OESF Portables Forum
General Forums => New products and alternatives => Topic started by: espi on September 02, 2008, 03:13:49 pm
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Most of you have likely heard of this thing, but I'm really starting to become interested in it.
http://openpandora.org/ (http://openpandora.org/)
Pic:
http://openpandora.org/bigone.jpg (http://openpandora.org/bigone.jpg)
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I'd get one if:
-It had a better (eg, higher-res, sunlight-readable (already done?)) display
-I knew it would run Debian/other standard Linux distro with hardware graphics acceleration and mostly complete other hardware support
Other than those issues (IMO), it looks amazing.
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From what I can tell it can run Ubuntu and it seems it may come with that installed.
The rez is greater than the Z but the screen does NOT ROTATE into tablet mode
It is a touchscreen though.
Quick specs for anyone outside link adverse
* ARM® Cortex™-A8 600Mhz+ CPU running Linux
* 430-MHz TMS320C64x+™ DSP Core
* PowerVR SGX OpenGL 2.0 ES compliant 3D hardware
* 800x480 4.3" 16.7 million colours touchscreen LCD
* Wifi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth & High Speed USB 2.0 Host
* Dual SDHC card slots & SVideo TV output
* Dual Analogue and Digital gaming controls
* 43 button QWERTY and numeric keypad
* Around 10+ Hours battery life
Distributor says it could potentially run Doom 3, for whatever that's worth (probably in wireframe mode) once it's open sourced.
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Somehow I thought it had a 400x240 or 320x240 screen. My qualms are gone, if the above is true
On the Doom 3 front: I thought the engine was already open-sourced?
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Just check out the videos on the blog page.
I think I like it !
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It seems like they've toned down the keyboard a bit. Doesn't look as ugly as their earlier mockups. If only they could make a version with a Z like keyboard and remove the gaming controls then it really will be the Z replacement.
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Damn, I think I might be sold - held off on the gp2x, held off on the eee and all the other netbooks, but this is harder to resist...
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I'm actually sort of hoping to ditch my N810 for one. The N810's hardware is mismade in a good deal of ways that aren't readily visible (sound access, graphics acceleration, wi-fi drivers, power management, etc.), and the Pandora seems much better.
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I'm actually sort of hoping to ditch my N810 for one. The N810's hardware is mismade in a good deal of ways that aren't readily visible (sound access, graphics acceleration, wi-fi drivers, power management, etc.), and the Pandora seems much better.
lol.... you just convinced me not to get a N810 and wait for this
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This Looks Interesting!
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I'm actually sort of hoping to ditch my N810 for one. The N810's hardware is mismade in a good deal of ways that aren't readily visible (sound access, graphics acceleration, wi-fi drivers, power management, etc.), and the Pandora seems much better.
lol.... you just convinced me not to get a N810 and wait for this
While I'm not saying that's a bad idea, just remember that I tend to have a very different opinion on matters such as this than other people (nobody else has complained about the sound or power management, AFAIK, for instance).
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if only it had no joysticks and more keys instead... The fact that it does not "look" serious means I can't use it many places.
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Well also want it, but it takes some while to finish I guess
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Sooo... The pre-order sites are up. Anyone is going to jump in?
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Sooo... The pre-order sites are up. Anyone is going to jump in?
Too poor at the moment, but I'd take the wait-and-see approach even if I had the money. The more practical aspects of a handheld platform like this seem to be secondary to gaming in the minds of the developers and the current community surrounding it.
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they have Ubuntu running on it now.
http://www.hardocp.com/news.html?news=MzUy...HVzaWFzdCwsLDE= (http://www.hardocp.com/news.html?news=MzUyMzQsLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdCwsLDE=)
edit : I have preodered it so ill let you guys know how it goes once i get it in November.
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they have Ubuntu running on it now.
http://www.hardocp.com/news.html?news=MzUy...HVzaWFzdCwsLDE= (http://www.hardocp.com/news.html?news=MzUyMzQsLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdCwsLDE=)
edit : I have preodered it so ill let you guys know how it goes once i get it in November.
