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Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

mecha.so

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Re: Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

#21

Post by anonzzzies »

Fnoord wrote: post #10
yjftsjthsd-h wrote: post #6

So... what's the OS situation? From a glance at https://github.com/mecha-org/linux -> https://github.com/mecha-org/linux/commits/imx/lf-6.12.20/ it looks like they're starting from a 6mo-old kernel (6.12.20 vs current LTS 6.12.67 and current stable 6.18.7). Is there any reason to expect upstreaming or even just consistent updates, or is this yet another device that will ship with an old-ish kernel and never get updat…

This is why I went with a Hackberry Pi CM5 [1]. I insert the CM5 I want to, and there's that. It comes with a good, proven BB keyboard. No option for GPIO pins or gamepad module, but I don't need such anyway. Instead, what I have in it is a USB hub which fits nicely in the side. Unfortunately, the RPi CM I had lying around were CM4 with eMMC or CM5 w/o WiFi/BT. So I bought a new CM5, with 16 GB RAM. That was end of l…

Yep, I use these too; they are nice and fun to use imho. It's limitations keep me focused.

Re: Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

#22

Post by bsimpson »

solomonb wrote: post #4

Stumbled across this thing a while back and thought it looked really cool but I have never been able to come up with an idea for how I would use it so I haven't pledged. I want to want it but I fear it would just sit on my desk. Does anyone have cool ideas for uses?

Same.

Looks rad, but I have a Legion Go which I can play any game I want and tinker on. This seems like it would be a worse version of that, but also not a useful phone replacement.

Re: Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

#23

Post by bsimpson »

pkphilip wrote: post #19
solomonb wrote: post #4

Stumbled across this thing a while back and thought it looked really cool but I have never been able to come up with an idea for how I would use it so I haven't pledged. I want to want it but I fear it would just sit on my desk. Does anyone have cool ideas for uses?

I kinda wish it could be used like a smart phone with a GSM module.

You can buy attachments in step 2 of the checkout. They mention having cellular as an option on the description:

> LTE or 5G Modems

> Add mobile data and calling support to your Comet. Bring your own modem and antenna or use our standard LTE upgrade kit.

Re: Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

#25

Post by duskwuff »

nik282000 wrote: post #12
theothertimcook wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel personally attacked!... You are right though, ive loved tinkering especially some if the cool linux based handhelds but i always come back to mobile/tablet because my limiting resource is time and android/ios kinda just works.

Took 12hrs, but I got my PocketChip updated to Debian Bookworm recently.

Isn't that still a major release behind? Trixie (Debian 13) came out last August.

Re: Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

#26

Post by Nursie »

matricaria wrote: post #16

This reminds me of Phonebloks from 13 years ago. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonebloks

I remember that!

Reminds me also of Motorola's attempt to have a hardware-expansible phone a few years ago, the Moto Z range and Moto Mods.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/25...

Obviously this is much more open than the proprietary moto-z stuff.

Re: Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

#27

Post by bsimpson »

Website's a bit weird. The app icons highlight when you hover over them, but don't seem to do anything.

They've got a grab-bag of unrelated Linux etc. org icons - Nix, Debian, postmarketOS, Node, Kubernetes… You could argue that someone _could_ run Nix or Node on it, but Debian is just nerdbait. It's not relevant to the product they're selling, unless you're gonna wipe the disk and support it yourself.

Re: Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

#28

Post by pkphilip »

bsimpson wrote: post #23
pkphilip wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I kinda wish it could be used like a smart phone with a GSM module.

You can buy attachments in step 2 of the checkout. They mention having cellular as an option on the description: > LTE or 5G Modems > Add mobile data and calling support to your Comet. Bring your own modem and antenna or use our standard LTE upgrade kit.

That's cool!

Re: Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

#29

Post by RockRobotRock »

bsimpson wrote: post #23
pkphilip wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I kinda wish it could be used like a smart phone with a GSM module.

You can buy attachments in step 2 of the checkout. They mention having cellular as an option on the description: > LTE or 5G Modems > Add mobile data and calling support to your Comet. Bring your own modem and antenna or use our standard LTE upgrade kit.

I notice they haven't developed a dialer app for it yet which seemed a bit weird.

Re: Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer

#30

Post by backscratches »

bsimpson wrote: post #27

Website's a bit weird. The app icons highlight when you hover over them, but don't seem to do anything. They've got a grab-bag of unrelated Linux etc. org icons - Nix, Debian, postmarketOS, Node, Kubernetes… You could argue that someone _could_ run Nix or Node on it, but Debian is just nerdbait. It's not relevant to the product they're selling, unless you're gonna wipe the disk and support it yourself.

The OS for it was entirely based on Debian stable. They recently switched to a fedora build. I think the whole idea is you can put any OS on it you want!
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