Eurogamer Pandora Write-Up & Review

[Gerix]

Anyone notice DaveC and MWeston were merged into one person?

Is that how MWeston became American? For some reason, I always thought he was Canadian.

 

[quartercast]

Overall a great read. A really informative article, I think it does the pandora justice and weaves the whole background saga in quite neatly.


Nice one eurogamer!

 

[craigix]

Anyone notice DaveC and MWeston were merged into one person?

Is that how MWeston became American? For some reason, I always thought he was Canadian.

He is. I was never asked about that, I assume they heard his accent and thought he is American.

 

[Esn]

Anyone notice DaveC and MWeston were merged into one person?

DaveC isn't mentioned by name, but this passage seems to make it clear that they're different people:

Luckily, Michael Weston in the US showed us some of the handhelds he had personally created, and he became the designer of the Pandora. The case designer also came from the community; he created some mods for the GP2X which drastically improved the system's gaming controls.

I do agree that the passage saying MWeston is from the US should be corrected.


Otherwise, pretty good article. They could have gone more in depth, of course, but it's much better than most.

 

[moxie]

No volcano!!!


Just kidding - A good one, this.

 

[Fatman2001]

Loved reading that, great article for promoting the Pandora! Excellent pictures in the article for showing off what it can do too!

 

[Jumpman]

WOW, hands down the best article I have ever read in regards to the Pandora.


Damn, I almost forgot how much shit we have all gone thru to get to this point, and it still seems to be an uphill battle. LOL


I've said this in the past, but I'll say it again..........If all of this comes to an end tomorrow, I have no regrets and nothing but the utmost respect for the team and everyone here who has stayed the course and helped to further a "True Open Source" community.


The waits, the breaks, the returns, the great emu's, the superior controls, the community love/fights, the memebers who have come and gone, have all made this the most crazy and wild ride EVER. I hope and pray the ICP2 can meet it's funding, and that we can see a Pandora 2 at some point down the line, but more important than all that, is the fact that so many of us still can see the value in what has been offered and what is still yet to come.


A Very Heartfelt Thank You To You All!


Chris

 

[EvilDragon]

There is no end

 

[Mr_Loon]

Great article, fair, balanced, well written & well researched. Well done Eurogamer & Craig & ED.


More please of the same please


If asked by a journalist about the relatively high price of the Pandora it is of correct to mention the small nature of the team / production run / covering past losses but don't forget to also mention that the Pandora is currently the cheapest available hand held mini computer with built in keyboard & gaming controls.


For me the best quote was :

The interface is extensive for a machine of such diminutive dimensions; not only do you get a gloriously comfortable 'rolling' d-pad - which puts to shame pretty much every other digital controller we've touched since the days of the Sega Saturn - but also dual analogue sliders and a 43-button QWERTY keyboard. Four fascia buttons and two shoulder triggers - along with three 'function' buttons located in-between the sliders - complete the arrangement. Rothwell and his team expended a considerable amount of time getting this element of the system absolutely spot-on, and it has paid off handsomely.

 

[Jumpman]

There is no end

That's what I like to hear Ed, as I'm sure these projects will be the death of you, Craig and the rest of the team, but it's good to see you guys are willing to fight to the DEATH :lol:


Chris

 

[elwing]

nice review...


but while I completly understanding it from a PR point of view I still feel like the bastard child everyone tryes to hide... "To date, around 6000 have been sold" yet not a single words of the undreds of people still waiting...

 

[Binky]

There is no end

I think the most important thing in the (very) long term is; do not make the transition from geek gadget to fashion item (like apple)


Any pandora successor, any icontrolpad, or any other product should always stay true to the original ideas.


Here's To Us! Who's Like Us? Damn Few, and They're All Vapourware!

 

[Exophase]

The author has been writing articles on open handhelds for years, and has been pretty active in the community, so he's more familiar with the material than most. And always does a pretty good job, IMO anyway.


This had to be my favorite comment:


"Pre-ordered mine in 2006, and cancelled the order in late 2008 when they had the whole massive bank fiasco. Still a shame, because I'd love one. "


Maybe it's normal for someone's memory of the relatively recent past to be off by two years, I don't know.. I'd personally be pretty disturbed if I mistook something I did in 2008 for something I did in 2006..

 

[NearTao]

Nice write up!


Gratz