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

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

#141

Post by danShumway »

I can't think of why I'd practically need or want this. I know on some level it's a toy, and there are better ways to implement all of this stuff if you're trying to make cost-effective hardware projects.

However, wow do I want one. This is so cool, I heckin love this. I love everything about this. The whole thing just looks delightful from the blocks, to the configuration/programming, to how real-time and responsive the feedback is when moving blocks around and hooking stuff up.

Amazing presentation too, this video is really well made.

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

#142

Post by dang »

jpm_sd wrote: post #60

Previously https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26590715

Thanks! Macroexpanded:

Pockit Modular computing demo [video] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26590715 - March 2021 (33 comments)

Project Pockit, a modular ARM computer runnig Linux - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26547377 - March 2021 (15 comments)

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

#144

Post by dhc02 »

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.

The UI of the dashboard alone would be an impressive feat for a single person.

The algorithm that chooses the most likely/useful application for infinite possible combinations of modules would be an impressive feat for a single person.

The multidisciplinary coding required to get all of these pieces to work together in a hot-swap way would be an impressive feat for a single person.

The design and implementation of a single physical connection interface that can adapt or carry all these different protocols (USB, HDMI, etc) would be an impressive feat for a single person.

Not to mention the PCB design, 3D enclosure design, machine learning proficiency, aesthetic product design chops, and on and on.

All together, this is unbelievable. This is 0.01% level stuff. Mozart, Musk, Melville. Somewhere in that neighborhood.

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

#145

Post by morcheeba »

pharke wrote: post #74
kumarvvr wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

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…

Besides the wiping, these connectors are missing two other features: ESD protection and connection-sequencing.

Most user-facing connectors have a metal shield around them connected to frame ground. The idea is that any ESD shock goes safely through this first instead of to a sensitive data line.

Connection-sequencing ensures that the ground and power is connected before data lines are. If you look inside a cable-side USB connector, you'll see that the inner two wires (data) are recessed a little so that the power connectors go first. A device that is connected without power can (through its ESD protection circuit) attempt to draw power from data lines... this can cause damage because most data lines can't supply the current to power the entire device.

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

#149

Post by RTFM_PLEASE »

beckman466 wrote: post #32

this reminded me of Dave Hakkens and his Phonebloks concept video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDAw7vW7H0c

Yeah, the first 10 seconds of the Pockit video immediately sent me back nearly 10 years to Phonebloks.

Some follow up:

Typical, fairly sensationalist piece on Google's Project Ara - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQqudiUdGuo

and then, Phonebloks, 5 years later - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wwrIpv38nE

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

#150

Post by RTFM_PLEASE »

BirAdam wrote: post #106
morelish wrote: post #72

some big company ought to buy him out right now...

I thought the same thing, but then I had a reality check. If this gets bought by a tech company it will likely be ruined or killed off, or first ruined and then killed off.

"Been there, done that." - Google

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wwrIpv38nE

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