this post was submitted on 24 Nov 2024
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Cassette Futurism

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Kickstarter for an open source raspberry pi portable computer (files.catbox.moe)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by ApollosArrow to c/[email protected]
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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/soulscircuit/pilet-opensource-modular-portable-mini-computer?

Something I would definitely not have a need for, but it looks pretty cool. They various types of configurations.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Everybody is like "Ooooh it runs blender". It's kickstarter my dudes, these are promo renders. There is basically no information on the linked page other than "launching soon" (as in the kickstarter campaign is launching soon). So they probably haven't yet gotten anything to run on this (so we know nothing about the UI /OS if they modified anythinf / plan to do so, or basically anything at all...)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

I mean. The RPI runs a fork of debian, and can definitely launch blender. It can't run it well and good luck using blender without a mouse, but i have 0 doubts that this thing can open a blender window.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 days ago (1 children)

https://soulscircuit.com/pilet

Their own website has a bit more info, including a demo video of it running debian. The primary focus of the project is the hardware itself, but the rasberry pi base means that there is a giant pool of available software already out there.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Ok that looks kind of dope. I was curious about the battery life. Now I'm curious about its future price.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

They estimated the production cost at 250 USD, so I imagine the kickstarter price will be starting around 300. But that's just a guess.

[–] ApollosArrow 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

They have an instagram account for conversations. This version only lasts 7hrs. I don’t think they are trying to revolutionize the world with this. You can see some of their other versions running. And since it’s open source I assume you can do whatever you want to it.

https://www.instagram.com/soulscircuit?igsh=NGgxc3NhcXFpZGRt

[–] [email protected] 26 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Looks like the DevTerm, uConsole line from clockwork pi. Love to see more retro-future designs like this!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago

Yep, I have a uConsole. I've used it for playing text adventure games on flights. It has a Pi CM4 and a couple large Li-ion batteries, but it only lasts about 4 hours or so before it needs to be charged. A little silly.

[–] Diplomjodler3 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

This is what computers were supposed to look like when i was young.

[–] Prethoryn 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Honestly, I don't know how old you are but I am 29 and as someone who loves modern tech I have fallen in love with old retro tech colors and designs as well.

I recently have been modifying old gaming hardware like my GameCube and buying things like Gamboys and Nintendo DS:s and even modern takes on old hardware like the Analogue Pocket.

I absolutely love the way these look in this image.

[–] Diplomjodler3 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm old enough that computers in private homes were science fiction when I was young.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

They still are today! You just have to pick up an old book

[–] lukstru 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Seems similar to https://www.clockworkpi.com/

[–] ApollosArrow 2 points 19 hours ago

This does look very similar. For some reason this is giving me more of a black berry esthetic vibe.

[–] SpaceNoodle 13 points 2 days ago

Last time I saw a similar project, it needed about 10 oz. of batteries for a similar runtime. The Raspberry Pi is a power hog.

[–] rob_t_firefly 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Raspberry Pi isn't an open-source device, unless they're somehow doing without the closed firmware and Broadcom chip.

[–] ApollosArrow 5 points 2 days ago

Then I stand corrected. Just following what the kickstarter says.

[–] Zeon 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

The term "open-source" is ambiguous, and it wouldn't be entirely incorrect to say that this device is open-source since there is code within it that is indeed open. However, it is more appropriate to use the term libre software when discussing user freedom.

In this context, I would prefer to use the term non-free instead of open-source, since this device does in fact contain closed-source firmware.

[–] Coreidan 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Looks painful to use. Thank god laptops were invented.

[–] ApollosArrow 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Another hesitation of my finding this useful. I assume you’ll be able to pair it with a mouse, but it would also potentially defeat the whole esthetic.

[–] Coreidan 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Ok but there is a reason this aesthetic doesn’t exist anymore.

This design is uncomfortable to use at best.

It also looks bad to most people. But the worst part about it is the discomfort from using such a design. It’s why separate keyboard and mice have been invented.

Something like this might be good for answering an email or two or sending a text message. But typing with your thumbs is slow and error prone. It’s bad design for a computer.

[–] ApollosArrow 2 points 2 days ago

A good majority of things posted here will probably be or look obsolete. I don’t think anyone will disagree with you. This is mostly for fun and also why it’s a niche. I myself have a few mechanical keyboards I used in this esthetic. Would a flat keyboard that uses membrane be better? Probably, it would at least drive my wife a little less mad.

[–] fury 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I hope they include a magnifying glass so I can read it. Where are all the mobile-first touch friendly UIs on devices like these? I know of only one that tried to do it right, the CutiePi. Everyone else just ships plain old desktop Linux and it's not a great experience on a small screen.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Oh, you actually want to use it?

I thought stuff like this was only meant for YouTubers to put in their backgrounds while they talk about 3D printers.

[–] ApollosArrow 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Display art was also my assumption, clocks, plays lists, posters, etc. Most people I know would get one of their other versions so they can turn it into a retro game machine that has the direction pad.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

The emulation community isn't concerned in the least with the Raspberrypi anymore, practically. Cheap eBay AMD and Intel SBC, demand for Switch and PS3 emulation saw to that, and Anbernic and Retroid.

DIY is fun, but it kills it for me when there's a $200 product of equivalent specs to what you're spending night after night in Fusion360 building for the same price and a lot less time.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

I’d have no use for this but it looks super neat

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Would be awesome for a HomeAssistant kiosk

[–] ApollosArrow 4 points 2 days ago

That’s not a bad idea actually. I’m trying to think of excused to get one.

[–] dovahking 9 points 2 days ago

Looks like something you'd see in a retro post apocalyptic setting.

[–] pyre 6 points 2 days ago

I love that it's running blender lol

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

I love this, I would instantly back it asap

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Can you add this image: https://files.catbox.moe/ynf4kt.jpeg in post.

[–] ApollosArrow 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Updated!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

Thanks

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (2 children)

They would need to create some software for it as well. Otherwise it's just a small hard to use computer. If the UI is actually adapted to be usable in this form factor, it would be an amazing product.

I would love to have a new form factor to shake things up. Something small and portable, but without being just a touch screen, devolving into basically a tablet or phone. Something that uses actual physical buttons to do stuff.

Excited to see what they want to do. If it's just plans to put off the shelf components into a 3D printer case I would be disappointed. There's plenty of designs for that already and people make their own all the time. But if they take it to the next level, yeah that's worth funding for sure.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

https://soulscircuit.com/pilet

there are going to be accessories like a keyboard, etc., so it should quite adapable in that regard.

[–] jrs100000 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It looks like they have Blender running on it already.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

ecactly. blender is not suited for this form factor. It's pretty much useless

[–] ApollosArrow 1 points 2 days ago

As someone who uses 3D programs. I agree. I think it was mostly fun to see what can run, since Blender is an open source program that can run on ios, windows and linux.

[–] werefreeatlast 4 points 2 days ago

The one on the left looks pretty cool.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

Looks cute, but the trackball is a pain to use (as it is in the DevTerm).