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Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

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Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#81

Post by croon »

Can this or any similar device also be used as an external monitor? I built a new home server the other day, and as I didn't want to lug around a 40" desktop monitor to the small nook at the other end of the house, I ended up using an old 480p projector as a screen, despite having so many laptops, phones, tablets etc lying around with perfectly fine screens (with built in battery power to boot!). Is this not a feature anyone else would like? I've been looking at portable screens, and they're starting to appear (Asus Zenscreen), but I just wish I could jack into the screen of another device temporarily at times.

Cool device, and would be even cooler if I could use just the monitor on it.

Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#82

Post by okennedy »

hp49 wrote: post #45
kingosticks wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was really interested in that and so very nearly backed it but was wary of the software support. Can you elaborate on the Debian issues? Would you still recommend one? (I don't care about telephone features)

It's mostly minor things + settings for screen-lock-on-idle aren't saved - sometimes I want the screen to be always on, but it doesn't work + screen brightness goes to 100% every time you unlock the screen (and to lower it again, you have to increase it first) + and a few other things in that ballpark Maybe they fixed it, but a while ago the whole update process broke because of a bad Open Office package. I'll switch…

> + settings for screen-lock-on-idle aren't saved - sometimes I want the screen to be always on, but it doesn't work

Depends on the window manager/desktop environment you’re using, but there’s dozens of Gnome3 extensions that do exactly this. “Caffeine”, for example.

Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#83

Post by remotecool »

shakna wrote: post #3

I loved my PocketCHIP, right up to when the software stopped getting updates, and the company ghosted everyone with hundreds of waiting orders. I still have it, but getting it working again is a couple weekend's of work. (Which makes me somewhat doubt the simultaneous claims of mainline Debian _and_ based on the same underlying hardware as the CHIP.) I love the form factor that these kinds of computers present. Howev…

I bought a couple of these and installed nes and SNES emulators with a full library of roms for my nephews. They loved it.

Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#84

Post by phkahler »

croon wrote: post #81

Can this or any similar device also be used as an external monitor? I built a new home server the other day, and as I didn't want to lug around a 40" desktop monitor to the small nook at the other end of the house, I ended up using an old 480p projector as a screen, despite having so many laptops, phones, tablets etc lying around with perfectly fine screens (with built in battery power to boot!). Is this not a featur…

Why cant you remote login to the server? From your phone?

Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#85

Post by Wildgoose »

kweks wrote: post #29

A similar device that exists, has a 'real' keyboard, 4G/Wifi/BLE and a metal clamshell case is the https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/gemini-pda-1 I've been running Android on it, but it also runs Debian apparently very well. 400dpi screen, enough to have 2 / 3 consoles open at the same time. It's most definitely saved my bacon a few times.

I have one as well. Highly recommended - coupled with Termux and a VPN connection it has been a lifesaver for me as well.

Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#86

Post by spurgu »

timthorn wrote: post #64
kweks wrote: post #29

A similar device that exists, has a 'real' keyboard, 4G/Wifi/BLE and a metal clamshell case is the https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/gemini-pda-1 I've been running Android on it, but it also runs Debian apparently very well. 400dpi screen, enough to have 2 / 3 consoles open at the same time. It's most definitely saved my bacon a few times.

Their Cosmo follow up is just starting to ship, as well. Even nicer, though more pricey

Yeah, too pricey, otherwise I would've ordered one already. Maybe I'll be able to pick one up used in a year or two.

Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#87

Post by cstross »

vsviridov wrote: post #38
kweks wrote: post #29

A similar device that exists, has a 'real' keyboard, 4G/Wifi/BLE and a metal clamshell case is the https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/gemini-pda-1 I've been running Android on it, but it also runs Debian apparently very well. 400dpi screen, enough to have 2 / 3 consoles open at the same time. It's most definitely saved my bacon a few times.

Very reminiscent of the Psion. Edit: no wonder, Martin Riddiford, who worked on Psion 5 Series worked on Gemini as well.

I have one. It is, indeed, like the Second Coming of the Psion 5 ... only it got released a bit too early: the Gemini feels a bit public beta to me.

I am eagerly awaiting the successor, the Cosmo Communicator (which is locked for shipping via Indiegogo: some are already trickling out). Faster, better, more refined by all accounts. But it's not a $200 toy, even at the early bird kickstarter price: all the smartphone features added overheads.

Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#88

Post by spurgu »

kingosticks wrote: post #53
rasengan0 wrote: post #51

Why not Pyra? https://www.dragonbox.de/en/pyra I've been waiting years but you new to the queue have less wait, preorder now! As for Gemini PDA, err.. battery life, and US keyboard mapping :-(

Is 'US keyboard mapping' a different thing to a US English keyboard layout? The webpage offers the latter.

Yeah it comes with a ton of different keyboard layouts.

Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#89

Post by nabeards »

praptak wrote: post #13

Smartphones solved the portable monitor problem. What humanity needs now is a truly portable keyboard. Something that you can carry as easily as a smartphone and that lets you type as conveniently as on a good laptop keyboard. Are there any promising attempts at this?

I’ve been watching Tap a long time, but haven’t tried it yet. Previous HN discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11933956

Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket

#90

Post by yjftsjthsd-h »

Tepix wrote: post #78
nizmow wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's cool, but it's also several hundred dollars more expensive. I feel like the $200US price point really brings thing like this down to another level. Not exactly 'disposable', but more like a small appliance rather than something you've got to really look after.

I think it's the LoRa version for $300 that is unique. If you want a linux PC in your pocket, you can just install Debian on many Android phones.

I assume you mean via chroot on Android? I would argue that that is still inferior because it's using the Android kernel (which in many cases isn't going to get things like security patches) where this claims to ship with mainline support.
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