I can see this as a general-purpose computing device, but what I really want this for is simulation gaming. I could make a new instrument panel for every rocket I build in Kerbal Space Program. A dedicated selection of dials and toggles for every application I use. A different set of gauges and sliders for every plane in DCS! It'd be great!
Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
191–200 of 238 posts
Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
#192As far as I can tell, this is a single individual that has done all of this work. I am floored at the design and intricacy of this project. Really, truly blown away. I'm sure there are plenty of edge cases to correct for but I haven't gotten so excited by a demo in a long time. I've obviously signed up to learn more.
Hey HN, Solder_Man here. I am the guy behind Pockit. Thrilled to see this modularization effort has the support (and useful criticism) of so many deep thinkers in this thread. First, a clarification: Since people have brought up the topic of "hard to believe one guy handled all aspects", I want to state that while this is my concept and my project (and I've devoted nearly every waking hour since 2020 to it), I'm no j…
I was going to add even the video editing, that swipe edit to remove things from desk was super well done. Amazing all around.
Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
#193Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Because of what's happening with climate, pollution and e-waste, the future is modular. Modular phones, computers, cars and even nuclear reactors. Sounds cool, but the reality is that in order to get the best efficiency, you often want a purpose-built, specialized design. In the case of electric cars, you need your car to be very light and to have a very integrated design in order to maximize energy efficiency. I'm…
> I think it's necessarily going to be more expensive and less flexible compared to alternatives What are the alternatives? Is there something like this I can get my hands on now?
No. The alternative is to buy used! Plenty of computers are available.
Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
#194Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's (at least partly) about trying something new and learning to be happy with whatever level of success you achieve rather than envious of or competitive against those who do the same thing but do it better. At least, that's the way I took it.
In my (blunt) reading, it's an eloquent, abstract way of saying that the author was way into {thing} before it was cool, but then people found out about {thing}, at which point it was no longer hip and new, and so the author was forced to move on (in disgust !). About how it's hard to be a trendsetter, because people who follow are such tryhards ! In other words, it's Hipsterism in fancy prose.
I agree with you, but I detect a certain level of irony in
> managing to pick something that attracts others denotes a certain vulgarity in your choice
Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
#195Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's (at least partly) about trying something new and learning to be happy with whatever level of success you achieve rather than envious of or competitive against those who do the same thing but do it better. At least, that's the way I took it.
In my (blunt) reading, it's an eloquent, abstract way of saying that the author was way into {thing} before it was cool, but then people found out about {thing}, at which point it was no longer hip and new, and so the author was forced to move on (in disgust !). About how it's hard to be a trendsetter, because people who follow are such tryhards ! In other words, it's Hipsterism in fancy prose.
I’ve never been accused of hipsterism and the excerpt really hits home for me. Probably for a lot of contrarian nerds, always doing things the hard way because doubt is a signalless virtue and I dunno, that other road already has people on it.
OTOH your summary was hilarious if a bit cynical, and I already like Brodsky so who knows.
Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
#196What a truly beautiful and elegant design. This is so reminiscent of the hacker ethos in how it captures the potential and love of technology. How can a project this creative not be more famous? I have seen many of these kinds of 'small, powerful computer projects' before and I've never felt inspired by any of them. But this project really captures the imagination with the potential of modularity / expanding capabili…
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Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
#197As far as I can tell, this is a single individual that has done all of this work. I am floored at the design and intricacy of this project. Really, truly blown away. I'm sure there are plenty of edge cases to correct for but I haven't gotten so excited by a demo in a long time. I've obviously signed up to learn more.
I am floored by the design. However, the most complex and costly part is the PCB and circuit design. The PCBs used in the blocks are absolutely awesome. Thanks to 3D printers that are cheap, the casing and other plastic materials are easy to make. All that being said, this has very low chance of becoming a real world product. Real world is messy, dirty, wet and an absolutely shitty place for snap on electronics. What…
Connector reliability and mechanical strength is a big problem here. If the baseplate had screw holes with threaded inserts, so you could screw everything down, it would hold together better. Also, the animation looks cool, but there is no power source, and no external connections.
Google tried this in 2015. It was called Project Ara.[1] A similar click-together system, with the same problems. Plus the problem that there's no good reason to make a phone that way. Google acquired that from Phonebloks and killed it.[2]
It's not a bad idea if you solve the mechanical problems and have the components produced in sufficient quantity to be very cheap. A little bigger, a lot more rugged, with a good wire management solution, and you'd have something useful.
[1] https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/project-ara-everything-we-k...
Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
#198What a truly beautiful and elegant design. This is so reminiscent of the hacker ethos in how it captures the potential and love of technology. How can a project this creative not be more famous? I have seen many of these kinds of 'small, powerful computer projects' before and I've never felt inspired by any of them. But this project really captures the imagination with the potential of modularity / expanding capabili…
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Even self promotion (Show HN) is allow on HN, given that it satisfies the main criteria of the website
Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
#199So cool. Anyone criticizing the real utility of one of these (e.g. calling it a toy) is not thinking long term. Over time a single unit could be repurposed for any number of distinct and serious usecases (home automation being the most natural fit, but many others), and this and its software are important steps toward a more robust and useful devices and less waste. Minitirized, waterproofed, secure and many more mod…
Honestly, it is a toy. A very cool toy, a very sophisticated toy, but a toy nonetheless. There were in the past, and I think still today, electronic sets that let you click together modules with magnets to make circuits. It was a very handsy, easy way to play with electronics. But, in the end, that's what it was -- play and exploration. The beauty of the concept is the easy interchange of the parts and such, and that…
I'm not imaginative enough to come up with actual scenarios, but I think it could plausibly become a "Swiss army knife" of electronics though?
Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]
#200What a truly beautiful and elegant design. This is so reminiscent of the hacker ethos in how it captures the potential and love of technology. How can a project this creative not be more famous? I have seen many of these kinds of 'small, powerful computer projects' before and I've never felt inspired by any of them. But this project really captures the imagination with the potential of modularity / expanding capabili…
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Don't see any problem with that, if true or not. This a pretty amazing project with huge potential.