My preorder is in too!
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I got one in too!
We're among the .0000005% of the world's population to be getting one!
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I tried to pre-order one, but I couldn't get PayPal option to actually work or be available to use after about the 2nd step or so in checkout process.....
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I got one in too!
We're among the .0000005% of the world's population to be getting one!
I guess that means you can sell me the n810 :-)
Late
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I ordered one as well .
I'm pretty sure it will be capable of more than gaming ...
Chero.
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I ordered one as well .
I'm pretty sure it will be capable of more than gaming ...
Chero.
That's what I'm hoping too, Chero....
FWIW, I got email back from Pandora that I could order through PayPal by just sending them funds through PayPal using their PayPal account address. They just asked that I get through checkout process just before making payment and copying the info on the order summary page and pasting it into the PayPal payment message box...did that and they sent me an email back confirming that I ordered a Pandora....
Just thought this might be helpful info to someone else who might want to order via PayPal....
Anyway, this lil' thing better be good or Capn_Fish is in big trouble.....
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I ordered one as well .
I'm pretty sure it will be capable of more than gaming ...
Chero.
That's what I'm hoping too, Chero....
FWIW, I got email back from Pandora that I could order through PayPal by just sending them funds through PayPal using their PayPal account address. They just asked that I get through checkout process just before making payment and copying the info on the order summary page and pasting it into the PayPal payment message box...did that and they sent me an email back confirming that I ordered a Pandora....
Just thought this might be helpful info to someone else who might want to order via PayPal....
Anyway, this lil' thing better be good or Capn_Fish is in big trouble.....
Does it accept preorder outside of europe? I can only see it supports those areas only.
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It supports worldwide ordering (IIRC that's what their site said).
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Does it accept preorder outside of europe? I can only see it supports those areas only.
Pandora Ordering (http://gbax.com/pandorax.html)
Here's link to ordering, try this one...
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It supports worldwide ordering (IIRC that's what their site said).
I guess it doesn't support. I cannot find China in all the pre-ordering sites.
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Does it accept preorder outside of europe? I can only see it supports those areas only.
Pandora Ordering (http://gbax.com/pandorax.html)
Here's link to ordering, try this one...
Thanks, it helps.
BTW: are we obliged to pay for the tariff for it? Or they can deliver in USA without our interaction in the whole process?
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Anyway, this lil' thing better be good or Capn_Fish is in big trouble.....
It already runs ubuntu and the GP2X can boot and run OZ-OPIE and GPE ...
Debian isn't too far away then ...
Looking at the speed of the ubuntu video, I must say I'm impressed. This really beats the speed of the Z (some will hate me for writing this). Too bad it doesn't have a swivel, but then again, I hardly use a Z in portrait mode...
starting to countdown days before arrival ...
Chero.
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Oh dear, I seem to have preordered it too - going *way* over budget this month D:
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Thanks, it helps.
BTW: are we obliged to pay for the tariff for it? Or they can deliver in USA without our interaction in the whole process?
Well, all I know is that I've never had to pay any customs duties for any items I've ordered from outside USA...
HTH...
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Wow, I've started a real topic and am just getting back to it-
For those who got 'em ordered, updates would be greatly greatly appreciated by all!
I'm in too deep with my TC1100 and C3100 ATM (money and time both short) but won't hesitate to throw down for this thing if it's well received.
I'm still thinking about the Sharp D4 though...I mean an X86 processor in your pocket is the real thing, but it's still too big...
if the OQO Model 3 is a clamshell, well, someone's finally nailed it.
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I'm sure everybody will hear about how the Pandora turned out in late November/early December (I know I'll let everybody know in one form or another).
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if only it had a better keyboard, it makes it seem, well, like a toy (which I guess it is).
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if only it had a better keyboard, it makes it seem, well, like a toy (which I guess it is).
This toy now will get 256Mb RAM and 512Mb NAND !!!
Default distro is going to be Angstrom, ubuntu-downloadable-SD-Image available.
Sounds great for a toy,
Chero.
