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-py...

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@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/