German Blog Update

Posted by: Butterman

The GP32x forums are down and we haven’t had any Panda updates in a good while, unrest is brewing. Fortunetly, ED has updated the german blog, while we don’t have a proper translation (if anybody would be kind enough to make one for us, that would be great). We’ve got a quick “free” translation. New translations, thanks polossatik, LastPucho and Lafazar .

“So now I have ask around and I have more info. The TV-out cable is almost finished. The batteries are going into mass production in a short while (running so far with no problems).

The transparent case was sent from the factory to Faith, but it arrived too late (After Faith left for South Korea). That’s why it’s not with Michael (Faith has to mail it on to Michael) . Michael opened an UPS account because the last time they were not able to send him directly the parts because he didn’t have one (UPS account).

He needs some time to work on the TV out cable then work on the small parts – foam for the speakers, microphone, etc. and work together with some coders on the last bits of the drivers (partly pay by us) so in the end phase can completely dedicate to the Pandora. So when the boards are finished, they will be almost production ready and the internals can be tested.

So, it looks like we’ve got another logistics problem and it won’t be resolved until monday. At least, that’s what I’m making out from this poor translation.

We’ve definetly got a logistics problem, that  won’t be solved until monday. It seems MWeston is working on various other components while we wait. Hopefully, he’s been looking for decent components, similar to how he’s handled the TV-out (gold plated, 10ft). Here’s hoping for gold-coated loudspeaker foam!

Thanks for the tip LastPucho.

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My kingdom for a forum

Posted by: gruso

A brief and very belated note on what’s happening with the forums. A donation drive earlier in the week motivated Hando to upgrade the forum software on GP32X, to fix the bugs and avoid a mass exodus (well, a thread about mass exodus anyway). Unfortunately a few hiccups in the upgrade knocked the site out of action, where it has stayed for several days.

There is some life on GP32X today, but it’s not quite functional yet. In the meantime, the famous backup forum is still open for business at openhandhelds.org (formerly forum.openpandora.org).

TV out cable detailed

Posted by: gruso

Did you kick yourself for not adding a TV out cable to your order after seeing the recent demo? Then don some shinpads Shirley, ’cause it might get kicky in here again. MWeston has posted details of the final cable design, and it sounds like they’ve got it nice and right.

The A/V cable has five phono plugs (male):
2 – Line input L and R (unbalanced)
2 – Line output L and R (unbalanced)
1 – Composite output

It also has one S-Video connector (male, 4 pin). The signals are shared on the composite and S-Video outputs so only one at a time can be used and setting the output is done on the Pandora by software (or you will get a black and white picture on composite jack if set to S-Video for example). That gives you a good explanation of the A/V cable. It brings out the audio and video signals, but not the digital I/O’s or the power supply.

…

We don’t want to skimp out and give you the bare minimum so we found a company that will do 10 feet long cables, gold plated male ends so no adapters needed and all the multimedia signals possible on the port so it’s just one nice long run from the Pandora to your stereo. Badda boom, badda bing

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Apparently, parts of the case are in mass production.

Posted by: gruso

Well this is just a tease. Quoth Craig:

Parts of the case are in MP.

But which parts?

.

We’ll… get back to you.

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Homeworld, Pandora bound

Posted by: gruso

A linux hacker working under the name linuxhacker is raising eyebrows on the internet, with his work-in-progress port of legendary realtime strategy game Homeworld. Those who played it in the day know exactly what all the fuss is about; those who don’t should go and have a bash now. You can follow the saga on both the Homesource Forums and GP32X, as long as you’re not scared of a little techspeak. Or a lot.

NSS flashes their GUI at us

Posted by: gruso

Remember No Siesta Studios? If you didn’t click that link just now, they’re the guys bringing their multi-platform game engine to the platform that matters, with the goal of releasing commercial titles. The first of which, according to that link you did or didn’t click, will be a medieval RPG/battle number. NSS man on the ground Prompt has today given us a peek at some of their GUI work, and we think you’ll like it.

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Pro tip: The Youtube vid in our previous NSS post is a little glitchy for some, but looks much better on Vimeo.

Photo: The production battery

Posted by: gruso

Presenting for your pleasure the production Pandora battery; layered wafers of lithium in a ruffled German wrap, and the subtlest hint of rich creamery butter. The reason for the slightly ruffled look isn’t clear just yet, but we’ll be watching this space for answers and dutifully reporting back. Some say it contains chocolate. In any case, it’s a delicious pic and another step down the home straight.

Update: Scenester j.pickens has pointed out that soft wrappings similar to this are used on RC car/plane batteries. This allows the battery to expand and contract ever so slightly, which maximises the capacity. Still no official word on this, but it does make a lot of sense.

Official Blog: Bits and Bytes

Posted by: gruso

EvilDragon has updated the official blog with a mixed bag of minor updates. First up is a video of Heroes of Might & Magic 2 running on Pandora, courtesy of Cpasjuste Pickle (oops). Some words from ED and a wee craft project follow.

Another Quick Twitter Update

Posted by: Butterman

Good news everyone! *spoken in a Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth voice for comic effect*

Well the boards are ordered, all the parts are ordered (most have arrived) all we have to do now is build these

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Twitter Update: Final Boards Ordering This Week

Posted by: PlopperZ

Craig posted this on Twitter:

Final boards are being ordered this week….

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