I recently purchased a GP2X Wiz through Thinkgeek after realizing the Pandora has yet to be released and it is looking unlikely that I'll be able to acquire one any time soon. My plan is to build a wearable computer/game system out of it with the following goals:
8 hour run time (in use)
Single eye heads up display
Wireless stereo audio with microphone
500GB of storage for media and games
Wireless control with a game controller (later going to see about using an iGrips)
Wireless Internet connectivity
Currently my thoughts are that I will build a battery pack/belt system using rechargeable Lithium-Ion 5v regulated batteries connected in parallel to get roughly 250 watt hours (5v at 2A draw or 4x500ma USB devices), connected to the USB power connection on a GP2X Break Out Box, which is then connected to a hacked 4-port powered USB hub, with both housed inside a project box with an amplified USB Wi-Fi transceiver, a bluetooth receiver (for the headset and a Logitech DiNovo Edge keyboard or AlphaGrips iGrips keyboard), an Xbox 360 Wireless receiver, and a 500GB 2.5" USB hard drive. I plan to run an external antenna from the Wi-Fi transceiver to a 13db gain omni rubber ducky mounted to my hat.
For the HUD, I'd be modifying a MyVu Crystal EV Personal Media Display to remove the audio functionality and reduce it to one screen on the right side, with the left side left clear. I've got a pair of ballistic goggles I'd build the HUD into (for stability), and I'd cover the left side of the goggles with Red Kite Eye Dominance tape (to force dominance to my right eye where the HUD is). Additionally, the stereo sound output and the microphone would both be provided wirelessly by a Motorola S9 bluetooth headset. I'm considering options for integrating USB power into the MyVu and the S9 via the battery pack to keep them continuously running. Control would be based around an Xbox 360 wireless controller and a Logitech DiNovo Edge wireless keyboard/trackpad, possibly using an AlphaGrips iGrips in the future (if they ever release the wireless version).
Obviously this will make me look ridiculous and geeky as fuck, but nonetheless I think it's a great idea and totally doable. I am definitely wishing to solicit comments, thoughts, suggestions, or any other helpful tips from the community. I'm not new to Linux or hacking hardware, but I am new to the Wiz and the ARM architecture, so I have a lot to learn. From what I understand there are already either built-in or ported and available drivers for USB mass storage and some USB wireless receivers. I'm not sure about the bluetooth receiver or the 360 receiver, but I figure that's doable, since they do have Linux support.
8 hour run time (in use)
Single eye heads up display
Wireless stereo audio with microphone
500GB of storage for media and games
Wireless control with a game controller (later going to see about using an iGrips)
Wireless Internet connectivity
Currently my thoughts are that I will build a battery pack/belt system using rechargeable Lithium-Ion 5v regulated batteries connected in parallel to get roughly 250 watt hours (5v at 2A draw or 4x500ma USB devices), connected to the USB power connection on a GP2X Break Out Box, which is then connected to a hacked 4-port powered USB hub, with both housed inside a project box with an amplified USB Wi-Fi transceiver, a bluetooth receiver (for the headset and a Logitech DiNovo Edge keyboard or AlphaGrips iGrips keyboard), an Xbox 360 Wireless receiver, and a 500GB 2.5" USB hard drive. I plan to run an external antenna from the Wi-Fi transceiver to a 13db gain omni rubber ducky mounted to my hat.
For the HUD, I'd be modifying a MyVu Crystal EV Personal Media Display to remove the audio functionality and reduce it to one screen on the right side, with the left side left clear. I've got a pair of ballistic goggles I'd build the HUD into (for stability), and I'd cover the left side of the goggles with Red Kite Eye Dominance tape (to force dominance to my right eye where the HUD is). Additionally, the stereo sound output and the microphone would both be provided wirelessly by a Motorola S9 bluetooth headset. I'm considering options for integrating USB power into the MyVu and the S9 via the battery pack to keep them continuously running. Control would be based around an Xbox 360 wireless controller and a Logitech DiNovo Edge wireless keyboard/trackpad, possibly using an AlphaGrips iGrips in the future (if they ever release the wireless version).
Obviously this will make me look ridiculous and geeky as fuck, but nonetheless I think it's a great idea and totally doable. I am definitely wishing to solicit comments, thoughts, suggestions, or any other helpful tips from the community. I'm not new to Linux or hacking hardware, but I am new to the Wiz and the ARM architecture, so I have a lot to learn. From what I understand there are already either built-in or ported and available drivers for USB mass storage and some USB wireless receivers. I'm not sure about the bluetooth receiver or the 360 receiver, but I figure that's doable, since they do have Linux support.