Looks like it's all over for the once promising Smach Z handheld

Throwing 1k at a KS campaign....
I'd really hope that's just spare change for whoever does that cause otherwise it seems like a really damn stupid thing to do.
KS is always throwing money at a dream with the slight chance it might actually come to fruition.


Last edited by TheSHEEEP on 15 May 2021 at 11:12 am UTC

I backed this, would have been fun... At a low tier, I forgot about that money a few years ago... But it still sucks.

And yet I've been seeing a few different systems that are similar to this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wINKqvWou5w

It's always a little dad to see projects fail, but, perhaps it's me, but I did not, and still don't, understand the appeal of playing a pC game on a mobile device. It's mostly a screen size thing for me. Too small to really enjoy.

It's always a little dad to see projects fail, but, perhaps it's me, but I did not, and still don't, understand the appeal of playing a pC game on a mobile device. It's mostly a screen size thing for me. Too small to really enjoy.

For me, it is more about the MASSIVE library of games that I have in Steam. Or emulation, etc. Being able to play those on the go is an appealing idea. But so was the idea of the Switch, but mine mostly just sits on its dock because I don't actually go anywhere...

It's always a little dad to see projects fail, but, perhaps it's me, but I did not, and still don't, understand the appeal of playing a pC game on a mobile device. It's mostly a screen size thing for me. Too small to really enjoy.

For me, it is more about the MASSIVE library of games that I have in Steam. Or emulation, etc. Being able to play those on the go is an appealing idea. But so was the idea of the Switch, but mine mostly just sits on its dock because I don't actually go anywhere...

I get that and also have a switch. But the games made for the switch, I would assume, target the switch and it's tiny screen. I feel like the PC, without the advantage of the monitor, can't compete using a switch-like against something purpose built with games targeting that form factor. I'm trying to imagine playing a hardcore PC game, like Dominions 5, or KSP, or Rimworld and I think it would be difficult to enjoy.

You make a really good point about the emulsion though. I hadn't thought of that.

For me the best "mobile console" so far is an Android Smartphone with Retroarch and an Ipega joystick, Relative cheap, it works and has a lot of games if you know how to do it.

I don't get it why it's still so hard to make something like this project to succeed, I mean there's obviously an market for this kind of console (based on the people who donate to it), the costs with hardware is probably the culprit I think.

I disagree with the headline. The Smach Z was never promising. Sure, the developers made a lot of promises, but I was never under the impression that they would be able to deliver.


Last edited by Mountain Man on 15 May 2021 at 11:16 pm UTC

For me the best "mobile console" so far is an Android Smartphone with Retroarch and an Ipega joystick, Relative cheap, it works and has a lot of games if you know how to do it.

I don't get it why it's still so hard to make something like this project to succeed, I mean there's obviously an market for this kind of console (based on the people who donate to it), the costs with hardware is probably the culprit I think.

Hard but do-able, there's several of these kinds of devices on (or coming to) the market (aya neo, gpd win).

It seems fairly clear to me that this project's underlying management problems are what are the real cause of it failing, not any inherent difficulty in getting such a niche product in costumers' hands.


Last edited by emphy on 16 May 2021 at 3:58 am UTC

we could be donating to one of those open source projects that exist and struggle to make money like make human and gimp...
but no, lets donate to that thing that might be an scam (and there are a lot of evidence supporting it).
the worst part is, even if this was sucessfull nothing would change in terms of marketshare for linux, people would just install windows on it (i mean, if they didnt already preo ordered with windows to begin with)
meanwhile donating to some open source project can make an difference.

And yet I've been seeing a few different systems that are similar to this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wINKqvWou5w

This, and also the ones from GPD.

How about they open up their designs? Even if those aren't complete, the community could try to pick up where they left, if there's any interest.

It seems fairly clear to me that this project's underlying management problems are what are the real cause of it failing, not any inherent difficulty in getting such a niche product in costumers' hands.

In my opinion Canonical should make a project like that, would be a perfect opportunity for them to push their snap packages in this "untapped market".

And yet I've been seeing a few different systems that are similar to this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wINKqvWou5w

This, and also the ones from GPD.

I have a GPD Win2... and kind of hate it because of how loud the fans are.

It seems fairly clear to me that this project's underlying management problems are what are the real cause of it failing, not any inherent difficulty in getting such a niche product in costumers' hands.

In my opinion Canonical should make a project like that, would be a perfect opportunity for them to push their snap packages in this "untapped market".

Personally, I think Valve is the one that should do it. The Steam Machines were a wonderful idea.

