Some handy case design facts

By all accounts, the FDM prototype has checked all the boxes and pleased its masters. So it’s full steam ahead to the smoother, shinier CNC prototype, which in terms of case design is the final step before mass production. Let’s hope it’s not camera shy.

The CNC case is being ordered on Monday:

“The CNC is being ordered on monday.” – craigix

Is there an echo in here? Source

It was believed until recently that the battery would only be accessible by removing screws. Screws do many great things, but freeing batteries quickly isn’t one of them. Thankfully, the sliding battery cover we saw in MWeston’s video is the real deal:

“Anyone notice you don’t need a screwdriver to get at the battery anymore? It slides and clicks now so access is simple.” – MWeston

There have been numerous questions about the feel of the keys, as they did look a little awkward in the FDM videos. These clarifications ought to calm any nervous digits. They keypad used in the prototype is a prototype itself, made from a slightly different rubber compound to the production keypad:

“Not FDM issue, but prototype keymat issue. The rubber is pretty stiff on those prototypes, won’t be like that in the final version.” – EvilDragon

Also, the final keys will coated with a hard, shiny “cap” (as depicted here), making them easier to reach and easier to click:

“The coating will add a bit. Maybe 1mm or so. It should be enough that you can feel the buttons, but it won’t protrude a lot.” – Chip

Next question: How far does it open? DaveC can field this one:

“It opens relatively flat but not a complete 180° it is close though more like 170°” – DaveC

All the above quotes are from this thread.

And finally, some details on the stylus, which is a proprietary design in black plastic.

“Dimensions are 100mm long by 5mm diameter.” – Chip

“It’s plastic. Replacements will be available to order.” – Chip

Source

Super Lumenal Beta Gameplay Video

Coming to a Pandora near you!

Photo: Angstrom running on FDM prototype

Some were wondering why MWeston’s latest video showed him launching apps remotely via PC, rather than running the Angstrom distro that Pandora will ship with. It wasn’t due to SD slots not working or incomplete software, as speculated, but because the great continental divide between MWeston (hardware man, Canada) and EvilDragon (software man, Germany) prevented him popping next door for tea, scones, and tech support. Don’t forget that we’ve already seen Angstrom running in all its glory courtesy of ED.

The good news is that MWeston has now sorted out his 1′s and 0′s, and has Angstrom running on the FDM prototype. We don’t have a video yet, but we do have a dashing new photo. Word from MW is that it’s playing nicely with Pandora’s keyboard. Click pic for a bigger version and eat it up. Just save some room for dessert.

Source

More shiny tech demos coming soon.

From Craigix’s Twitter:

The full hardware demo is on the homepage as you know. An even more advanced demo is coming soon

Caster: the game, headed for Pandora?

If the whispers around the water cooler are true, Pandora could be in line for a commercial port of Caster, the frenetically paced 3rd-person gem created by one man coding army Mike Smith. Caster casts the player as (you guessed it) a Caster, sent to cleanse the land of destructive invaders with the aid of a highly visual arsenal. A saga in the making, the first episode has just been released for Windows and Mac (at a very nice price, it must be said). Video after the break.

Pandora gets major tech press coverage

Shortly after the second prototype video was posted, it looks like the community have taken it upon themselves to spread the news far and wide – the video currently enjoys front-page slots on several technology blogs and websites, and is very close to reaching the front page of Digg. So, here’s a round-up, as well as an interesting mistake that one of them made:

Engadget Coverage

OSNews Coverage – Why do they insist it’s the design team that’s posted the video and suggested the release date?

Currently, the team estimates the release date to be somewhere around April 7th, 2009.

Digg Article

Ars Technica Article (the author of that article thought that my estimated release date was what the developer team themselves had said)

Though the current build is still missing its internal components, the team ensures those awaiting the device that the project is coming together and has posted an “unofficial estimated” launch date of April 7.

Gizmodo Article (not really worth the click – it’s a negative, sarcastic article)

Are there any more that people know about?

Get the Pandora Hardware Prototype on the Digg front-page!

If you have a Digg account, you should Digg the Pandora Prototype video in order to help it reach the front page. If it does so, it’ll be seen by many thousands of people.

Let’s do this!

Digg it!

Re-order deadline announced, new orders invited too.

From Craig:

As you will have seen in the last couple of days we are nearing the end of the beginning, the videos are out there with more to come.

So in order to get things moving along to mass production we have to put an end date on reorders and also allow people to take up the empty order places.

Please try to get your REorders in within the next 7 days, don’t worry if they don’t arrive for a little after that – we will be flexible.

New orders, if you want to order a Pandora (or two) from the first batch you can now place a new order via:

Bank Transfer (tranzfers, xoom, via your bank)
Money Order (free from your bank but you will have to post us it)
Cheque/Check

The price of a Pandora is $330 (USD), please email us to arrange (we need to calculate your shipping method).

We are trying very hard to get s US$ account set up – we might have the details this week for this. I hope this will help more people to order. We can talk about this if you email or phone us.

You cannot use a credit card.

New orders will be taken for about another two to three weeks (or of course until we run out of places, whichever happens first). During that time we will be moving forward to production.

(This is an edited version of Craig’s post. Go to the source for contact details and any other updates.)

New video: fully functioning prototype

Here’s the new video from MWeston, showing a fully operational FDM prototype running a variety of tests and applications. Strap yourself in for ten minutes of goodness complete with soothing vocal commentary.

You had me at hellollo, Michael. :’)

All controls working now!

Yes, the drivers for all input devices are in the kernel. Notaz made a test app that bring up an onscreen keyboard and visual representation of all gaming controls and the nubs. I can easily demo that, but it’s a bit boring compared to a game or something.

Source