me, even with his high score he's given it. However, maybe they'll learn from the mistakes and the 2nd gen will benefit from it. __________________ I have a blog. Go read it! PSN/Steam ID - JaynesHat/Hawkzombie There is the crazy HZ and the well refined logic and reasoning HZ. Both are pretty entertaining -Purple Santa I love that Hawk exists to make every decision I make, no matter how self-destructive, look wise by comparison. -Ox I just realized that for the longest time I've been getting you and Karak mixed up. -fitbabits

06-08-2010, 04:08 PM	#13
Exodus Vampire Robot Dragon Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 5,614	Hmmmm... I'd get this if it could emulate playstation 2 games. Reading into this it can only emulate up to PSX. I kinda thought if it could emulate the dreamcast the ps2 would be easy but I guess not. Symphony of the Night would be awesome though as well as playing crusader no remorse and stuff. Ah well, think I'll just see if the ratchet and clank version of the psp is moddable yet. __________________ Life is not so easy as a toss of a coin, landing on one side or another, our simple illusions. That's why you roll with d20 dice!

06-09-2010, 03:43 AM	#15
Hawkzombie The Lord of Shadow Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 17,397 Blog Entries: 3	It's that damn emotion chip __________________ I have a blog. Go read it! PSN/Steam ID - JaynesHat/Hawkzombie There is the crazy HZ and the well refined logic and reasoning HZ. Both are pretty entertaining -Purple Santa I love that Hawk exists to make every decision I make, no matter how self-destructive, look wise by comparison. -Ox I just realized that for the longest time I've been getting you and Karak mixed up. -fitbabits

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