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I don't care what people call it. It runs Linux, has insane specs (the extra RAM is going to be AWESOME), and is as open-source as they come.
I'm building my Angstrom toolchain as I type this
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I'm ready for Pandora....
Just hope that it doesn't turn out to be Pandora's box....
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Ooops. I need some tissue.
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Guys in case you havent read and you preordered I have some info. The good news is that the device is now getting 512MB of NAND and 256MB of RAM. The bad news is that they are switching banks and many credit cards will be refunded. They are sending a newsletter soon. If it is refunded you will have to reorder the device. They are giving the ram at no cost because of this issue.
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Depending on what the keyboard is like, I might get one. I mainly use my zaurus for typing, so if I were to replace it, the keyboard would need to be good. other than that it looks like a good platform.
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Ok, damn, that extra bump of NAND and RAM is...awesome! Why o why couldn't it have a tablet screen!?! As for arm-based systems, though, I suppose you don't get much more full-featured than this sucker!
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Why o why couldn't it have a tablet screen!?!
According to the FAQ on their homepage, because it's patented.
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It looks like they're looking for developers to write apps and do kernel work to seed with pre-release units still: http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?showtopic=45218 (http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?showtopic=45218)
Getting developers from the Zaurus community to work on it would be great, IMO, as the productivity of the Zaurus could be moved to the Pandora.
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Nobody has received theirs yet?
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More delays...
They're hoping to have some out by the end of the year, but projecting it may be Jan 2009 before people get them.
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they're waiting for Duke Nukem Forever to be released
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they're waiting for Duke Nukem Forever to be released
That could take a while...
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More delays...
They're hoping to have some out by the end of the year, but projecting it may be Jan 2009 before people get them.
My wife and kids don't mind, I might spend some time with them during the Xmas holidays if I don't have my pandora by that time ...
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Hey kids, just received the infamous refund/re-order email regarding Pandora...
If I re-order this will be the 3rd time!
First time PayPal, that got refunded for some reason, so paid again with credit card and now that's being refunded....
While I do understand that it's not really the Pandora people's fault, it does seem excessively complicated....
Anyway, now that I have a chance to either go or no go on this lil' guy, I'm really debating whether or not to re-order.
One reason for my hesitation is that I really don't need or would use the Pandora as a portable gaming machine, just don't have the time for that given my work schedule...
So, my main reason for buying if I do, is as more of a scaled up Zaurus replacement. Specifically, I'd want Pandora to be similar to the last setup I had on the 3200 I just sold. I put Debian/LXDE on it per the forums here and could use Zaurus like a very small linux laptop in terms of apps...
Now, I know that from Pandora forums that I should in principle be able to do the same kind of thing on it, but I realize that given the ARM cpu I'll be very dependent upon a small group of hacksters to put out a workable distro/apps to do this. And given the Pandora dev community on games, I wonder if I'd end up with the setup that I want...
Also, concerned that while the display and keyboard on the Pandora are larger than the 3200, they're not that big and thus wonder how usable it will be for my purposes....
So, anyone here want to take a stab at convincing me that I should re-order?
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Ubuntu's officially supporting the Pandora's architecture (armv7a) from 9.04. Is that enough for you?
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Ubuntu's officially supporting the Pandora's architecture (armv7a) from 9.04. Is that enough for you?
Well, that's a pretty good start, Capn.....
Thanks!
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Ubuntu's officially supporting the Pandora's architecture (armv7a) from 9.04. Is that enough for you?
Well, that's a pretty good start, Capn.....
Thanks!
Zaurus RAMx4 , Zaurus NANDx4.
You should take a look at the speed tests they are doing !!!
The pandora is gonna be really really fast !
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Ubuntu's officially supporting the Pandora's architecture (armv7a) from 9.04. Is that enough for you?
Well, that's a pretty good start, Capn.....
Thanks!
Zaurus RAMx4 , Zaurus NANDx4.
You should take a look at the speed tests they are doing !!!
The pandora is gonna be really really fast !
Another good point....will check that out....
Thanks, Chero!
