Pyra-news July 2015

pyra-news@pyra-handheld.com

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No prototypes for GamesCom, but a Wifi Chip and a Pyra in the dark!
by Michael Mrozek 30 Jul '15

30 Jul '15

No Prototypes for GamesCom -------------------------- I'm really sad to tell you that we won't have fully assembled prototypes ready for the GamesCom. The CPU PCB WAS to complex - the company that promised to be able to produce them within 5 days (for double the price) found out they couldn't. They further increased the price and pushed back the delivery date to July 24th - but apparently, that still wasn't possible... we still didn't get the bare PCBs yet. So they'll be too late for GamesCom and Nikolaus goes on a (well-deserved!) vacation this Saturday until August 14th, so he won't be able to do anything until then. As soon as he gets back, he'll create the prototype PCBs as planned, so we should have them shortly after the GamesCom. Of course, we will NOT pay the full price for those PCBs. We won't pay more than a non-express production would've cost us... but still, it's a bit annoying. WHAT we'll have at the GamesCom is still a fully working devboard and maybe even connected to the original LCD in a case! We'll keep you up-to-date, but you can be sure to fully test the current version of the OS and play around. That's the only bad news for today, so let's continue with the good stuff! The solution for the Wifi Chip ------------------------------ While the chip we originally had planned still has a leadtime of at least 30 weeks, we found a replacement that is available from stock - and it even uses the more recent WiLink8 chipset (and it's well supported in mainline kernel). Nikolaus managed to squeeze the slightly bigger chip onto the mainboard. So the last missing hardware puzzle piece has been added as well. The chip is available in various versions: With and without bluetooth and with or without additional 5GHz channels. Of course, Bluetooth is a no-brainer (it only adds 1 EUR to the price anyways), but the additional 5GHz doubles the cost (from 14 EUR to 28 EUR), so that's something to think about. The different versions are all pin-compatible, so we can use any of them without a redesign. The question is whether 5GHz is worth the additional costs. My experiences with 5GHz weren't too good, to be honest. I didn't really get more speed, but a less reliable network connection. What do you think? Do you use 5GHz Wifi? Finalizing the keyboard layout ------------------------------ Thanks to the poll and your comments, we were able to finish a keyboard layout that should be usable and satisfy most of you. We will still work and tweak on the look of some of the symbols and char, but the functionality should be finished (unless someone finds a huge flaw here). You can take a look at the layout at the thread linked at the bottom of this mail. Some renderings for you ----------------------- In case you missed them on Twitter (or in the various threads here), here are some of the latest renderings I created, using the real case and keymat data! Please keep in mind that the color is not finished, I just used some grey as case color now, but we haven't even thought about the real case color yet. You can see the pictures by visiting the link below. Well, that's it for today. Hope to meet some of you guys next week at the GamesCom in Cologne! :) Want to leave feedback, comment or see the pictures? Visit: http://boards.openpandora.org/topic/18348-no-prototypes-for-gamescom-but-a-…

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Keymat Layout - the Final Poll!
by Michael Mrozek 17 Jul '15

17 Jul '15

The time has come help me choose the bes possible keyboard layout on the boards. Head over here and yast your vote: http://boards.openpandora.org/topic/18315-keymat-layout-the-final-poll/

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We got a plan!
by Michael Mrozek 11 Jul '15

11 Jul '15

We got a plan! Geez, another newspost already? Has something changed? Yes, definitely :) Thanks to a reply in the last newspost, we found a company which can do the bare CPU board within 5 days. Seems they got one special machine which can do that, as that speed is not common. It costs about 1500 EUR more, but we save 5 weeks which can be used for further testing - AND demonstrating the Pyra at the GamesCom! Nikolaus already finished the CPU PCB layout, over 1000 traces have been laid. I received the final case design yesterday, with the last small changes we had, so that should be finished now as well. So... it was time to create the final plan. And here it is: 1. Early prototypes. -------------------- 6 PCBs will be created before GamesCom. These will be used for testing and debugging purposes. Two of them will be shown at the GamesCom, completely assembled in printed cases (except for the keymat, which won't be ready at that time). After the GamesCom, when we also get the keymat, some of them will go to low-level devs to help with the hardware integration. Maybe I'll even sell one or two - but they will be a lot more expensive than the final unit. We will also test whether Pandoras audio circuit (which is still optionally included in these PCBs) will be needed or not. We'll also recheck the lead time of the Wifi Module - or change to a slightly bigger one (which can be done without Pandoras audio circuit) which is available within one month. With those working prototypes, it's also time to start the preordering. 2. Pre-Production run --------------------- When the last issues of the case and PCBs have been fixed and they are confirmed to be working, the moulds for the case will be made and PCBs will be ordered for a pre-production run. The pre-production run will be produced under mass-production conditions - meaning: The same companies producing the final product will produce the hardware. This is to test, setup and tweak the machine and make sure everything is ready for the mass-production (remember the Pandora? That was the video I made shortly before christmas, the one where I looked like a dead Zombie in the end). About 20 units will be produced here. Some will go to more devs to ensure we got a good software library to start, the rest can be bought as pre-production units. 3. Mass-Production ------------------ When the Pre-Production run has succeeded, parts will be ordered for the mass production, based on the amount of preorders we got. Those parts will probably take 2 - 3 months to arrive, and then it's time to mass produce, build... and ship it to you guys! Some more information about pre-ordering: ----------------------------------------- As mentioned, a prepayment needs to be made. Not the full price and we'll try to keep it as low as possible. Quite a few customers have asked how they can use their iControlPad2 voucher they got from Link and their Pandora voucher if they didn't get the Pandora yet: I will discuss that with Link and we'll find a proper solution. No worries, you WILL get the information before preordering starts! Thanks for supporting us - and have a nice weekend :) As usual, if you want to comment on the post follow this link to the boards: http://boards.openpandora.org/topic/18298-we-got-a-plan/

