Slashdot Mirror
GP2X Surpasses Expectations
Harry Trotter writes "Gameparks GP2X Linux Based Console had a lot to live up to with Some amusing boasts from Gamepark, but it has lived up to its pre-billing rather well with great ports of commercial games and emulators such as Mame, Vice (Commodore 64), NeoGeo CD, Duke Nukem 3D, ScummVM and another 150 more releases so far, all of which can be followed at GP2X News & GP32 Xtreme. The Open Source Development of this console has ensured a following that will keep the console alive for years to come."
I'm sure this is a slashvertisement, but this is a very cool device. I hope that they can profit where other gaming manufacturers don't: from the hardware itself. Not placing a financial income take in future sales of games is sort of odd, but it makes sense that someone has to try it. Doing so in an OSS sort of way is REALLY bizarre from a competitiveness perspective.
:) It keeps trying to install the Korean fonts, so I guess they might have an excuse. Bad Engrish is acceptable in some situations. (Do not click this link if you need to be silent in a cubicle, FWIW.)
I'll buy one or a dozen of them just as a show of faith. Many of my friends with kids could use an introduction into the great games of my time -- if only someone would make Mattel's Utopia, then I'd be happy.
A few questions that I didn't see on the site:
1. Is it Mac compatible? I assume it is just a basic Mass Storage device on the USB chain.
2. Does anyone have a link to the actual technical specs? I can't find anything on that site about the tech specs, other than the ARM processors.
3. How bright is the screen and how do they get 10 hours out of 2 AA batteries?
4. What is the estimated profit margin per unit? Is the price enough to keep them solvent AND address tech support concerns?
5. Is 320x240 enough? I'm an Action Quake 2 addict, but not sure I can play on 320x240.
6. Can they hire a grammar and spell checker?
7. Does anyone want to go in with me to pick up about 100 of these so we can save shipping and make a few bucks on our friends?
I'm pretty happy with the HP iPAQ I received for Christmas, but I'd love to screw around with this thing. Great, another freaking device I'll need a pocket for. I still can't see how they'll be able to fix bad units and support their customers merely on profit from the console sale, but if its built properly and an open source support community props up around it, anything's possible.
A friend bought one of these, and borrowed it for a couple of days. You get something like three hours when you watch movies (DIVX), and the thing looks like it skips some frames. Don't really know, but it's looks like that. Also, the emulators are very unfinished. SNES lacks sounds, many lack good interfaces. Some readme's are in Korean, and you need to install some kind SDL libs for some emulators. Didn't say that in the docs. Or is my Korean that bad? ;) Still waiting for hardware accelerated SDL to surface.
I'd love to buy one, but currently the machine is lacking software. Very badly. Give it software and I'll buy one asap!
I have a friend who did something similar to this with a computer. (Bought a few cheaper consoles like Sega Saturn as well) - wanted to be able to play any game from any console. I don't think he got them all, but it's cool that now someone's marketing it all in one package.
I'm sorry. The number you have reached is imaginary. Please rotate your phone 90 degrees and try again.
But does it play Duke Nukem Forever?
Now THAT would make it an amazing console.
http://www.TheGamerNation.com/Forums
Um... rechargeable AAs?
WeRelate.org - wiki-based genealogy
Yeah, I must be a conspiracy of 15 posters with the intent to control slashdot and purge the world of truth, right?
Or maybe I am who I say I am, and have been lucky enough to be able to read and post in between my daily projects from my wireless EDGE networked PDA? Hmm... As for first posting, when you're a PDA user and a slashdot subscriber, you do get a little bit of a lead on getting your first thoughts out. That is what moderation is for -- if my post isn't valid, it gets moderated to -1 quickly. Ever see the GNAA first posts?
Come visit me in Chicago sometime and hang out, I'll be happy to show you around.
Here is what get from their home page.
//global.asa, line 72
Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server error '80040e31'
½Ã£ Á¦ÇÑÀÌ áǾú½ÀÏÙ.
