Pandora - Obsolete?


The Pandora is a unique device, no one's going to argue that. It's just missing a few features that would make it a great all-in-one device. It's true that this is probably the closest thing...it's just a shame that it's so close, but still misses the mark. Maybe if the development had started today, it would have been the device that I wanted.
 
Find me something with better CPU/GPU, equal or better battery life, Linux, touchscreen/gaming controls/keyboard, is clamshell, has HD tv out, fits in my pocket, AND an awesome community.


Then we'll talk obsolete.

EDIT:1. I forgot to mention USB host functionality. Best thing ever.
2. I'm one of those supposedly foolish people who likes his phone to be a phone, maybe with a few simple games, and not much more.
 
coisbot said:
The Pandora is a unique device, no one's going to argue that. It's just missing a few features that would make it a great all-in-one device. It's true that this is probably the closest thing...it's just a shame that it's so close, but still misses the mark. Maybe if the development had started today, it would have been the device that I wanted.

Yeah.. and then maybe you would have had it in 2012 or 2013.

And by then you'd probably be saying similar things. You just have to accept this, and maybe hold out for Pandora 2 which will probably have a shorter time to market.
 
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coisbot said:
The Pandora is a unique device, no one's going to argue that. It's just missing a few features that would make it a great all-in-one device. It's true that this is probably the closest thing...it's just a shame that it's so close, but still misses the mark. Maybe if the development had started today, it would have been the device that I wanted.
i am sorry but how can the closest thing, which suggests being somewhat at the forefront of what its aiming for, be missing the mark?

its like going back to 1997 and saying "you know what, im not gonna get the playstation, because in 10 years the ps3 is going to come out and this will be obsolete". technology progresses and you just jump on when you can making the most of what you have before the inevitable next device comes out.
 
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It's not obsolete. It's just in familiar company now (N900) and there are more advanced SoCs in shipping devices, and there will be more to come. Pandora is still the only specialised retro gaming handheld. I'll save all my future advanced hopes (digital video out etc.) for a Pandora 2, so lets make this one a success and squeeze the best out of it first.
 
If you had your Pandora when you thought you would (I don't know when you ordered), would you now be saying "man, this thing is lame!"? I doubt it. <_<
 
Now for a detailed answer to the question posed in the topic:

"No."
 
Hm.
This link doesn't describe a device that gives the user root access to a full Linux system with a hardware keyboard.
Pandora isn't obsolete, then. It still has a niche.
 
Obsolete is a very relative term. How is something obsolete that would do everything you need it to do? Not everyone would label something obsolete mainly because of speed. If the Pandora just can't perform some kind of task you need performed, don't buy it!
 
I don't even consider the GP32 obsolete. It still has qualities that are not exactly matched by any other device (boobs!).
 
My desktop is an early P4. My laptop is a PIII. I bought a GameCube and GBA last year. I imagine the games are just as much fun as when they were first released. I still hook up my old consoles and play them. If you need the latest technology, go for it, but it's not something I need.

The Pandora interests me because it is a Linux based gaming console. Everything else is icing on the cake.
 
Line O said:
Obvious Miss-The-Point Troll is obvious (and misses the point). w00!
Just because he's misinformed doesn't make him a troll. I really wish people would stop throwing that word around. It spoils the meaning when used where it doesn't actually apply. :(
 
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WizardStan said:
Line O said:
Obvious Miss-The-Point Troll is obvious (and misses the point). w00!
Just because he's misinformed doesn't make him a troll. I really wish people would stop throwing that word around. It spoils the meaning when used where it doesn't actually apply. :(
I disagree.

Six posts in total - four of them in this thread.
A thread made to say "This is one of the reasons I believe the Pandora is actually becoming pretty obsolete" in a forum full of people who've been waiting up to years for the device - and have put their money where their desire is.
Hasn't ordered one. Doesn't want one.
Complains now about features that were never part of the design (HDMI).

A definition of 'troll' (in this context): "In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community... with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response". Or do you think he's just trying to convince us all how silly we're being out of his altruistic nature?

Being ignorant does not automatically he's a troll, no. But it certainly makes it easier for him to be one when he's deciding how to make his point.
 
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coisbot said:
The Pandora is a unique device, no one's going to argue that. It's just missing a few features that would make it a great all-in-one device. It's true that this is probably the closest thing...it's just a shame that it's so close, but still misses the mark. Maybe if the development had started today, it would have been the device that I wanted.

I think the last bit is the most pertinent part. You're talking about features that you specifically want. From your original post you seem very hung up on 1080p and HDMI-out for example. But you're in the minority, very few people around here care.

And moaning about what the Pandora doesn't do (hardware-wise) is a complete waste of time. Or should I say a complete waste of a thread (see http://www.gp32x.de/board/index.php?/topic/52891-hardware-change-requests-are-driving-me-batty/ - 'hardware change requests are driving me batty' thread)
 
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wermy said:
If you had your Pandora when you thought you would (I don't know when you ordered), would you now be saying "man, this thing is lame!"? I doubt it. <_<

Yep. The Pandora is still a great piece of hardware, but the controls and community really make this device.

But, had the Pandora come out towards the end of 2008 like many were expecting, nobody would be questioning whether the hardware was obsolete. Most of the OMAP devices people are familiar with (Palm Pre, Nokia N900) didn't come out until late last year.

The Pandora is still pretty powerful, and if it overclocks like the N900 (and like how the thread here has led me to believe) we may have a decent bit more than we thought...but you'll probably have to say bye-bye to the 10+ hours of battery life.
 
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if you accept the definition of obsolete as "fallen out of use", then the pandora definitely isn't obsolete, seeing as it has hardly been used before :rolleyes:


but seriously? technology is outdated the second it comes out. it also takes a lot of time to incorporate things like this, months and months to have hdmi and a better chip. and there are more things to a device than the specs, including the design and especially the community (which i think you should read up more on. a console hardly needs huge corporate support to have great games). that aside, it sounds like you're just bawwing over no hdmi, and if i remember correctly (don't quote me), craig mentioned a fee you have to pay to have hdmi in the device, which could easily jack up the price, as openpandora is a very small company.
 
the Pandora does what it is meant to do and does it well so no it is not obsolete.

if you want a device that will use the Tegra 2 and play 1080p with hdmi may i suggest you wait for the Notion Ink Adam tablet as i am
http://www.notionink.in/adamoverview.php
it's not out yet but certainly looks promising. i plan to use it for basic web browsing, e book reading, and possibly to take notes on in class.
 
darkblu said:
not_sure_if_serious.gif

but in case you are serious, NV are yet to introduce a tegra2-series chip that can fit in a handheld. tegra250 is for tablets/netbooks. so far any tegra that has found a way into a handheld has been of the APX series (tegra1).

Quoted for emphasis. Thread already died at the second post ;)
 
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