The Portable Linux Based GP2X is Here 232
An anonymous reader writes "Today sees the opening of the Official GP2X Site where you can see the new console from Gamepark.com, who last brought you the GP32 a fantastic console for homebrew developers. This console is a major step up with Dual 200Mhz cpus and is basically a Portable Linux handheld that can easily do ports like Quake, Doom and Emulators like Mame. Its Open Source SDK gives all amateur and commercial Developers the ablity to release software on a brand new console like the old Amiga/Commodore 64 days. More screenshots of the GP2X can be found at GP2x news."
Battery Life (Score:3, Insightful)
I think it would be fantastic to see this take off, perhaps it could jumpstart open source games. (yeah yeah insert comment about Tuxracer)
Awesome (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:So what? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Harddrive? (Score:5, Insightful)
1) HDDs have moving parts and are prone to failure in portable devices.
2) HDDs have moving parts requiring more power - a nono in a portable device.
3) SD == expandable - need more storage? Buy another card. You will be able to buy a 4Gig SD card next year for next to nothing.
Frankly, I think the lack of a HDD is a good thing - I would kill for a mp3 player with a CF slot....
Re:And I thought the PSP was cool... (Score:1, Insightful)
Face it - the PSP is not open and never will be. Sony is out to keep the PSP a closed system, they will do so by forcing updates.
Re:It's a scam (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Not enough (Score:3, Insightful)
Bear in mind what a lot of people are saying about the PSP: "Okay, there's no games on it apart from half a dozen identical racers, but it's really cool for running homebrew software! I hope I don't have to upgrade to firmware 1.50 and break all my emulators!"
This GP2X? It's half the price of a PSP, and while it doesn't have the racing games, it does have the cast-iron guarantee that the company that makes it is not doing everything it can to destroy your homebrew experience and prevent you using your hardware to do whatever you like - unlike Sony, who tighten their grip on their platform with every revision.
Can it compare with PSP in eye-candy? Not at all, not even close. Can it compare with PSP in emulation and homebrews? Well, let's see - it's half the price, it runs Linux, and it's explicitly marketed at the homebrew scene. Hmm, I wonder.
So maybe it's not your thing. That doesn't mean it's crap, you know?
Re:Awesome (Score:2, Insightful)
Come on guys (Score:2, Insightful)
Bonus 1 - the device runs linux
Bonus 2 - the architecture is open
Bonus 3 - the creators say they won't ruin homebrew
What if we code games/apps for this in a platform portable way? That could mean a bunch of new games (albeit old-style, but what's wrong with that?) for Linux.
Re:This does not make any business sense (Score:3, Insightful)
Personally, I'm more interested in this console than a PSP. An affordable handhold Linux system with USB and twin 200MHz processors does sound tempting. Shouldn't be too hard to get a terminal on this thing, and the USB connection opens up the possibility of buying a small keyboard for it.
Re:Not enough (Score:3, Insightful)
it's called Arbitrary Code Execution.
you wouldn't call programs written by non-corporate people as "homebrew", would you?
they're all just programs but full access to those devices are willfully denied to you, the true owner of the product. using legal and technical means to remove property rights is immoral and unethical.
if you want to rent devices, then call it renting and treat it accordingly. but if you sell something then after the fact prevent full access to it, that by definition is stealing. it should be illegal to engage in this disgusting business practice if it weren't for those meddling lobbyists and their pet congresscritters.