WTF???
evil is as evil does
A pair of alkaline AA cells gives 3.0 volts. A pair of NiCd or NiMH AA cells gives 2.4 volts. Too many devices are not very tolerant of 2.4 volt power. What make and model of rechargeable AA batteries would you recommend for the GP2X?
as gp32 (and future gp2x) owner, i'll just state some things (hoping they won't be discussed/used as slander)
:)
:) :)
-the current units are poor (both soft and hardware): hardware is pretty much okay, i think they had to fix 1 thing after their first shipment (poorly soldered audio jack), software is still in development, consider the current units more like devkits and units for the true fanatics, the software will improove
-a lot of the current problems are due to this...:
*low battery life: clockspeed is higher than default atm, so it requires very good batteries (2300mah+, rechargable ofcourse, 4hour life to be expected), how this will improove, nobody knows
*bricking units: firmware is early, and flashing can go wrong, will improove, and if you're careful, you won't suffer from it
*video playback is not what it's said to be (little formats supported): the will iproove with newer firmwares, if all promises will be made, noone knows, lets hope for the best
*poor joystick: dunno, have heard some complaints about it, haven't had one in my hands yet, the same was said about the gp32, but i adore it's joystick, the gp2x joystick however is completely different
*memory cards support: will improove with firmwares
similar with most other problems you can think of
about software support i'm sure you can expect a lot from the gp32/2x community, just don't expect to buy it now and get a fully functional super emu machine in your hands, most emus are alpha stage, unstable and slow, pretty normal for a handheld that's not even really released yet, more like devkits atm... and only available for nearly 2 months or so...
take a look at the gp32 progs, (www.gp32x.de is the gp32 filearchive), and in a year or two you'll may expect similar things for the gp2x, with better emus for snes and better systems (we hope thigns like gba, amiga, psx, although those are the limits of the handheld)
NiMH batteries suck. I want a real Li-Poly (or at least Li-Ion) battery. This is hardly too much to ask, since the GBA SP, DS, PSP, PDAs, MP3 players, and just about every other portable electronic device these days have them.
Don't think of it as a flame---it's more like an argument that does 3d6 fire damage
You cant be serious. These games have all been done, and probably done better before, and are history for most people. There is _nothing_ to live up to when you produce a cheap copy of old technology because expectations have already moved way beyond your implemention.
Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
What truth?
There is no dupe
AA batteries have the distinction of being available at just about any airport, train station, and drug-store anywhere. In general you don't need to "carry around" the batteries if you don't want.
In contrast, dedicated Lithium cells requiring a special charger and a wall outlet is definitely a drawback when your game runs out of juice.
P.S. I still much prefer the original gameboy advance design because of the easily replaced standard 'AA' size batteries. I'd have bought the GBA-SP, but the lack of standard batteries and lack of standard headphone port precludes me from getting one.
{ - Generic Guy - }
Just a fair warning for anyone thinking about buying one. I've got one, and it's a great device, but it sucks up batteries like nothing else. The day I got mine, I put in the set of batteries that came with it, and they lasted me less than 2 hours. I threw some brand new duracell batteries in, those lasted about an hour and a half as well. I ended up buying some 2500mah recharagable batteries the day after I got the device, because it really does need them. With those I get battery life around 4 hours, which includes the fact that I'm turning it on and off every 5 minutes or so to test a game I've been trying to port. The popular import store Lik-Sang isn't selling them at this point because of minor issues like that. (That, and it's fairly easy to brick them upgrading the firmware) So if you're thinking of getting one, be prepared with good batteries or an AC adapter. :-)
Just because a few people still develop and play with an outdated, old, and rather crappy system doesn't mean that the system is doing well, successful, popular, or even mentioned at all in the future. Sure, the system will be alive by a few teenagers with far too much time on their hands and a little monkey coding in their blood, but does that mean it's worth it or even matters?
Do you own a XBox360?
Not yet, but it should be fairly easy for an SDL-based one to get ported. It all depends on whether or not someone wants to do it.
This poo is cold.
Actually, I gain a LOT of knowledge from the questions I ask -- and the debates I sometimes have started. In the last few days I've tried a LOT harder not to flamebait (as is evident in my recent posts). My life revolves around information. I think many of the geeks here can agree with that.
