Popcorn Pocket PC - A Linux handheld terminal


Chip

[Insert Custom Title Here]
Joined
Jun 25, 2003
Messages
3,503
Age
45
Location
NJ, USA
Website
chipandre.com
Just found this posting over on the PocketCHIP subreddit. Apparently some former employees of the now-defunct Next Thing Computing have started their own SBC/handheld company called Popcorn. They seem to be working along the same lines as Next Thing, with a couple of CHIP-compatible boards in the pipeline (though for a lot more than the original $9). They're also working on a handheld linux terminal that looks like it could be pretty interesting, if they can actually get it built. I guess they're focusing more on the hardware design than flashy marketing, because it's simply called the "Pocket PC".

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Specs aren't mindblowing, but they should be more than sufficient for the intended purpose of the device:

  • 1.2 GHz Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU
  • 2GB DDR3 RAM
  • 32GB eMMC Memory
  • 4.95" Full HD 1920x1080px IPS LCD
  • Internal microSD Card Connector
  • 3200mAh Removable Battery
  • 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi / Bluetooth 4.0
  • Infineon OPTIGA TRUST M Secure Element
  • Built-in Programmable USB Keyboard w/ Backlight:
    • STM32F103C8T6 ARM Cortex-M3 MCU
    • 25x RGB APA102-2020 LEDs
    • 59x Silicone Buttons
  • 4x USB-C Connectors:
    • 1x Device Port w/ Power Delivery (PD)
    • 2x Host Port (1x w/ PD, 1x w/o PD)
    • 1x USB-to-Serial Converter for Console Output
  • Debian 10 w/ Mainline Linux
  • Compatible w/ Gadget OS & Buildroot
  • Open-Source Keyboard & LED Controller Firmware
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Pricing is higher than you'd probably expect, with the standard version pre-ordering for $200, and the LoRa-radio-equipped version asking $300. Still, considering most of these folks lost their last job because Next Thing was selling everything at a loss, I can hardly blame them for being more conservative with their pricing. You can get more info and gamble on a preorder here, if you're so inclined.
 
Keyboard final? Really don't understand making backspace and delete the same button for no reason.
Doublewide enter instead of L+2 is what tanks it for me.
Handheld usability is not determined by how close it is to ANSI 10-finger physical layout.
 
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