Pandora's Design

[craigix]

We will be having a logo design competition pretty soon. Something to think about.

 

[rcbo]

I'd like to echo the wish for a better keyboard design, in particular separate Ctrl, Alt, Tab, and Esc keys.
Judging from the dimensions MWeston posted the keys seem to be ~1cm squared.
If they were narrower (shorter) one could add keys on the side (add a 4th row) with minimal changes to the size of the case.
I for one would rather have smaller keys in return for a close to conventional, full featured layout.

Otherwise the design is ok, even though I was hoping for a sliding design or at least a rotating screen. As it is, the touchscreen will probably be awkward to use.

 

[chipan]

Is the worst design I ever seen; and that analogs couldn't be worsty placed.

 

[Goity]

I actually thought this thing was a joke at first when I saw it. The design looks more amateurish than any of the fan made target renders on this site, and it looks like a piece of a challenged kid's artwork.

Ugh, this looks more like a one laptop per child than a games console. I can't believe that a console that should be trying to distance itself from the EEE looks like a cheap chinese ripoff of it.

The truth is that should this ever go to market it will not sell. The design will scare away mainstream, the keyboard isn't functional enough for coders, when you're playing a game the keyboard will stick out and annoy you, and the game controls are in a place that isn't suitable for anyone.

Overall, this thing is an absolute catastrophe. In fact, I'd say you've destroyed any and all hype this thing had by showing this monstrosity of a device. I think the core question is this. Are you trying to make a games/entertainment console for a user market, or a Homer: The console for Homer?

 

[fusion_power]

Okay, here are the current dimensions so we can dispel the rumors that only giants can play this thing:

Footprint - 140x83x27mm

Each analog nub is 46mm in from the side to the center, with the nub being 15mm in diameter.

The dpad and ABXY buttons are both 16.5mm in from the side to the center.

And what, if people have big hands like me? The GP2X was Ok but slightly to small for me. (A old standard X-Box Gamepad is OK for my hands but not the small one, by the way. ^^ )
Consoles should be always tend to be larger instead of smaller. Most of us are Men and no little Kids here.

Oh, and what will be metal and what plastic onto the Device? The Hinge should be stable Metal for example, remember, People will torture the Screen Part with the Stylus. This gives a pressure onto the Top-Case, I hope, the Hinge will be stable enough to survive this.

Oh, and the PANDORA Text could need a better Font, something more Cool. The whole Device needs an individual Font and maybe something like a Crest. (With an Penguin inside maybe...and crossed Swords...:lol The closed Clamm-Shell has to be totaly different from an closed Nintendo DS.

 

[imec]

I'm going to have to agree with leggymcjeggy, jet black shell with yellow ascents would be insanely cool. It would also bring more meaning to the codename "bumblebee." Anyways, I voted meh, it really grows on you, but if you like pixel art and drawing on a touchscreen (unless it goes further back), I can see this being a problem. Also, the keyboard should be split (as mentioned before) so that your thumbs can reach over easily. Will there be any molding for the hands? Just pick up a Logitech PS2 controller to see how well molding can work. Although, trying to get the molding just right would be a huge undertaking in itself. Could you guys give us an idea how far back the screen can actually go? Either way, I am rat-piling my money for this thing. So it doesn't matter, you have my purchase either way.

Also, it looks so much like a ultra-mobile computer that it's just begging the following: "I'm sick of you spending all of your time in front of that porn machine, I'm ashamed to call you my son!" "It's not a porn machine, Ma, it's a Pandora."

 

[zaffercharles]

4 shoulder buttons. Could be implemented similar to the volume button(s) on the GP2X without increasing the size of the actual triggers by much. It's a natural step up as we're getting dual analogues and probably fullspeed PSX emulation.
BUT: for those complaining that you'd be unable (because of grip) to use the right analogue and the action buttons at the same time - you couldn't even do that on a regular PSX controller, so where's the problem?

I've been saying the same thing - xonpoprokhisnamewhas (sorry guy!) said:
"I must say, there is a few flaws in the design for me. I like it but it's not perfect. One big thing is, that I would want to be able to use both analog sticks and the abxy buttons at the same time for some fps action. I am not sure how that problem could be solved though, maybe it is playable like this already. I would have also liked it, if the keyboard was slide out. it would be more convenient to hold, especially with the touchscreen. I do see that the screen will be more protected like this on the other hand. We might not even need a pouch to carry it in."


So 4 shoulders would give enormous benefit to many PSX games, and FPS games in general. I too hoped for a slide out so that things didn't have to be so cramped- but from the dimensions as long as the keyboard has a little resistance then we shouldn't be hitting keys all the time. And the clam top needs to be quality, and 'click' to a couple of different angles and stay there for use. Funny how many of us hated it in the beginning and turned around.. I actually like it now :blush: But again! please put 4 shoulders on this it looks like there's plenty of room for that, 1 thick one each side in a double click up/down fashion seems like a good idea to me.

Ugh, this looks more like a one laptop per child than a games console. I can't believe that a console that should be trying to distance itself from the EEE looks like a cheap chinese ripoff of it.

I think the core question is this. Are you trying to make a games/entertainment console for a user market, or a Homer: The console for Homer?