I don't care about karma, I wish I could just turn it off entirely and be done with it. I do have questions, though, and I don't think its so wrong to ask them. My PDA is always connected, and when a new slashdot article comes up, (being a subscriber) I always get notice of it before non-subscribers. It also gives me a chance to write up my thoughts and get a post in so I can go back to my work. After a little while I hit the comments page again and look at what other people are saying (and to see if my questions were answered).
If you don't like my posts, just Foe me and do a -5 on all foes, and I'll disappear. Until then, I don't see why I have any less value to the topics at hand, especially if I help answer other people's questions, or help other people form new questions about a topic.
...I agree. This system is pathetic compared to the PSP or even the Nintendo DS, games and hardware wise. It's impressive for some no-name developer to develop out of the blue, but I have a hard time seeing this thing competing with any other current portable system. It's a hobbyist's toy, nothing more.
NiMH batteries suck.
Care to elaborate? We're not talking about general purpose use here, we're talking about in this device, so when you answer, please be sure to mention how they suck for this particular purpose.
Regardless, in general I've found that it's the chargers that typically suck, not the batteries. If you have a good charger all you need to worry about is the few devices made these days that can't deal with the lower voltage. Chances are that every non-voltage issue you have with NiMH batteries is caused by a crappy charger.
Just because a few people still develop and play with an outdated, old, and rather crappy system
How funny. Yesterday a cousin of mine was playing "Super Mario Bros" on his GBA.
If it had GPS built-in that was programable I'd buy a bunch and write some custom programs for it. Maybe in the next version or as an add-on.
At what price learning? At what cost wisdom? The price is a man's peace of mind, and the cost is his life.
Actually, I gain a LOT of knowledge from the questions I ask
/. aren't exactly specialists on what they're discussing. When a field that I am knowledgeable in has an article posted, I often notice that it is the folks who know the least are the ones modded the highest.
Be careful on that one. Most of the posters on
Its a really inspiring device, I'm going to make my first proper console game on this. I cant wait!!
I agree with you 100%. You'd also be surprised as to how many experts READ slashdot to gain some insight into what the market wants or needs. Two of my customers design System-on-a-chip devices, and I know they read up on Slashdot often to see what bugs the geeks the most.
Just because it isn't expert advice, doesn't mean that it isn't good advice that I can u se in my future. When you're in the IT business it is VERY important to also have your ear open to what others are saying. That being said, I think I am one of the few people who will admit that slashdot helps me make a profit with my productive time.
Nifty. I think that most of my associates have a more jaded view of Slashdot, though, they all admit to reading it.
I keep my friends close (+5) and my foes as close (+5) as them.
I've a GameBoy Advance SP, and it comes with a little dongle you can plug standard headphones into - at least, the one I bought did (it came with a few accessories and games [Rampage, Paperboy, Risk, Battleship and some others, if I remember right]).
Since I can't tell them apart, I treat all ACs as the same person.
The Open Source Development of this console has ensured a following that will keep the console alive for years to come."
Alive in the same way that the Dreamcast or Amiga remains alive?
resigned
Yet I post with my real name and my real history. I guess this is why I am a fan of an open market moderation system for past relationships (business and otherwise). Not that it really matters on slashdot.
I've admitted to being a business owner in only 3 markets: IT, aggressive sporting retail and (possibly) gold advice. Never more. How hard is it to see that most of the topics that come up on slashdot have to do with one of these three markets of mine? If something comes up dealing with IT (on slashdot? never) I'll make a comment or reply to a comment. If something comes up regarding dotcom retail, I'll comment from a brick and mortar perspective. If something comes up regarding financial stakes, I'll make a comment about it if I have something insightful to say.
My history is out on the web -- my home address, my business address, even my cell phone number. You can call me a liar, but I welcome -- with open arms -- anyone who visits Chicago to look me up and get a beer. I've met some great people on slashdot, I've even gain a customer or two out of the site. Why is it wrong for me to comment, the mods take care of my posts which are flamebait or trolls (and yes, I have had a few of those recently when I let emotion get the best of me).
