The Rise of Pyra - A story about the past 6 months


but it was decided that the forum community here dictate much of the design choices

That is INCORRECT. ED asked for dreamed specs, and people said what they wanted BUT final specs were ED decision and choice. For example, initially it was going to be FullHD (1092×1080) but he changed it to 720p (1280×720). Sometime he asked something, but only as a posible advice. He got its own decisions.

Using molded plastic and choosing that 1st company, losing a lot of years/money/effort, was his decision, not community decision.

Sorry, but community can't be blamed for ED decisions.

that unfortunately added a ton of complexity on the project

But worst part was not for complexity but for opting for bad decisions: molded plastic, bad company (for what it was needed), bad SOC/CPU/company support, etc.

It was an ambitious project for a near only man, but no much more complex compared to other projects which have been developed an completed in much less time.

And there have been a lot of other projects from other people achieving goals, some of them with a lot less backers. For example look at Pocket Reform: there was much less backers BUT for example they choose aluminum for case, no molded plastic with their problems.

Pocket Reform campaign: 424 backers, and they didn't need more than 10 years:

did their best to move through a lot of obstacles when things didn't go well

We don't question his will and effort. Others would have abandon that project much earlier (although that would have saved us a lot of years following a dead project).

That said I'm lucky I've had my Pyra for over 5 years now so I may have a different perspective

You have been lucky if you are satisfied. If I would pay for Pyra and receve it, I won't be so satisfied without a CPU upgrade, because it doesn't fulfills what I expect from a pocket computer with that SOC: for example I expect "instant-on" from suspension and a very good time in suspend mode (even my smartphone, in offline mode, last at least half a month, not to mention to old pocket computers where batteries last for a lot of months in suspension; but Pyra with that SOC doesn't have suspend mode). I wouldn't be satisfied that way (without other CPU card which could work ok in suspend mode and having better support).

The final reality is that Pyra is a dead project from a lot of time.

PD: I backed this project talking to other people (out of this forum) about it and even writing on other places about it. I believed on it, but realty was different.
 
Last edited:
A lot of lessons learnt for a Pyra II

I think ED has learnt something on fire: no more future Pyra projects :) He has got enough suffering. Sorry, but I think it is clearly that way.

PD: If I was rich (with time and space), I would develop my own pocket computer with what I have learnt observing Pyra project. But at the moment I am not, and I don't have space :(
 
I could be wrong here, but as far as I know also Pandora doesn't have a "real" suspend mode, it's just a script that underclocks CPU, turns off display and some other things like bluetooth and wifi ... this could be done on Pyra also.
 
but rely on GPD

They can are products for its shop but I think GPD computers are very different from Pyra ideas: big and burning x86 CPU for Windows gamers, not so pocket size, bad battery time, etc.

I suppose GPD could do a product like Pyra (real pocket size, no fan required, etc, etc) but it is a very small market and they get more money with expensive Windows gaming "pocket computers".
Post automatically merged:

I could be wrong here, but as far as I know also Pandora doesn't have a "real" suspend mode, it's just a script that underclocks CPU, turns off display and some other things like bluetooth and wifi ... this could be done on Pyra also.

I didn't have a Pandora, but I own a lot of old pocket computers and I have owned a lot of smartphones, and all they have very good suspend mode. And I ask for that on a pocket computer: I want to take it from my pocket and be ready without having to boot it each time or leaving it in a mode which CPU is not suspended and is draining battery too much.
 
That is INCORRECT. ED asked for dreamed specs, and people said what they wanted BUT final specs were ED decision and choice. For example, initially it was going to be FullHD (1092×1080) but he changed it to 720p (1280×720). Sometime he asked something, but only as a posible advice. He got its own decisions.
Were you not here during the "Pandora 2" development discussion period?, just about everything feature was discussed either in a thread on which way should we do it or via a poll. including possible SoC choices, screen choices, audio circuitry, modular vs single board CPU design, keyboard layout, initial colors, etc... EvilDragon did have a final say, but we did have a lot of sway in the end and I feel that yes there was added complexity in the design because of the need to satisfy choices the community wanted.
 
Last edited:
Were you not here during the "Pandora 2" development discussion period?, just about everything feature was discussed either in a thread on which way should we do it or via a poll. including possible SoC choices, screen choices, audio circuitry, modular vs single board CPU design, keyboard layout, initial colors, etc... EvilDragon did have a final say, but we did have a lot of sway in the end result and I feel that yes there was added complexity in the design because of the need to satisfy choices the community wanted.

I remember a lot of discussion, but not all of them. About keyboard I remember I said ED and other putting German characters on keyboard was a not a good idea because it was not "international" (I think it is better using something like "US International" layout, as it lets using near all important languages of western world); and ED or someone asked me what I wanted to say with "too much German [keyboard]" or something so :D And what happened? Pyra keyboard have those German characters because ED wanted it.

Community dreams (everyone has different dreams) and polls were not final decisions, those were ED decisions. Did he listen? Yes, but forum wasn't on charge of Pyra project.

PD: BTW I own two Pyra keyboards/keymates :)
 
We have a saying in the Netherlands "The best helmsmen are on shore"

@TeDaDeS (de beste stuurlui staan aan wal) :D

ED did a fantastic job saving the Pandora, shipping Pyra's, running a company and holding down a job. Amazing achievements. I hope he's doing well and it would be great to hear from him here about his future plans. It's been too long.
 
And there have been a lot of other projects from other people achieving goals, some of them with a lot less backers. For example look at Pocket Reform: there was much less backers BUT for example they choose aluminum for case, no molded plastic with their problems.
These projects are more recent. Back when the Pyra project was started, there were plenty of people with less ambitious goals (mostly smartphone projects) who failed to deliver because they expected things to be much easier than they were. These newer projects benefit from these past experiences and a more mature supply chain. Also, most of these projects are made in China while ED tried to do as many things as possible in Europe.
 
These newer projects benefit from these past experiences and a more mature supply chain.

There has been more problems with supply chain in recent years (Covid, etc) than when Pyra project was launched.

But it may be true in recent years there are more Chinese services for doing small batches.

Also, most of these projects are made in China while ED tried to do as many things as possible in Europe.

ED fault. Europeans molded plastic companies he selected didn't got work done right.

I suppose today it would be easier contracting a CNC service. You got samples and you can modify them in little time, it is not like molded plastic where it is a nightmare if you are not a big company or you have your own experienced service.
 
interesting, a lot of people agreeing with things i said but im the troll???
how can anyone think of a pyra 2 when over 500 orders for the pyra 1 are still outstanding?
Asharus how many working main boards were there? i know there were some requiring rework.
 
Back
Top