Powered by the Raspberry Pi 5, the incoming pilet devices from soulscircuit look like a chunky retro-tech enthusiasts wet dream and I want them. I have absolutely zero need of them, but I want them badly. Originally going under the code-name of consolo, I almost let out a little squeal of excitement when seeing them today.
Both versions are modular, that they say are "built by open source software for the open source community" with various schematics and other files freely available. They say the "design will be open-sourced once the product is fully completed" too.
Split across two versions, one is a handheld mini-PC with a keyboard, the other has a bigger screen acting more like a tablet:
Click picture to enlarge. Those with a keen eye may spot a Godot Engine and Bevy Engine folder.
They say you'll get dual 8000mah batteries giving you a 7 hour battery life. The tablet sounds like the most fun of the two with you being able to attach a keyboard, gamepad, camera and more. They even showed it off acting like a games console in one picture:
As for pricing, that's still to be decided according to their website but they're aiming for around $250.
They have multiple videos of prototype devices in action on their YouTube channel, like the one below:
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Direct Link
Direct Link
You can follow it on their website and their upcoming Kickstarter campaign.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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These have an incredibly lovely aesthetic and I can already see some uses for them.
Impractical? Maybe, but they are sure are fashionable!
Impractical? Maybe, but they are sure are fashionable!
5 Likes, Who?
R Daneel Olivaw Dec 4, 2024
OMG I want that one with the keyboard. It even has an ETHERNET PORT!!!!!!!!!! yessssssssssss just take my money.
You know what I'd really love? If I could use something like this as my day to day phone:
https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2
basically the middle ground between a full fledged smart phone and a completely dumb phone. On a device like that, the battery would last me like a week because I would only ever use it for calls, texts, playing podcasts in my car, stuff like that.
And then anything else, like emails, or looking up webpages, or using apps, I could use this device! Man............... If my family weren't so tied into the apple ecosystem (shared calendars and photo albums etc) I would totally try it.
edit: DAMNATION ... they're going to launch it as a kickstarter ffs. I swore I'd never again use kickstarter for anything ever ever ever, but ............................ shit.
Last edited by R Daneel Olivaw on 4 December 2024 at 3:15 pm UTC
You know what I'd really love? If I could use something like this as my day to day phone:
https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2
basically the middle ground between a full fledged smart phone and a completely dumb phone. On a device like that, the battery would last me like a week because I would only ever use it for calls, texts, playing podcasts in my car, stuff like that.
And then anything else, like emails, or looking up webpages, or using apps, I could use this device! Man............... If my family weren't so tied into the apple ecosystem (shared calendars and photo albums etc) I would totally try it.
edit: DAMNATION ... they're going to launch it as a kickstarter ffs. I swore I'd never again use kickstarter for anything ever ever ever, but ............................ shit.
Last edited by R Daneel Olivaw on 4 December 2024 at 3:15 pm UTC
7 Likes, Who?
Mohandevir Dec 4, 2024
The controller for the console mode gives me Apple IIe controller vibes. 
Edit: In fact, the whole thing gives me Apple IIe vibes... Probably the color scheme.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 4 December 2024 at 3:23 pm UTC
Edit: In fact, the whole thing gives me Apple IIe vibes... Probably the color scheme.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 4 December 2024 at 3:23 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Arehandoro Dec 4, 2024
Damn it @Liam, I'm trying to be responsible with money! xD
9 Likes, Who?
Arehandoro Dec 4, 2024
OMG I want that one with the keyboard. It even has an ETHERNET PORT!!!!!!!!!! yessssssssssss just take my money.
You know what I'd really love? If I could use something like this as my day to day phone:
https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2
basically the middle ground between a full fledged smart phone and a completely dumb phone. On a device like that, the battery would last me like a week because I would only ever use it for calls, texts, playing podcasts in my car, stuff like that.
And then anything else, like emails, or looking up webpages, or using apps, I could use this device! Man............... If my family weren't so tied into the apple ecosystem (shared calendars and photo albums etc) I would totally try it.
edit: DAMNATION ... they're going to launch it as a kickstarter ffs. I swore I'd never again use kickstarter for anything ever ever ever, but ............................ shit.
I've looked into the Palma 2 before, but it doesn't have a SIM Card slot, does it? I would need it to use GPS on the car/bike, otherwise I'd probably try to switch to it soon.
1 Likes, Who?
R Daneel Olivaw Dec 4, 2024
OMG I want that one with the keyboard. It even has an ETHERNET PORT!!!!!!!!!! yessssssssssss just take my money.
You know what I'd really love? If I could use something like this as my day to day phone:
https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2
basically the middle ground between a full fledged smart phone and a completely dumb phone. On a device like that, the battery would last me like a week because I would only ever use it for calls, texts, playing podcasts in my car, stuff like that.
And then anything else, like emails, or looking up webpages, or using apps, I could use this device! Man............... If my family weren't so tied into the apple ecosystem (shared calendars and photo albums etc) I would totally try it.
edit: DAMNATION ... they're going to launch it as a kickstarter ffs. I swore I'd never again use kickstarter for anything ever ever ever, but ............................ shit.
