Current Status
Hi,
as everybody is waiting, I thought I'd post some status informations. I'll keep them up-to-date here, so everybody knows what's happening :)
To-Do:
* Get the final Prototype case
* Build a test device and check if everything is okay
* Create the keymat mould (takes 20 - 25 days)
* Design the final keyboard layout (needs to be finished when the mould is ready)
* Create mould of final case (can be done once the case fits, takes 30 - 35 days)
* CE / FCC testing (can be done once the prototype case is here)
* Mass Production testrun for the final boards
* Stability testing (this will be fun)
* Wait for the last remaining pieces for mass production (LATEST deadline is second week of March)
* Mass Production
* Test the boards
* SHIP THEM!
Please keep in mind that it also takes some time to ship.
It won't help if the case if finished in China, it has to go to Michael and then to the CE / FCC testing company, etc.
Okay, some more info about the mass production:
We want to have a 48 burn-in test for the boards. The failure rate on the first boards depends on how many we'll test!
In worst case, we have to test ALL boards, which will take a month - don't worry however, as we can have weekly shipments of the already tested and working boards so the first guys who have ordered don't have to wait so long.
Let's cross our fingers and hope there won't be many problems from now on!
Happy new year of the Pandora!
Hello everyone and a very happy new year!
We wish to thank you all for your ongoing support and tell you a big
sorry for all the delays we had so far.
2008 had been a very exciting year for us. With a lot of stepping
stones. First we had the PayPal issue, then the banking problem with
all those credit cards (and Amex is still troubling) and because of
this we needed to reroute money from various other accounts to pay for
the production... which caused delays, especially for the LCDs (though
that issue is solved now, the last LCDs will ship soon, thank goodness).
And if that wasn't enough, we a bit trouble with the rechargeable
battery, as it was pretty hard designing a battery with that high
capacity that also FITS into the case.
This delayed the case - but I'm happy to announce that the final
battery is already being prototyped. As soon as we get it (which should
be within the next week), the case design will be ready a few days later (we set the deadline for the case design to January 15th). Prototyping shouldn't take too long - and then it will
only be a matter of a few weeks more until everything is ready for
delivery.
So, while we're really sorry for those delays (believe me - we didn't
expect THAT much problems - especially not from the banks... we
couldn't have found a worse time to start this than that of a worldwide economical crisis.
However, we also got some good news for you AMEX guys: We know you didn't get your money back yet (we're having another meeting with the bank in the near future), however, we assure you that EVERYBODY WHO ORDERED AND PAID will get a Pandora, even if you didn't get the chance to reorder yet!
But, oh well, we did learn a lot - and now, after 2,5 years designing
the system, the end of the trip is coming to an end. All thanks to you
guys! Without your support, all this wouldn't have been possible!
Stay tuned for final prototype pics within this month!
So, here is a mini-roadmap:
* Case Design: January 15th
* Case Prototyping: approx. 1-2 weeks later
* Final production and delivery: approx. 2 - 4 weeks later
2009 will surely be the year of the Pandora.
Also, as you do know that this site is not updated with every step we do, we do post a lot of mini informations at the forums. As a lot of you don't have time to read the boards frequently, people did create an unofficial blog with a lot more updates. Keep in mind that the information there is NOT directly from us, so some stuff might not be completely accurate, but it's a very nice site.
Head over to http://openpandora.wordpress.com/.
Updates for December
The credit card reordering which is required for some customers has not yet started, we will email you all when it does and we will try to make it as close to the actual shipping of the Pandora consoles as we can.
Remember to add your name to the newsletter mailing list if you want to order a Pandora when more are available, it's possible this may be sooner than you think as we will probably have 200-300 spare from the first batch.
Also we now have a dedicated press relations guy, if you need anything press related please email chip@openpandora.org and he will do his best to make wonderful things happen.
Sold out!
The first batch of the Pandora is now sold out.
Thanks to everyone for the support so far, we should have some tasty new photos on the blog soon.
Final Preorders
The cut off for Pandora preorders is the end of the 5th of October worldwide (so that is just before Noon UK/Europe time on Monday).
Please make sure you place your order before then.
Order via your local distributor.
We will update the site on Tuesday with the final sales figures and next week you will be seeing the very first of the mass production PCBs.
Thanks Everyone - and we look forward to the next step! Catch us on the new (temporary while the old ones are fixed) forums.
How did this system come to be?
The Pandora is a unique machine. It was designed based on the input of thousands of forum users with one goal in mind - to make the ultimate open source handheld device.
How powerful is it?
It is by far the most powerful handheld in the world both in terms of raw CPU power and 3D graphics capability, it will be able to handle things such as Firefox3 or Quake3 with ease.
When and where can I buy it?
There are a small number of Pandoras left from the first batch - if you are interested in buying one please email openpandorasales@gmail.com.
How much will it cost?
It's $330, to get the latest price in your currency use a conversion website such as xe.com.
What is the device designed for?
It is designed as an ultra portable open source computer with gaming controls, it is very small, around about the same size as a DS. It can easily fit in your pocket.
Why such a radical design?
The design is actually a simple clamshell which gives maximum protection, maximum control layout and of course maximum battery size.
I have a question / Why did you do Xyz...
Head over to the OpenPandora Forums and post your thoughts...
You may also want to check the Pandora Wiki (off site link, we are not responsible for content).
There are 2 unofficial Pandora news sites, you may wish to get your news from these too:
Unofficial openPandora blog (English)
OpenPandora.es (Spanish)
Recent press links:
Complete, nearly finalized Pandora gets shown off on video. (Engadget)
First fully working Pandora on video. (JKKMobile)
Video: Quake demoed on Pandora gaming handheld. (Crunch Gear)
Pandora open-source console Quake 60fps video demo. (slashgear)
GossipGames reports on the white Pandora video. (Gossipgames)
Interview with Craig about how the Pandora came about. (Pocket Gamer)
Pandora finally (finally!) gets a ship date and price. (Engadget)
Pandora handheld console dated and priced. (Bit-Tech)
Pandora project demoed on video, shows off hardware, Linux, and Quake 2. (Engadget)
In die Box geschaut - der neue Handheld Pandora im Hands-on. (German)
Games Convention: Das müssen Sie sehen. (German)
Pandora highlights the evolution of the smartphone platform. (UMPC Portal)
Engadget reports on the video of the first prototype Pandora.
ARM themselves report on how the Pandora was designed by the community forum.
Maailman tehokkain käsikonsoli käynnistyi (Finnish).
Technabob takes a look at the Pandora.
A nice article on the Pandora by RetroThing.
Linux-BG article (In Russian we think!).
CrunchGear gives some opinions on the Pandora.
Destructoid takes a look at the Pandora specs.
Original rumours article on Engadget speculating that we were working on such a device.