Ah, come off it. Sometimes it's myself, sometimes it's TripMasterMonkey, and sometimes it's dada21. It all depends on who's got extra time on his hands and something insightful to say. Since you obviously have nothing insightful to say, sir, may I recommend you keep your mouth closed until such a time arrives that you do?
:-)
P.S. To Dada21: Just so happens I'm in Chicago. Perhaps I'll bump into you sometime.
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
Unfortunately my N-Gage seems to be going that way. I like it a lot but they marketed it so poorly that it seems to be a dead end. Overall the QD is a great product. Adding a digital camera and making it easier to use as an MP3 player would go a long way towards making it perfect. Making a deal with Sony to merge the PSP with N-Gage's phone features would be cool.
I think an opensource handheld has a lot of posibilities. Gaming, phone, camera, PDA, GPS, etc. These are standard enough functions that within a few generations of product opensource could really develop something nice. No need to wait ten years for big companies to catch up with our needs and wants - we can just do what we want with it. How many of us didn't think of adding games, web, email, camera, music player, etc to our phone years before such features were actually available? With a working base we could be really creative. GP2X could be a good starting point. It'd be smart for console and phone developers to fund such a project as it'd be a breeding ground for new concepts at little cost to themselves with little chance of it creating much real competition to them.
At what price learning? At what cost wisdom? The price is a man's peace of mind, and the cost is his life.
The term you want is anti-aliasing. It takes sharp edges and makes them smooth.
Specifically, sub-pixel AA that takes into account the fact that the red, green, and blue planes on a typical LCD are offset by a fraction of a pixel from one another.
And I find it doubtful you'll be doing it in real time on a puny little ARM processor running at a few hundred MHz, with no 3D acceleration.
Make that two ARM processors, and they're not nearly as puny as the GBA's processor.
The anti-aliasing only helps the edges, which you're unlikely to notice while the game is in play.
People who demand high resolution tend to want it for sniping, which involves discerning small objects at a great distance. At such distances, edges are almost everything.
"I'd have bought the GBA-SP, but the lack of standard batteries and lack of standard headphone port precludes me from getting one."
The Nintendo DS and the Game Boy Micro both play GBA games and have a standard headphone port (though you can still use the SP headphone dongle on the DS if you really want).
However, you'll need a new link cable for the Micro (much as you did when the Game Boy Pocket came out) and the DS doesn't support GBA linking at all.
The MSX is pure classic, indeed...
;)
Konami started its carreer developing (fantastic) games for the MSX computers back in the 80s.
Here in Brazil these computers virtually killed all the CoCos, Apples, and Spectrums..
For that reason, in this country 8-bit emulation means necessarilly emulating a MSX, other computers are fully optional.
I currently get about 3-4 hours play time on 2100mah batts. But this is a short term issue due to: 1) The cpus are both going at full processor speed. They should turn off or throttle down when not in use. 2) TV out is also always running and using up power. These are firmware issues, and they claim sometime in Jan the 5th firmware upgrade will be out.
SearchIRC - Now with live chat directory!
I find it interesting that the GP2X has a native port of VICE already, whereas OS X is still shackled by a version that runs extremely poorly through X11 and ESD.
Shame, used to be my favourite emulator too. Might take a look at porting it properly in my Copious Free Time - hopefully the speed with which it was ported to the GP2X indicates that it's easier than the VICE team claim to port.
Not to mention the cost. It takes some big money to get a LiPoly pac and charger certified. This is a small market item .
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
I was given a GP2X for Christmas so I've not had too much time to use it. There are certain flaws which are evident though.
1. The LCD screen has a problem with refresh rates as it appears to be interlaced. This apparently can be tweaked by running some third party utilities which adjust the clock speed of the CPU and the LCD timing but it isn't perfect. You either get a washed out screen or a flickery interlaced screen. Alledgely a future firmware upgrade will fix it...
2. The unit is very plasticy and poorly finished. The edges around the shoulder buttons are quite sharp.
3. It is very easy to brick the unit as the firmware upgrade system is very unreliable. The safest way appears to be using a third party utility.
