Official Blog Post - Out Of Nowhere

[fischju2000]

Rescued these from my browser's cache. Updated first post.

Full size picture mirrors:

http://imgur.com/Q8C3h.jpg - Pandora Closed
http://imgur.com/6WH4B.jpg - Pandora D-Pad
http://imgur.com/jRyCK.jpg - Pandora Front
http://imgur.com/DUyXV.jpg - Pandora LED
http://imgur.com/5Sw8b.jpg - Pandora Open
http://imgur.com/6zvEM.jpg - Pandora Battery/Stylus

 

[fearofshorts]

Just thought I'd like to point out to all the doomsayers out there-
These are not final run Pandoras. Several people here (including Gruso) have said that these issues are being fixed with the tweaks.
These things (the shoulder buttons, the poor fitting bits) are about to be fixed with the new version.
So to all you pissed-off-perfectionists, just be glad that MWestern was just as obsessed with perfection.

 

[skyeyemachine]

Um, the fact is, this isn't even the final case anyway, and it's been acknowledged that there are issues with the LED slot, so it will be different in the next sample regardless. I wouldn't worry about it until we see what the changes are and how the Pandora components fit into it; it seems premature in my mind to start griping about it until those changes already in the works have been reviewed. :huh:

 

[WolfSpider]

Looks like ill move a little bit down the pre-order line.

 

[Nintendo]

Thank you ED.

I think I just jizzed in my pants!!! B)

 

[Nintendo]

Apologies if this has already been asked/answered and I've missed it, but where's the hole for a wrist strap, if there is one?

e.g.

 

[Bigun]

I've posted the pics on my server as well for a 3rd mirror. If any other devs get pics, I'd be glad to host them.

http://www.pwnedclips.com/pandorapics/PandoraBatteryStylus.JPG
http://www.pwnedclips.com/pandorapics/PandoraClosed.JPG
http://www.pwnedclips.com/pandorapics/PandoraDPad.JPG
http://www.pwnedclips.com/pandorapics/PandoraFront.JPG
http://www.pwnedclips.com/pandorapics/PandoraLED.JPG
http://www.pwnedclips.com/pandorapics/PandoraOpen.JPG

 

[fischju2000]

Apologies if this has already been asked/answered and I've missed it, but where's the hole for a wrist strap, if there is one?

e.g.

Best picture I could find of the back of MP cases, from Craig's first video.

http://imgur.com/Ag9HK.png

I'm almost certain that the holes directly to the right (on the back and bottom) of the USB are for a strap.

 

[Nintendo]

Apologies if this has already been asked/answered and I've missed it, but where's the hole for a wrist strap, if there is one?

Best picture I could find of the back of MP cases, from Craig's first video.

http://imgur.com/Ag9HK.png

I'm almost certain that the holes directly to the right (on the back and bottom) of the USB are for a strap.

Thanks, mate. It's 99.99% confirmed to have a strap-on hole then. Cheers. B)

 

[skyeyemachine]

Speaking of hardware specs, I had a question as well, regarding the Pandora's internal NAND flash. I was wondering how easy/hard it would be to replace it in the future, perhaps even with a different kind of storage. Is it possible/realistic? I know it's going to last me a long time so long as I don't go write-happy with it, but flash memory does wear out eventually, and I'd be concerned if that internal storage failed and I couldn't update or repair it somehow. Any thoughts?

If this is the wrong place to ask such a question, I can make my own thread elsewhere, no problem.


EDIT: Did the smart thing and ran some forum searches. So if I understand right, the internal NAND is for OS images and pretty much nothing else, and is basically there to prevent bricking, so I shouldn't touch it short of an OS image update every now and again. I should just store all my content/apps/custom distros on the SD cards. Have I got it straight? :huh:

 

[cobaltage]

The pictures are outstanding. Pandora is looking unbelievably good.

 

[coldfish]

I'm guessing some of the more obvious moulding defects shown in these images will be resolved before final production in spite of the "near enough is good enough" attitude of the Pandora Defence League (tm). So everyone can calm down.