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This kind of goes with the RAM/NAND thing, but it'll have a MUCH better browsing experience. In a similar vein, watching 800x480 movies fullscreen should work prefectly.
The internal Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will be nice, if only for the reason of not having things sticking out of the device.
More pixels on the screen means you can see more of whatever you're doing.
A full-sized USB port means you don't need a cable to connect your mouse, USB flash drive, or keyboard. Plus, it has a USB OTG port, so you still can use the Z's host cable to connect 2 USB devices at once.
It has all-day battery life (well, working day for most people, at least, even assuming you're using it constantly).
Apparently people have discovered how to do basic pressure sensitivity on the TS, so things like GIMP (which should run very nicely, BTW) will be even cooler.
Lastly (for this post), the people who ARE getting one. myself included, will talk about how awesome it is and make you feel sad that you passed up the chance to get one from the first batch and now have to wait until ~March.
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This kind of goes with the RAM/NAND thing, but it'll have a MUCH better browsing experience. In a similar vein, watching 800x480 movies fullscreen should work prefectly.
The internal Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will be nice, if only for the reason of not having things sticking out of the device.
More pixels on the screen means you can see more of whatever you're doing.
A full-sized USB port means you don't need a cable to connect your mouse, USB flash drive, or keyboard. Plus, it has a USB OTG port, so you still can use the Z's host cable to connect 2 USB devices at once.
It has all-day battery life (well, working day for most people, at least, even assuming you're using it constantly).
Apparently people have discovered how to do basic pressure sensitivity on the TS, so things like GIMP (which should run very nicely, BTW) will be even cooler.
Lastly (for this post), the people who ARE getting one. myself included, will talk about how awesome it is and make you feel sad that you passed up the chance to get one from the first batch and now have to wait until ~March.
OK, I'll cry "uncle" now, Capn.....
Well, just one more question please, before I breakdown and reorder....
You mentioned that Ubuntu will be available, (I've also read over at the Pandora forums about people working on Gentoo...)....while that is good, won't I still be in the same boat as with the Zaurus, that is being dependent upon people to recompile apps so that they run on the ARM CPU??
Thanks.
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You mentioned that Ubuntu will be available, (I've also read over at the Pandora forums about people working on Gentoo...)....while that is good, won't I still be in the same boat as with the Zaurus, that is being dependent upon people to recompile apps so that they run on the ARM CPU??
Thanks.
With Gentoo, you could compile apps directly on the device by just using the package manager, and Ubuntu should have a fair number ARM packages available. Still, the utility of this device to a non-gamer, and non-programmer is highly debatable, pending you need more than web browsing and terminal use.
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You mentioned that Ubuntu will be available, (I've also read over at the Pandora forums about people working on Gentoo...)....while that is good, won't I still be in the same boat as with the Zaurus, that is being dependent upon people to recompile apps so that they run on the ARM CPU??
Thanks.
With Gentoo, you could compile apps directly on the device by just using the package manager, and Ubuntu should have a fair number ARM packages available. Still, the utility of this device to a non-gamer, and non-programmer is highly debatable, pending you need more than web browsing and terminal use.
Thanks for the input, Tom61.... think you're point about the utility of this device to a non-gamer, like myself is very pertinent....
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You mentioned that Ubuntu will be available, (I've also read over at the Pandora forums about people working on Gentoo...)....while that is good, won't I still be in the same boat as with the Zaurus, that is being dependent upon people to recompile apps so that they run on the ARM CPU??
Not at all. Ubuntu is OFFICIALLY porting Ubuntu to the Pandora's architecture (armv7a), meaning it will be like Debian on the Z (except faster due to increased CPU speed and the correct optimizations for the CPU): Just about everything that's open-source and in Ubuntu will be available for the Pandora.
I've got mixed feelings/impressions on Gentoo. While I love the distro (hence me using it on my main box), it seems odd to port it to the Pandora, only to add in a packaging system. Seems like it would be better to just port Debian with the optimizations or something to me, but I'm not going to complain having about more (as in quantity) optimized distros available.
