what does this do that a smartphone doesn't? If anything, is it too niche?
Really can't see this taking off.
Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
91–100 of 151 posts
Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
#92My pockets are already full, but I'm still interested in adding new features. Video and mains power are my current challenge, and I'd like to know more about whether the Kettlepop module inside the Pocket Popcorn computer has HDMI or VGA support. Right now this is what I carry. Right belt clip (from a scrapyard, looks like it was designed for the Nokia 3650): 1. Third Rail smart battery, integrates well with my iPhon…
More details would be awesome. Maybe a post somewhere (github?) with pictures and ideas of what you can do with all of this stuff?
Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
#93I 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…
The big problem with mainline support for the CHIP is that it uses raw flash directly connected to the SoC - and to make matters worse, on many boards that's MLC flash which is particularly nasty and is very firmly not supported by mainline Linux. This seems to dodge that problem by using eMMC with a built-in controller.
Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
#94Something I'm interested in is a knock-about computer for child with a text editor and a programming language. Robust enough to put in a pocket. A hinge, or larger machine, or something more expensive, would be too risky. A Raspberry Pi is great and cheap but a bit fiddly. Of course the 'computer' experience should be more diverse thant this, but having a dedicated machine feels like the equivalent of having book wit…
I also desire the ideal of education for children, so am perhaps biased, but genuinely I believe it is an underserved market. Look at the cash flowing at Makeblock and similar startups. It's definitely something that could work, if the ecosystem / materials are substantial enough. Consider BASIC era: C64, etc. It's workable. There will always be a need for low level comprehension. ASM is a thought process, not a skill per se. Co-develop an oldies interface as a replacement for Sodoku, with Zachtronics to broaden the market. AFAIK this would really gel with: eg. Jaron Lanier, Alak Kay.
If there’s any object in human experience that’s a precedent for what a computer should be like, it’s a musical instrument: a device where you can explore a huge range of possibilities through an interface that connects your mind and your body, allowing you to be emotionally authentic and expressive. - Jaron Lanier
Inverse vandalism: Making things just because you can. - Alan Kay
Adults think that the best thing you can do for a child is to turn the child out like them. Think about that, that's got to be one of the dumbest ideas ever. - Alan Kay
By far the best way to invent a healthy future is to invent the children who will invent it. - Alan Kay
I made up these slogans because I discovered most adults couldn't deal with paragraphs. - Alan Kay
Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
#95A 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 the GPD Pocket 1 for these purposes; it's fast, it runs Windows, Linux and Android. I run Linux (Ubuntu/i3) on it. It has phenomenal battery life and it's fast enough to do reasonable .NET Core development on in cramped spaces or when my laptop is empty.
I owned the Gemini as well, but, before it got stolen, I was going to sell it because Linux on that device did not really work for me while Android was not productive (for me).
Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
#96A 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.
Those are super, super cool, but try as I might I just can't justify one. But I'm glad they exist.
Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
#97A 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 like the fact that it has an escape key.
Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
#98Can 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?
At first you need to get far enough that you have an sshd running. Down the line you might need to make BIOS changes, fiddle with the storage controller card, or unbork GRUB.
99% of the time remote is fine though, which again is why it's stashed away in a nook at the other end of the house.
Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
#99Looking at the rest of the landscape, I wish them luck.
Yeah. Same sentiment. If I wanted to buy a hackable mobile Linux device, I don't see why I would buy this instead of a PineBook Pro (when it comes out). I would really hate typing on a silicone keyboard.
I agree about the silicone keyboard.
I can understand many mechanical keys types will not be feasible in a small form factor. But there are good mechanical key designs that are small to choose from. For example, the ones on HP calculators (ie HP48GX...) The DM42 (a modern HP42S clone) has nice mechanical keys.
Re: Pocket Popcorn Computer: Linux in Your Pocket
#100Smartphones 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 have found the [iClever keyboard][1] to be a great portable solution while programming on my iPhone (via [Blink SSH][2] app) [1]: https://www.iclever.com/products/BK05-Tri-Folding-Bluetooth-... [2]: http://www.blink.sh/
That's awesome, think I might get that and stash it in my car.
Now all I'd need is to figure out how I wanted access to my env. Eg, being able to ssh into a home machine and then work in emergencies seems valuable. But, that would involve exposing my machine. Hmm