LOL at the Homer part..
I felt the same originally but look at the size of it in your hands- it's very slightly bigger than this:




I think it will be fine now BUT 4 SHOULDERS!!! lool

 

[Megagun]

First of all, I hadn't read this entire thread, just so you know.
I semi-like the design. There are some things that need refining, but I think I like the overall look of it.
Questions:
-Where is the backspace key? I see a 'delete', but a backspace close to the QWERTY keyboard would be nice.
-Will there be 'PDA-mode' support? With PDA-mode, I essentially mean that the entire unit is covered, except for the screen with touchscreen support. PDA-mode support can be given by supplying a case-like object that covers the 'keyboardarea' of the unit entirely.
-Shoulderbuttons?

 

[javaJake]

-Will there be 'PDA-mode' support? With PDA-mode, I essentially mean that the entire unit is covered, except for the screen with touchscreen support. PDA-mode support can be given by supplying a case-like object that covers the 'keyboardarea' of the unit entirely.

Highly unlikely.

-Shoulderbuttons?

Two.

I think it will be fine now BUT 4 SHOULDERS!!! lool

I think we've gone over this before, and the answer we had was "No".

 

[Megagun]

Yeah, I just found out about the .ca link. Sorry about that.

Still, I think someone should concider allowing a PDA-mode thingy. At least allow the official case to do that, as allowing this would cost nothing at all, whilst still generating a lot of new customers of the type "Buying a PSP and using it for playing music, as well as casually playing a game or browsing the interwebs, oh and I got myself an iPod too". Imagine the official case being waterproof with transparant plastic on one side, which allows you to control your media player easilly, and an additional cover that protects the thing. Imagine a semi-heavy object lieing next to your TV, when suddenly its display lights up as it receives a WIFI signal from your PC, which tells it to play some random media file and display it on the hugescreen TV... That'd be neat.

Also, bundle as many accessories with it as possible. People hate it when they need to buy their own additional accessories. *AT LEAST* Include case, power adapter, AVcables, wriststrap and accu (if going for a custom accu approach). Even though you might get less profit from a single sale this way, you'll certainly get more people to buy your product.

Also: Display brightness controls? Those in software?

Also, I just noticed that the number keys are *awesomely* placed. Excellent for FPSes or other games that allow for multiple weapons!

EDIT: only one USB host? :/

 

[___]

I received my parcel from craigix today with my ordered gp32 blu. In it was also a cardboard flyer of the pandora. I will make a picture for size comparison soon. It's about as small as a DS slim I would say. Incredible... imagine having so much processing power in the palm of your hand. This thing is amazingly tiny... and if you put your hands onto it like you were playing, you can see that the placement of the analog sticks works out well.
I still think that the analog sticks should be a little above the dpad and buttons.

 

[Eolair]

Just another suggestion. It sounds like a lot people are disappointed with how it looks. (I know. Too late for this really but...) ...You could try to make it less square. Unless the corner areas of the unit are critical for the design I would try to round them off some. The unit would look less geeky and be easier to carry in your pocket (think the Zodiac2). I know that sharp corners is the best way to keep it as small as possible. But the smallest design isn't necessarily the best one.

 

[Jaylink]

Ow man, i realy Love how it looks and also the layout is great.
Seems like a solid case, and luckly no sliding parts (less damage) .

 

[finisterre]

I've never quite got round to getting a GP32, GP2X or XGP, but I should be getting this.

I am wary of the front sockets. Generally prefer things at the back or sides.

And black with yellow or orange accents would be good.

Not too fussed what it looks like as long as it works well and is comfortable.

 

[EvilDragon]

I actually thought this thing was a joke at first when I saw it. The design looks more amateurish than any of the fan made target renders on this site, and it looks like a piece of a challenged kid's artwork.

Yeah, well, it's about as amateurish as the NDS Lite is....
Don't know the NDS Lite? No wonder, it never had any success as it was so ugly and unusable..

QUOTE

Overall, this thing is an absolute catastrophe. In fact, I'd say you've destroyed any and all hype this thing had by showing this monstrosity of a device. I think the core question is this. Are you trying to make a games/entertainment console for a user market, or a Homer: The console for Homer?



Monstrosity? You can't compare it by just a rendering. It could be as big as a laptop or as tiny as a GBA Micro.
In fact, it's just a bit bigger than the DS lite, so far away from being monstrous...
Maybe you had some child-monster-nightmares last night

 

[dewc]

My initial reaction was similar to many folks here, and I was a little disappointed at first. However, it is growing on me, especially with the different renders out there. Eolair's color coordinated version made it quite a bit nicer IMO. I do see it being similar to the Asus EEE and I plan on having one of those one day, however as I am typing from a working laptop now, I am thinking perhaps the Pandora first.

 

[___]

posted a new topic with a size comparison of the pandora with gp2x, gp32, nds.

 

[Goity]

Monstrous as in ABC are going to make a TV show about this called "ugly pandora", only without Vanessa Williams.


But oh well, come on Vtech Pandora!

 

[javaJake]

Don't know the NDS Lite? No wonder, it never had any success as it was so ugly and unusable..

You are kidding right? The NDS Lite's sales are still off the charts (or thereabouts).

 

[Rico]

Keyboard needs to be fold out or slide out, it looks like one of those toy computers you buy for three year olds.