Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video] • Hacker News Board

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#121

Post by rpmisms » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:16 PM UTC

goodpoint wrote: post #28

th0ma5 wrote: post #4

The hardware is very cool. The start of the integration with the dashboard is neat, but I'm not entirely sure how useful it would be other than making a video like this. Perhaps something like OSC or something could help keep it modular from a software standpoint and not so toy seeming. I also think a lot of software has whole knows what layers expecting hardware to not just suddenly disappear. Appear is maybe less a…

The magnetic connectors is what makes it an expensive toy. The pluggable grid layout is nice but it could be achieved with a daughter board with pins sitting on top of any cheap SBC.

It would be trivial to modify the design to allow some form of locking blocks in place, whether through a sliding tile system, a lever lock, or a pin design. You could even do it yourself with 3d printing. Really depends if there's a professional environment that could use something like this. Maybe a lab or machine shop?

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#122

Post by stonogo » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:18 PM UTC

roughly wrote: post #116

rileyphone wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I came across this yesterday: > Merveilles seems aligned with the ideals of Solarpunk while internally expecting the world of Cyberpunk, it is neither a utopian or dystopian vision, but a way of straddling both contingencies. https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/merveilles.html

Oh man, thank you for that - so good in so many ways. I’ll definitely be following up on this later, I like what they’re doing. Two things stick out for critique to me - > Merveilles seems aligned with the ideals of Solarpunk while internally expecting the world of Cyberpunk, it is neither a utopian or dystopian vision, but a way of straddling both contingencies. I get this, and in a way, I think it’s how I’m operati…

It's an art movement -- don't give the colors space in the room, they've already got plenty everywhere else.

(this was intended as a gentle ribbing, not actual criticism. I found the contrast between exclusion and inclusion interesting :)

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#123

Post by papandada » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:21 PM UTC

scoot wrote: post #95

papandada wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not very well read but this writing seemed extraordinary. Turns out he won a Nobel prize for literature.

Meanwhile I have no idea what he's talking about. Perhaps it's lack of context, or perhaps the writing is so "extraordinary" that it is unapproachable to mere mortals.

There's plenty of "good writers" and "decorated poets" who do absolutely nothing for me. I clicked with this, the world is big enough for everyone and something more to your tastes is out there.

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#124

Post by moffkalast » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:25 PM UTC

u2077 wrote: post #51

Truly impressive. Reminds me of Google’s (failed) attempt at modular devices. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Ara

Was about to say, yep.

"Oh, look! Here's Ara. Back from the dead. It's a miracle."

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#125

Post by roughly » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:27 PM UTC

stonogo wrote: post #122

roughly wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh man, thank you for that - so good in so many ways. I’ll definitely be following up on this later, I like what they’re doing. Two things stick out for critique to me - > Merveilles seems aligned with the ideals of Solarpunk while internally expecting the world of Cyberpunk, it is neither a utopian or dystopian vision, but a way of straddling both contingencies. I get this, and in a way, I think it’s how I’m operati…

It's an art movement -- don't give the colors space in the room, they've already got plenty everywhere else. (this was intended as a gentle ribbing, not actual criticism. I found the contrast between exclusion and inclusion interesting :)

Hah! Touché.

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#126

Post by tomcam » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:33 PM UTC

tacticaldev wrote: post #43

Ok, wow! This is, by far, the most innovative "product" I've seen in years! I will definitely be keeping a very close eye on this project! I sincerely hope it does well enough to get to production levels large enough to be "affordable". I would totally buy this for my Daughter's as a way to get them interested in building/coding.

Is there a page that lets you buy things? I couldn’t find one on mobile

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#127

Post by pharke » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:34 PM UTC

coryrc wrote: post #109

pharke wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't see why the contacts on the demonstrated devices would be any more vulnerable to the real world than the port on an iPhone. I'm not sure these devices would be mass market since some skill is required to understand and use the software but they would absolutely have a good run at serving the same size market as 3D printers. They could even work hand in hand with 3D printers by providing the 'brains' for proto…

Connectors are usually built so there is a small amount of "wiping" as they seat, which will scrape off oxides or dirt. They will also have just the right amount pressure to balance longevity versus contact resistance. The pockit connectors may not balance these factors well (depends on what's making contact from the modules - I couldn't find the details readily). Regardless they won't have wiping, which isn't mandat…

If wiping is the main problem you could just wipe them with a cloth or some other device. They are exposed and highly visible after all.

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#128

Post by syassami » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:34 PM UTC

Wow.

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#129

Post by jsnodlin » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:41 PM UTC

lanewinfield wrote: post #8

As 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.

Anil Reddy is an absolute genius.

Re: Pockit: A tiny, powerful, modular computer [video]

#130

Post by idiotsecant » Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:45 PM UTC

This reminds me a little of the philosophy of the "frame.work" laptop. While it approaches the problem from the 'let's make a modular,repairable laptop' side and this approaches it from the 'let's make a powerful and easily extendable embedded device' side. immensely ambitious and cool projects, both!