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The 1000-traces puzzle
by Michael Mrozek 07 Jul '15

07 Jul '15

Some things in life are bad... they can really make you mad. Yep, we got those as well - but thankfully not that many and not that bad. Let's start with todays news post and find out how good and bad things are :) The CPU board ------------- As you probably know, basically the full hardware except for the CPU board is finished. If you followed us on Twitter, you already know the progress Nikolaus had. If not, you can find the picture at the blog post (linked further down). Since June 18th, more than 400 traces haven been routed - and now we're down to about 50! Things are getting narrow, so we're switching from an 8-layer PCB to a 10-layer PCB. With that change, the CPU PCB should be finished and going into prototype production about end of this week! So, what's the bad news? Well, we won't have the CPU boards in time for the GamesCom. Producing an 8-layer PCB takes at least 4 weeks - and there's nothing to speed that up (it's the process that takes so long). A 10-layer PCB 5 weeks - and as GamesCom is 2 weeks earlier this year than it normally is, we won't get it in time. However, we still try to assemble a full unit as good as possible, so the display, the case, etc. should all be finished and working fine. But it will be externally connected to the devboard. BUT: Shortly after the GamesCom, we should have fully assembled, fully working prototypes available... then I'll finally be able to spam you all with videos. And preorders could start in September... yep, we're really getting close :) The keymat ---------- We had some last changes for the keymat as well. All keys (not only the action buttons) will now fully be of plastic, no more silicone surroundings anymore. This should further improve the keymat, which will be great! The bad news: That change will take another week, so we also won't make it for the GamesCom, BUT again it should be finished mid September. We need to send submit the printing file for the keymat next week, so we're currently heavily discussing about the keyboard layout (in the keyboard layout section of the boards). The case -------- Well, not much to report here. It's finished, the last print showed that everything fits and is working fine, so we will have printed cases ready at the GamesCom. In case you missed it on twitter, in the blog is a picture of the backside of the Pyra with the latest printed case. The shoulder buttons work REALLY well! You can easily press one, the other one or both comfortably :) Shortly after the GamesCom, work will start on the mold, so real plastic cases should pop up in October / November... and then we can create thousands of cases within a few days :) 3D driver --------- The bad news: As the OMAP5 is in legacy mode for TI, the 3D driver will not be further developed. The good news: We are in luck to be in good contact with some TI employees. Two other SoCs from TI use the same SGX, and the binary blobs should work on the OMAP5 as well. The GFX team will try to test them, so we should get updated drivers (though it will take time until early 2016). Pyra Mobile Internet -------------------- Yay, we got out own internet tarif! The offer is only valid in Germany, but I think it's pretty good (I compared it to others, and they were all more expensive). Speed: Up to 21,6MBit/s (4G/LTE) Network: D2 Contract Period: 24 Months, Renewal possible Included volume: 3GB/month with 21,6MBit/s, after that it will be throttled to 64kbit/s (no additional costs!) It can be used with any mobile internet device in Germany. No simlock or similar. Perfectly suited for the Pyra when it's out (of course), but also perfect for tablets, Mifis, LTE-Router, etc. Normal price is 12 EUR per month - but right now, I got a special deal. If you order it until end of July, you get 3 months for free. And you can also use this voucher: 5GFKT2BM This will lower the price to 10 EUR per month. Together with those 3 months for free, you've got 8,88 EUR per month, for full high-speed mobile internet! You can find more information and order it here: https://www.dragonbox.de/de/328-pyra-mobile-tarif-3gb-traffic-216mbit-lte-p… Other quick information ----------------------- Updated LCD Cables are in production and should be finished until the end of July. 3000 batteries are on the way to us and should arrive middle until end of August. In case you want to help us with donations, you can now donate using our shop and therefore do that via PayPal, Credit Card or Bank Transfer. Go here to do that: https://www.dragonbox.de/de/103-spenden And if you want to support the project with a larger investment (and interest), contact me directly (EvilDragon(a)openpandora.org). While it's not necessarily needed, it will surely help us getting all parts in time. The BEST way to help us though will be sharing all our videos and posts when the final prototype is ready. We need at least 1000 preorders - but the more we get, the easier it will be for us :) That's it for today - feel free to ask any questions here in case you have some :) As usual, if you want to comment on the post and see a few nice pictures, follow this link to the boards: http://boards.openpandora.org/topic/18281-the-1000-traces-puzzle/

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Pyra-news July 2015