I've looked into the Palma 2 before, but it doesn't have a SIM Card slot, does it? I would need it to use GPS on the car/bike, otherwise I'd probably try to switch to it soon.
No it doesn't. They've made comments about "looking into it for palma 3" but that's all I've seen. For it to REALLY replace a phone, yes I'd need that as well so I could have voice/data while out and about.
2 Likes, Who?
I don't have a cell phone, don't really want to be available to people at all times or pay monthly for a plan (Canada--some of the most expensive cell phone plans in the world). But that also means I don't have a little handheld computing device, which I do sometimes miss. This could be just the thing.
Last edited by Purple Library Guy on 4 December 2024 at 5:11 pm UTC
Last edited by Purple Library Guy on 4 December 2024 at 5:11 pm UTC
6 Likes, Who?
OMG I want that one with the keyboard. It even has an ETHERNET PORT!!!!!!!!!! yessssssssssss just take my money.
You know what I'd really love? If I could use something like this as my day to day phone:
https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2
basically the middle ground between a full fledged smart phone and a completely dumb phone. On a device like that, the battery would last me like a week because I would only ever use it for calls, texts, playing podcasts in my car, stuff like that.
And then anything else, like emails, or looking up webpages, or using apps, I could use this device! Man............... If my family weren't so tied into the apple ecosystem (shared calendars and photo albums etc) I would totally try it.
edit: DAMNATION ... they're going to launch it as a kickstarter ffs. I swore I'd never again use kickstarter for anything ever ever ever, but ............................ shit.
I've looked into the Palma 2 before, but it doesn't have a SIM Card slot, does it? I would need it to use GPS on the car/bike, otherwise I'd probably try to switch to it soon.
GPS by itself shouldn't need a SIM card though?
1 Likes, Who?
Caldathras Dec 4, 2024
Canada--some of the most expensive cell phone plans in the worldTell me about it. That's why I use a relatively inexpensive Pay-As-You-Go plan.
I don't have a little handheld computing deviceBack in the day, before the advent of smart phones, we used to call them PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). I think I like your description for them better.
Last edited by Caldathras on 4 December 2024 at 6:26 pm UTC
5 Likes, Who?
Linux_Rocks Dec 4, 2024
I've still got my Palm III that I got from a neighbor when he upgraded back in the day. I bought the Palm OS 4.1 upgrade disc when I got it. Still works great and made me glad that I added a DB9 bracket above my GPU on my PC, cause the dock uses serial. lolI don't have a little handheld computing deviceBack in the day, before the advent of smart phones, we used to call them PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). I think I like your description for them better.
2 Likes, Who?
walther von stolzing Dec 4, 2024
OMG I want that one with the keyboard. It even has an ETHERNET PORT!!!!!!!!!!
& it's gigabit ethernet because it's a complete Raspberry Pi 5 inside.
There are similar projects, by the way, (and open-source 'flip phones' based on the RPi Zero) many of which involve soldering the keyboard assembly, sourcing the display, 3d printing the case, etc. (even fanciful 'cyberdeck' type things ); this one looks like it's for people who want the device 'just to work', and I hope they succeed.
Last edited by walther von stolzing on 4 December 2024 at 9:15 pm UTC
0 Likes
ElectricPrism Dec 4, 2024
I don't have a cell phone [...]
Living the dream :P
(Canada--some of the most expensive cell phone plans in the world)
I am excited at the prospect that StarLink will breakup communication monopolies with "Direct to Cell" and force telco companies to finally raise the bar and have fair pricing for customers.
I've had internet friends in Canada and the prices are super not cool,
Similarly, 42.5 billion was spent in the states "allegedly" to improve internet but the red tape, telcom territories and bureaucracy balkanize and monopolize the market.
We need low cost global internet on portable devices so we can welcome all of the other people in the world and begin working together towards common goals like technological innovation and software freedoms.
2 Likes, Who?
UnixOutlaw Dec 5, 2024
I don't need it - but I'm a sucker... Looks to the right side of my desk - there's my PocketCHIP... Looks to the left left side of my desk there's my Beepy! I don't even use them!
1 Likes, Who?
Arehandoro Dec 5, 2024
GPS by itself shouldn't need a SIM card though?
Well, true, but I'd need the maps, and the bus/train connections when not on a car/bike :)
0 Likes
GPS by itself shouldn't need a SIM card though?
Well, true, but I'd need the maps, and the bus/train connections when not on a car/bike :)
I've got no idea about the device we're talking about (so don't listen to me!), but if you don't need information about the current traffic situation (traffic jams and the like), this could be preloaded.
1 Likes, Who?
R Daneel Olivaw Dec 5, 2024
it's just an android device, so yes, you could offline whatever geo area you want into google maps or osmand or whatever other mapping app you want and then use that offline with gps all day long. I have done that multiple times on trips abroad when I didn't want to turn on cellular data to save money.
2 Likes, Who?
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