The Portable Linux Based GP2X is Here

An anonymous reader writes "Today sees the opening of the Official GP2X Site where you can see the new console from Gamepark.com, who last brought you the GP32 a fantastic console for homebrew developers. This console is a major step up with Dual 200Mhz cpus and is basically a Portable Linux handheld that can easily do ports like Quake, Doom and Emulators like Mame. Its Open Source SDK gives all amateur and commercial Developers the ablity to release software on a brand new console like the old Amiga/Commodore 64 days. More screenshots of the GP2X can be found at GP2x news."

Comments

Battery Life

[Jeffv323]

With two processors and a screen as big as it is, how long will 2 AA's last I wonder?

I think it would be fantastic to see this take off, perhaps it could jumpstart open source games. (yeah yeah insert comment about Tuxracer)

Awesome

[rm999]

Wow, this looks really cool. I especially like the AA batteries. I have about 10 rechargeable AAs and could easily pack them with me on vacation and keep this thing going for a long time. Not something you can do with proprieatary batteries

Re:Awesome

[bufalo_1973]

Think about going to a place where there is no power plug (remember: cities don't cover the whole Earth), maybe for a weekend. With 4-8 hours each pair, taking 8 batteries lasts until you come back home. And more important: what if you have your console running well in 2015? If it uses AA batteries you can buy other pack and play. If it runs with a propietary battery you are out of luck.

Re:So what?

[mike_sucks]

Your cellphone runs Linux? It comes with a free SDK so you can make your own games? It has a SD slot and USB? It has a 3.5" screen?

Re:Harddrive?

[tpgp]

Now that harddrives are becoming so small and the price isn't that bad, I reckon they are really limiting their device by just supporting SD, especially when they try and flog it off as a portable movie player. I'm sure if they stuck in 20gb hdd and had to add a tiny bit onto the overall width people wouldnt moan and you'd probabaly get more sales out of it

1) HDDs have moving parts and are prone to failure in portable devices.
2) HDDs have moving parts requiring more power - a nono in a portable device.
3) SD == expandable - need more storage? Buy another card. You will be able to buy a 4Gig SD card next year for next to nothing.

Frankly, I think the lack of a HDD is a good thing - I would kill for a mp3 player with a CF slot....

Re:And I thought the PSP was cool...

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, you better tell any kid running the PSP 2.x firmware (which is the default in Europe now) who tries the homebrew stuff in vain...

Face it - the PSP is not open and never will be. Sony is out to keep the PSP a closed system, they will do so by forcing updates.

Re:It's a scam

[advocate_one]

well whoever makes them... I want one... I was going to get an Ipod for Xmas and stick Linux on it, but this beastie is far more usefull and cooler than an iPod... iPods.. every Tom, Dick and Harry's got one... far too common...

Re:Not enough

[Haeleth]

Its lack of 3D hardware is another nail in its coffin. Can it compare with PSP in gaming? No at all.

Bear in mind what a lot of people are saying about the PSP: "Okay, there's no games on it apart from half a dozen identical racers, but it's really cool for running homebrew software! I hope I don't have to upgrade to firmware 1.50 and break all my emulators!"

This GP2X? It's half the price of a PSP, and while it doesn't have the racing games, it does have the cast-iron guarantee that the company that makes it is not doing everything it can to destroy your homebrew experience and prevent you using your hardware to do whatever you like - unlike Sony, who tighten their grip on their platform with every revision.

Can it compare with PSP in eye-candy? Not at all, not even close. Can it compare with PSP in emulation and homebrews? Well, let's see - it's half the price, it runs Linux, and it's explicitly marketed at the homebrew scene. Hmm, I wonder.

So maybe it's not your thing. That doesn't mean it's crap, you know?

Come on guys

[Anonymous Coward]

All of you folks (myself included) that push for open standards and open hardware need to put our money where our mouths are.

Bonus 1 - the device runs linux

Bonus 2 - the architecture is open

Bonus 3 - the creators say they won't ruin homebrew

What if we code games/apps for this in a platform portable way? That could mean a bunch of new games (albeit old-style, but what's wrong with that?) for Linux.

Re:This does not make any business sense

[arevos]

This system seems more aimed at a niche market, so they're not directly competing with the PSP. Also, it appears that their previous product, the GP32 was profitable enough.

Personally, I'm more interested in this console than a PSP. An affordable handhold Linux system with USB and twin 200MHz processors does sound tempting. Shouldn't be too hard to get a terminal on this thing, and the USB connection opens up the possibility of buying a small keyboard for it.

Re:Not enough

[KillShill]

calling it "homebrew" does a disservice to people who try to own their own property.

it's called Arbitrary Code Execution.

you wouldn't call programs written by non-corporate people as "homebrew", would you?

they're all just programs but full access to those devices are willfully denied to you, the true owner of the product. using legal and technical means to remove property rights is immoral and unethical.

if you want to rent devices, then call it renting and treat it accordingly. but if you sell something then after the fact prevent full access to it, that by definition is stealing. it should be illegal to engage in this disgusting business practice if it weren't for those meddling lobbyists and their pet congresscritters.