Handheld Gaming / Media-player Gadget Runs Linux 238
An anonymous reader writes "LinuxDevices has profiled a new portable game- and media-player based on embedded Linux. The GPX2-F100 features dual ARM9 processors, USB 2.0, a 3.5-inch color LCD, and support for both native and emulated games. A Linux SDK (software development kit) will be available when the device ships. Hmmm... I wonder how hard it'll be to get GPE and OPIE running on it?"
The real strength of OLinux: embedded systems. (Score:5, Insightful)
I believe that Linux will make more significant inroads into the user community via embedded devices than it ever could as a more general-purpose operating system.
As a parallel, take the electric motor. When the electric motor first became commercially available, it was sold in catalogs as a general-purpose unit, along with various belts and pulleys to adapt it for specific tasks. Nowadays, electric motors come in all shapes and sizes, each customized for their specific tasks. Many household appliances contain electric motors that we don't think twice about. When's the last time you performed maintennce on the electric motor in your toothbrush?
I believe computers are moving along the same route, progressing from general-purpose systems to smaller, more ubiquitous installations. I also believe Linux is suited for such a move in a way that the other OSes are not.
With any luck... (Score:2, Insightful)
It's all about Linux on slashdot? (Score:2, Insightful)
he had also submitted the arrival of this handheld a week ago, but now it only got posted here cause it was on that linuxdevices? he probably didn't mention linux so it doesn't get posted?
this is the successor of the gp32, the machine that relies on things made by the community, open for any developper since it started and most progs are completely open source (emus for a lot of systems , up to snes and sega genesis, which are about as much as the gp32 can handle, so not perfect, most others are) and has beaten the psp by a few years in playing divx, mp3, ogg,
and only cause it's linked to linux it gets posted here, this really doesn't seem right....
Kudos to them (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:The real strength of OLinux: embedded systems. (Score:3, Insightful)
Yep.
Or, more to the point, Linux will shine in areas where it can shed the various Windows-replacements that slow it down. Linux works great on servers because the average user doesn't ever even notice the OS that hands them their website.
Similiarly, Linux has chances for great growth in areas where people don't mind sudden and dramatic UI changes--such as when buying a new dedicated video machine, new cell phone, or (to a much lesser extent) a new PDA.
Price (Score:3, Insightful)
Dear editors (Score:5, Insightful)
It's becoming popular to link to a seperate site that the user has to click through in order to get to the site the post mentions. For example this post here doesn't even mention who or what makes the device, only that linux devices is running a profile on it. In order to get any information about the device, the user must go to linux devices and use a link they provide. This could have been avoided by hotlinking GPX with the manufacturer's page.
While this is relatively minor compared to Friday's post (http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/07/2
Thanks a lot,
-a slashdot user
Re:The real strength of OLinux: embedded systems. (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Open Development Platforms on Consoles (Score:1, Insightful)
Did ADVENT come from a big corp?
Did Rogue come from a big corp?
Did MUDs come from big corps?
Did Tetris come from a big corp?
Did Doom come from a big corp?
Did Counter Strike come from a big corp?
Does Liquidwars come from a big corp?
Does Darwinia come from a big corp?
Do noiz2sa & Co. come from a big corp?
Does modern interactive fiction come from big corps?
Do open gaming platforms and libraries come from big corps?
If you only look at what comes from big corps, then everything comes from big corps.
PSP Movies (Score:3, Insightful)
Thing is, it was selling for $29.99.
Did their market research really show them that people would be willing to pay thirty bucks for that? Will those things even play in normal DVD players?
Even at Amazon, I see PSP movies priced at $20 and up. What's the logic here?
Re:Open Development Platforms on Consoles (Score:2, Insightful)
Right now the Linux open-source gaming scene has about as much depth as a "500 games in 1" shareware CD from 1991. I'm sure in 14 years you'll have something to instill more pride in prospective users.
Re:The real strength of OLinux: embedded systems. (Score:3, Insightful)
I believe that is only the second or third reason. The number one reason is that there are no restrictions whatsoever on how you use or modify the code, other than the high-minded requirement to share your changes as others have shared theirs. Another leading reason is that the code is just darn good and packed with an amazing number of options. Yet another reason is that you do not have to accept any stripsearch-type contract with Microsoft. Yet another reason is that you can be sure that your code platform will never be end-of-lifed on you, there will never be a forced upgrade.
Saving the license fees is just the icing on the cake.
"Wait for the titles", say the PSP fanboys (Score:3, Insightful)
You can't expect people to buy a device based on some possible future device. You need to design for accessories that are available _now_.
Try telling that to PSP fanboys who recommend the PSP, despite their admission that the current titles are largely poorly designed *cough*Smart Bomb*cough* or poorly engineered *cough*Midnight Club 3 and its 70 seconds to load a 150 second racetrack*cough*, on the basis that future titles will be more enjoyable.
Otherwise the customer will simply hold off on buying the device until the required accessories come out.
They don't just hold off on buying it; they often buy the competitor's product instead. For instance, to continue the analogy to the PSP, the Nintendo DS is handily outselling the PSP worldwide.
This device should have a CF slot. It does not add much to the cost
Yes it does. At least the rubberized grip on the bottom of the unit (where the GBA games go on a Nintendo DS) would be more expensive to make with a hole in it for CF.
Re:"Wait for the titles", say the PSP fanboys (Score:3, Insightful)
In fact, take a look at these lists:
DS [metacritic.com]
PSP [metacritic.com]
These are lists of all available games for both platforms, sorted by their average review scores from a number of different sources.
You'll notice almost the same number of games available for both platforms (actually the DS has a few more). You'll also notice that the top (green) section for the PSP has 13 titles (44% of total), but for the DS has only 9 (27% of total). That seems to suggest the PSP has more good games that the DS, both as a total number and as a percentage of all available.
Now I have no problem with the DS, I don't own one but I can see why it appeals to a lot of people - particularly with it's low cost. But for crying out loud please stop the stupid anti-PSP FUD (the page you link to in your sig is so one sided Microsoft would be proud of it).