I've been on both sides of the argument working as a product designer, not wanting to "fix" tiny defects because of the impact on deadlines but also pushing the moulding company to do better quality inspection so the final retail product looks as close to our renders as possible.

It's always better to get the product as perfect as possible before release, because you can't change it afterwards.

If not, I can see the reviews nit-picking over low build quality, which would be a shame.

 

[skyeyemachine]

I'm guessing some of the more obvious moulding defects shown in these images will be resolved before final production in spite of the "near enough is good enough" attitude of the Pandora Defence League (tm). So everyone can calm down.

I've been on both sides of the argument working as a product designer, not wanting to "fix" tiny defects because of the impact on deadlines but also pushing the moulding company to do better quality inspection so the final retail product looks as close to our renders as possible.

It's always better to get the product as perfect as possible before release, because you can't change it afterwards.

If not, I can see the reviews nit-picking over low build quality, which would be a shame.

I absolutely agree. In the present situation, though, it doesn't seem to make much sense to gripe about minor details on the current photographs when the casing is still literally undergoing a revision process in those very areas as we type.

 

[jonlad1]

Hopefully we will get that illusive green light once Michael gets the new round of cases.

 

[Nintendo]

FUCK THE REVIEWERS! Most people don't want anymore delays.
The more delays, the less interest.

WE WANT IT NOW!!!

 

[droneb]

I'm guessing some of the more obvious moulding defects shown in these images will be resolved before final production in spite of the "near enough is good enough" attitude of the Pandora Defence League (tm). So everyone can calm down.

I've been on both sides of the argument working as a product designer, not wanting to "fix" tiny defects because of the impact on deadlines but also pushing the moulding company to do better quality inspection so the final retail product looks as close to our renders as possible.

It's always better to get the product as perfect as possible before release, because you can't change it afterwards.

If not, I can see the reviews nit-picking over low build quality, which would be a shame.

I absolutely agree. In the present situation, though, it doesn't seem to make much sense to gripe about minor details on the current photographs when the casing is still literally undergoing a revision process in those very areas as we type.

of course everyone wants good Q or they would have released it long ago, also we have to remember these are test parts!.

but theres a line where you can get the best possible with what is available.

because i bet that if everyone paid an overpriced unit like people do for lego's bricks im pretty sure the moulding Co. wouldnt mind to tighten up the
quality variables. they could even produce on longer product cycle, providing near perfect edeges formation, and zero shrinking.

lego doesnt overprice their parts because of the name, and pirate lego blocks arent good because they produce them with lower Q specs (shorter cycle times)

PD:
actually im very happy of the frontside part (the one with the keymat and nubs)
the horrid flaw on MW vid (under 1 and del keys) either looks perfect (chose the best case for ED) or they seem somehow a photoshoped fix. i can also say the top piece(screen logo side) looks pretty good and not shinny at all.

 

[strider_mt2k]

Loving the pics!
Hard to believe I've got one coming to me too!

I haven't been waiting nearly as long as some of my fellow Pandorans but I also am eager to have this little gem in hand.

Good stuff folks!

 

[WizardStan]

of course everyone wants good Q or they would have released it long ago, also we have to remember these are test parts!.

By "long ago" you mean last week? Or did you forget that we've been waiting on the factory to finish the mould for the last several months?

 

[Consequence_9]

Loving the pics!
Hard to believe I've got one coming to me too!

I haven't been waiting nearly as long as some of my fellow Pandorans but I also am eager to have this little gem in hand.

Good stuff folks!

Hey dude, glad u caved! ;D

 

[kagato]

the horrid flaw on MW vid (under 1 and del keys) either looks perfect (chose the best case for ED) or they seem somehow a photoshoped fix.

I'm no authority on the subject, but I strongly suspect the "horrid flaw" in question was just someone using the wrong length screws and driving them straight through the casing without realising...