EDIT:
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS9527593286.html (http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS9527593286.html)
EDIT II:
Ubuntu for ARM is expected to arrive in products in April, 2009, says ARM.
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Not at all. Ubuntu is OFFICIALLY porting Ubuntu to the Pandora's architecture (armv7a), meaning it will be like Debian on the Z (except faster due to increased CPU speed and the correct optimizations for the CPU): Just about everything that's open-source and in Ubuntu will be available for the Pandora.
unfortunately, just because ubuntu or debian etc support a given cpu architecture doesn't mean that it'll run on any given platform using that architecture...
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Not at all. Ubuntu is OFFICIALLY porting Ubuntu to the Pandora's architecture (armv7a), meaning it will be like Debian on the Z (except faster due to increased CPU speed and the correct optimizations for the CPU): Just about everything that's open-source and in Ubuntu will be available for the Pandora.
unfortunately, just because ubuntu or debian etc support a given cpu architecture doesn't mean that it'll run on any given platform using that architecture...
They already have Ubuntu running:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOPNurKei0I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOPNurKei0I)
so I doubt that will be an issue.
@ArchiMark: One more thing to twist your arm: If you decide you don't want your Pandora after you get it, there are a good deal of people who are looking to buy off of those who preordered.
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I've got mixed feelings/impressions on Gentoo. While I love the distro (hence me using it on my main box), it seems odd to port it to the Pandora, only to add in a packaging system. Seems like it would be better to just port Debian with the optimizations or something to me, but I'm not going to complain having about more (as in quantity) optimized distros available.
Reasons are two fold:
1) Hard-core Gentoo users are almost as fanatical as hard-core BSD users on wanting to port their operating system choice on every platform imaginable.
2) Portage allows you to port and do some optimizations with almost no effort of the end user, just emerge the needed package (pending it's flagged as Arm compatible).
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I've got mixed feelings/impressions on Gentoo. While I love the distro (hence me using it on my main box), it seems odd to port it to the Pandora, only to add in a packaging system. Seems like it would be better to just port Debian with the optimizations or something to me, but I'm not going to complain having about more (as in quantity) optimized distros available.
2) Portage allows you to port and do some optimizations with almost no effort of the end user, just emerge the needed package (pending it's flagged as Arm compatible).
But the extra binary layer they're adding in kind of defeats this purpose (why not just make them into IPKs|RPMs|DEBs?)...
Still, I'm happy to have more choices, and the only real downside I see is the wear you'd get on SD cards when building natively (if you do that at all).
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new blog post on openpandora.org including a nice video of Angstrom running on the pandora.
That beast is gonna be really fast !
Just seeing how long it takes to launch gnumeric (take a look at the video) would convince me to order one immediately ...
But, then again, I already ordered.
Have fun,
Chero.
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Still no news? Anyone got theirs yet?
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Still no news? Anyone got theirs yet?
The news are that there is no news... 1st batch is gonna take some more time. In the best scenario it could take a pair of months from now...
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Still no news? Anyone got theirs yet?
The news are that there is no news... 1st batch is gonna take some more time. In the best scenario it could take a pair of months from now...
Guess I made the right decision (at least for me...) to bail on the re-order.....
Although my mobile device garage is pretty empty right now....only pocketable device I have now is my N810...
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Still no news? Anyone got theirs yet?
They have started producing the first batch. This will be my next portable when my c1000 needs replacing.
http://www.open-pandora.org/index.php?opti...mid=2〈=en (http://www.open-pandora.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=2〈=en)
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I've got mine !
Check this for a start : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlxmJkGav4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlxmJkGav4)
There are already quite a lot of unboxing vids on youtube.
And some reviews can be found in the pandora section of www.gp32x.com/board
Nice and very fast device !
Have fun,
Chero
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From UMPC portal:
The Amazing Open Pandora Story Continues (http://www.umpcportal.com/2012/01/the-amazing-open-pandora-story-continues/#comments)
[img]http://www.umpcportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/phoca_thumb_l_PandoraFront1.jpg\" border=\"0\" class=\"linked-image\" /]