Pandora (console)
The Pandora ( Project name: OpenPandora ) is a handheld game console, which is based on Linux and free software.
Designed with the help of a public online community device is regarded as the unofficial successor to the GP2X by Game Park.
Overview
The Pandora acts - comparable to a full-fledged PC - as a comprehensive multimedia, gaming and working platform, which also includes the unusual for handheld application developed programs by hand counts (especially homebrew ). The software development is basically every free, whether private or commercial; hence the project name. Her name is a play on the Pandora's box from Greek mythology.
According to the manufacturer, the Pandora is ideal for emulators. This 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 that Pandora has no such mechanisms. To play a desired game, this must be only in the form of an image, such as a ROM.
For software and computer game for which the source code is available, even so-called source ports were created for the Pandora platform also instead of emulation approaches. Notable examples are the PC / DOS Computer Games Jagged Alliance 2 and Homeworld, which migrated with the help of SDL on the Pandora platform.
Another special feature is caused by the Pandora community, with specially developed tools created binary, static Rekompilate of complex software for the Pandora platform. For example, an ARM architecture version of the 1998 computer game StarCraft by static recompilation and additional reverse engineering in 2014 was generated from the original x86 version and made available.
History of development
Starting point for the development of Pandora was carried out in February 2007 gathering of several individuals with the intent to produce a portable, multifunctional device. These people were the Englishman Craig Rothwell, the Turk Fatih Kilic, the German Michael Mrozek and later services being Canadian Michael Weston. First common contact they used in any product intended for users and programmers online forum that allows the GP32 and GP2X, two handheld consoles manufactured in South Korea, had been dedicated as a basis for discussion. In April 2007, the community was informed of the proposed transaction note of what first general skepticism, later met with great enthusiasm. Through numerous forum members supports outgoing, ideas and suggestions that emerged within a few years, Pandora, which should complement there her two unofficial predecessor, where there was a lack of desirable extra features and still claimed as a prototype long before its publication status as the ultimate open source handheld. Rothwell, Kilic and Mrozek felt as official distributors of the GP2X in Europe also by their own desire connected to adapt the product to their customers' claims and accordingly to improve. The management of the project was always left to those three or four, is but the communication and management through four different distributed locations on Earth erschwerlich enough.
In October 2008, pre-orders were received for the first production series. The series reached a figure of about 4,000. The delivery was initially scheduled for the end of November 2008, but was delayed because of the financial crisis in 2007 and slowdowns in production. In May 2010, units were delivered to customers for the first time. In November 2013 but it came again to delays in delivery time due to increased demand.
Hardware
The Pandora is similar in structure to a netbook, but is smaller. In addition to a 4.3 " display with 800 × 480 pixels stereo speakers and a microphone are built. Additionally, external headphones can be connected. The device can with the inserted lithium - polymer battery, even at maximum work output for about ten hours with energy are supplied or alternatively it can be operated by AC adapter.
As input options are a QWERTY keyboard with separate number row, a touch screen with stylus, an eight- way D-pad, two analog sticks, four action buttons and two shoulder buttons available.
Using the adapter cable can be the Pandora to a TV or projector Connect (TV - Out).
For space saving USB 2.0 controllers has been installed on the board. Thanks to a USB 2.0 hub and USB 1.1 devices are such as Mouse and keyboard to run. In addition, the Pandora has a USB OTG port. This supports both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices.
Data exchange and access to the Internet are wireless or Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The different model versions have a memory of 256 MB to 512 MB RAM. The production takes place with the exception of some plastic parts in Germany and the UK, with the placement of the motherboard as well as the final assembly in Germany are carried out.
Software
The Pandora is shipped with the operating system Super Zaxxon (Version 1.60 RC). It is based in fundamentals on the Linux distribution Ångström. Xfce and developed specifically for the Pandora MiniMenu are available as a desktop environment by default.
The Pandora uses libraries such as OpenGL ES or SDL, which are freely available and allow anyone to write programs for the device. Especially inexperienced developers is facilitated "Pandora programming " so that the entry in the.
When storage media are USB mass storage, SD card or built-in NAND flash.
PND system
Initially it was considered to use a packet manager to facilitate handling of the software. Because removing an SD card would lead to inconsistencies in the database, became a separate Software Manager, the PND system developed.
A PND file contains all the program files and a XML file with meta information such as title, author, and content descriptions. In addition, icons and screenshots can be included. After inserting the memory card on stored programs are automatically detected and displayed automatically categorized on the desktop and / or start menu.
Specifications
- Classic Edition CPU: TI OMAP 3530 (ARM Cortex- A8 ), Standard clock: 600 MHz ( can be pulsed up to 850 MHz or higher)
- Memory: 256 MB DDR -333 SDRAM, 166 MHz
- CPU: TI OMAP 3530 (ARM Cortex- A8 ), Standard clock: 600 MHz ( can be pulsed up to 850 MHz or higher)
- Memory: 512 MB DDR -333 SDRAM, 166 MHz
- CPU: TI DM3730 (ARM Cortex- A8 ), Standard clock: 1 GHz ( can be pulsed to 1.2 GHz)
- Memory: 512 MB DDR -333 SDRAM, 200 MHz