1) they failed as there wasn't a standard set up. Hard to do as games have a hige range of hardware requirements. There just needs to be "games for Steam Machine" icon.

2) the prices per spec were too expensive for most (because people don't understand that making PC hardware fir inside the embedded space IS expensive...)

3) a portable / dockable version like the Switch would have been AWESOME!

The problem with computer gaming overall is there are too many games that are simply unplayable without a mouse / keyboard, and Steam needed a better way to show that off. They have it now with the categories.

Personally, I think Valve is the one that should do it. The Steam Machines were a wonderful idea.

Yes Valve would be better, but I can't see a reason for them to invest in this right now, they're prety much comfortable with steam link.

1) they failed as there wasn't a standard set up. Hard to do as games have a huge range of hardware requirements. There just needs to be "games for Steam Machine" icon.

Steam machines failed because they didn't "fix linux gaming" before launching it to the customers, but since the main reason was to send a message to Microsoft, in the end they achieved their objective.

2) the prices per spec were too expensive for most (because people don't understand that making PC hardware fir inside the embedded space IS expensive...)

And that's the main problem, common users don't want to pay more for something that you have to configure some things yourself, even if the result is better in the end. That's why consoles and notebooks are a thing, because it's pretty much "just use it". Also "exclusives".

3) a portable / dockable version would have been AWESOME!

Indeed, nowadays there's much more software resources to make something like this succeed, they also could use some flatpak-based distro to make sure the games are more akin to run without problems, so again, Canonical may be losing a opportunity to invest in this and push their snap packages (which I'm not a fan)

like the Switch

I personally didn't want anything from Nintendo since the Gameboy Advanced, so I don't know how it is...

The problem with computer gaming overall is there are too many games that are simply unplayable without a mouse / keyboard, and Steam needed a better way to show that off. They have it now with the categories.

Support for Bluetooth mouse + keyboard and an adapter for bigger screens could partially solve this (again the main problem is hardware costs), but most small screen friendly games usually are played with controllers.

Yes Valve would be better, but I can't see a reason for them to invest in this right now, they're prety much comfortable with steam link.

Steam Link has been discontinued, it's now just an app.

Steam machines failed because they didn't "fix linux gaming" before launching it to the customers, but since the main reason was to send a message to Microsoft, in the end they achieved their objective.

Even the Windows based ones that would boot straight to Steam BPM failed to sell well. I tend to think the failure was purely marketing. No one knew about them, there were too many manufacturers of it, and too many levels of the specs. Imagine if the Atari 2600 had released with three versions, one that could only play 2600 games, one that could also play 5200 ones, and one that also could play 7800 games. But Atari didn't manufacture any of them themselves, and just let random companies build them? Pretty sure the Video Game industry would never have really been born, and we'd all be spending our gaming days in the Arcades... (mind you Atari would probably still be a giant in that industry, as it seems that's where they were raking in the most cash!)

And that's the main problem, common users don't want to pay more for something that you have to configure some things yourself, even if the result is better in the end. That's why consoles and notebooks are a thing, because it's pretty much "just use it". Also "exclusives".

Ha, Exclusives are one thing that make ZERO sense on a computer platform. I agree with GabeN on this. Console players are always about the 'exclusives' as it is the reasoning behind why they 'Just have to' buy all the consoles. Imagine if exclusives didn't exist. One could purchase a single console based on either specs, controller style, machine capabilities, etc. Instead of 'OMG, I need the newest Halo, so must get Xbox!' Then again, also think of how crap it is when a game does come out for every platform, and they code it for lowest common denominator (like the Xbox, most games target that and don't utilize any of the cool controller developments that Playstation or Switch have. Like no Gyro, etc).

Indeed, nowadays there's much more software resources to make something like this succeed, they also could use some flatpak-based distro to make sure the games are more akin to run without problems, so again, Canonical may be losing a opportunity to invest in this and push their snap packages (which I'm not a fan)

Ha, Canonical needs to get over themselves. Snap is terrible. They need to just stop being a 'me too' and 'not invented here' distribution and be successful based on distributing a good product. Seems to me they haven't even cared that much for the Desktop as much as they care about their server products, and Openstack, etc. Look at who funds most of the desktop oriented stuff. It's mostly RH, which is funny as years ago they basically said Desktop Linux was dead and they weren't going to bother with it. Yet most of the Gnome stuff is funded by them, as well as Pulse, Pipewire, systemd, etc. I stopped using Ubuntu years ago, as they had decided to diverge from standard Gnome and use Unity (which seemed to have worse performance, and looked terrible to me).

I personally didn't want anything from Nintendo since the Gameboy Advanced, so I don't know how it is...

I hear ya, I've never been a Nintendo fan (Atari and then Sega for me). The Switch is the only Nintendo console I've ever bought / owned. And it was mostly the concept of being able to start playing on one TV, pick up a game play on a road trip, and then dock again at another TV that was appealing. Then of course how many times have I traveled since getting one? Zero...

Support for Bluetooth mouse + keyboard and an adapter for bigger screens could partially solve this (again the main problem is hardware costs), but most small screen friendly games usually are played with controllers.

Sadly, for gaming bluetooth and wireless in general kind of sucks. I have a Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse thing for remote loading up / logging in for my living room computer, and I swear if I move in the wrong direction it doesn't work right. Also they tend to have really aggressive sleep states, so unless you're constantly moving, it disables it frequently to conserve battery. Though the one I have isn't bluetooth if I recall, it uses Logitech's own dongle. Also, would be terrible for gaming, as it's very much like a Laptop keyboard. I tend to game on a mechanical keyboard, which would be terrible to fit on your lap on a couch :P

we could be donating to one of those open source projects that exist and struggle to make money like make human and gimp...

I'd never heard of MakeHuman. Awesome! They also announced MakeTherapist. Which in this day and age, I think we could all use, Ha!

Actually that reminds me of the old Eliza program...

Steam Link has been discontinued, it's now just an app.

I'm talking about the app, it's working without having to purchase specific hardware for it, so there's no reason to Valve investing in it right now (hardware).

Even the Windows based ones that would boot straight to Steam BPM failed to sell well. I tend to think the failure was purely marketing.

For sure, and also because Steam machines were only offered in countries where good hardware is affordable, so why a lot of people would invest in a new computer / console hybrid, if they already have a top computer and the newest consoles? This + a lot of games not running properly + totally lack of marketing resulted in where we are today. And if it were offered in third world countries, would have been too expensive for most people to try it without a good base (they didn't offered here).

Ha, Exclusives are one thing that make ZERO sense on a computer platform. I agree with GabeN on this. Console players are always about the 'exclusives' as it is the reasoning behind why they 'Just have to' buy all the consoles.

I know this and you know this, the average customer don't. You underestimates how much the impact of exclusives has in it, the entire console market nowadays is made on top of this. I personally have friends who always buy playstations because they're hardcore fans of Resident Evil franchise (which was a exclusive not long ago) and God of War, so it's a mix of nostalgia + practicality for them, not to mention that a lot (I mean really a lot) of people in my country only buy a console to be able to play "soccer games with a joystick with practicality" despite any technical advantages / disadvantages of the platform.

Imagine if exclusives didn't exist. One could purchase a single console based on either specs, controller style, machine capabilities, etc. Instead of 'OMG, I need the newest Halo, so must get Xbox!' Then again, also think of how crap it is when a game does come out for every platform, and they code it for lowest common denominator (like the Xbox, most games target that and don't utilize any of the cool controller developments that Playstation or Switch have. Like no Gyro, etc).

That's the point, exclusives (and consoles) still exists, because of marketing pushing them as a good think (ask about to any console fanboy), and most important practicality. Non-tech enthusiasts despite anything that's not "plug and play", and I would like to take this opportunity to comment a quote that I think every linux developer on the planet should tattoo on their arms: "It's a good thing when you can configure something, it's a bad thing when you need to"

Ha, Canonical needs to get over themselves. Snap is terrible. They need to just stop being a 'me too' and 'not invented here' distribution and be successful based on distributing a good product.

I personally don't care about Canonical or snaps, I only cited them because I see them as a company that could have interest to invest in a project like this (in order to push their snaps at the market)

I hear ya, I've never been a Nintendo fan (Atari and then Sega for me). The Switch is the only Nintendo console I've ever bought / owned. And it was mostly the concept of being able to start playing on one TV, pick up a game play on a road trip, and then dock again at another TV that was appealing.

Practicality

Sadly, for gaming bluetooth and wireless in general kind of sucks. I have a Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse thing for remote loading up / logging in for my living room computer, and I swear if I move in the wrong direction it doesn't work right.

I think the main problem of bluetooth is the different versions of the protocol, maybe if it was the latest version of both the peripherals and the host, this could help to remedy problems like that.


Last edited by BielFPs on 17 May 2021 at 7:10 pm UTC

"It's a good thing when can configure something, it's a bad thing when you need to"

I just wanted to quote this again. Too true.