4. How it appears as a USB device is odd. It tells the computer that is a HD instead of a removable disk. This means that your PC expects the SD card to be formatted with a partition table.
5. The unit is quite fat. They never show you a side profile view or the back for a reason and that is because there is a lump where you put the 2xAAs.
I've tried the Megadrive/Genesis and SNES emulators so far and they both work quite well apart from the lack of sound in the SNES emulator. Playing DiVX files also works but I've had some problems where it crashes and required you to turn the unit on and off. Both of these problems should be fixable with new firmware.
Basically, if you want a games console then buy a DS or a PSP. If you want to run your own stuff or that the idea of a games console running Linux appeals then get a GP2X.
I am sure that the hardware of the device is great and could easily kick nintendo's butt and probably psp too. However, linux is highly experimental by nature and the programs that this device relies on have a lot to be desired from. Linux's weakes side is gaming and that's a fact. Several years back I bought into the whole Zaurus - linux pda thing and I can tell you tha the openes of an OS does not mean that the device will get support for a long time. As some of you know Zaurus is pretty much dead outside Japan. Yes there is OpenZaurus and other projects but even those do not really like to support older hardware. ( and Zaurus has a relativelly large userbase compared to this device ) I hope I am wrong but I think that a linux gaming device is doomed for failure. It seems like there isn't any strong corporate support or community support for the device and the platform and I am very reluctant spending close to $200 on a device like that. After all when I play games the last thing that I want to do it troubleshoot software problems or debug poor code. This is where Nintendo and PSP are way ahead and after all ( judging from PS2 vs. Xbox ) software matters a lot more than hardware when it comes to gaming. Oh, and I still use my zaurus though it has some problems syncing with my pc.
I own one and i can give my opinion (and some facts) about it.
:)
Some things good and some things bad about it:
Bad:
- Heavy interlaced screen (can be fixed by software: i added it to the profile script and now its OK)
- Long startup time, about 20 secs (think it have lo load a linux kernel)
- Troubles reading some SD cards (erratic, will be improved in next firmwares)
- Analog like feeling joystick (i prefer the less hard to move joystick of the GP32, but this seems more durable)
- Low battery life (hope with dynamic clock increase/decrease will improve this). Note: You can, for example, play perfectly some videos and games at half clockspeed.
Good:
- Good comunity (every day there are one or more releases of home made software)
- Linux based (easy software porting, easily scriptable/configurable)
- Great desing and low weight than i expected (even with batteries)
- Ability to easily develop for it
Emulation status:
- Play perfectly Megadrive/Genesis games, NeoGeoPocket, NES, Sega Mastersystem, GB and GB Color.
- Play 904 MAME Games (0.34 version), some NeoGeoCD games, SNES
- See some Gameboy advance and PSX games loading, but unplayable
Keep in mind that most of this emulators are near direct portings and none of them (as far as i know) use the second processor. Due the machine power we can expect to play perfectly GBA games in mid term. It is just a mather of time
Regards,
Ego
That's not a standard accessory. It normally only comes with an AC adaptor.
Who's thinking this things are going to die? I have a friend who still plays at his atari... You never know!!! Ser www.salvaneschi.com.ar
NiMH leak too fast. I've got a digicam, and it's always flat whenever I want to take any pictures.
N ICDBATTERY_024
The self discharge current is way high - 3 to 10 times NiCd.
http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_NiCd_Battery.html#
Mind you, you can always keep a spare set in the fridge, the discharge is slower at low temp.
echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
I know it's going to have its problems... I have the Nokia 770, love it, checks e-mail, IM, web everything I want in the palm of my hand. It has bugs sure, but do I care? Nahh.. it's not that bad.
I just bought the GP2x because I want as many of my old classic Sega/NES/SNES games in my hand, with the D-PAD and those buttons it's made for this... This device was meant to be a game machine first, and a multimedia machine second. It doesnt even have wireless of any kind!
As long as I get my Sonic the Hedgehog, my LucasArts games, and my Mame in my hand.. It's worth the 299.99.
After 4 years, the development can die, as long as I have my hardware and my Sonic, it won't matter much.
outdated? it's using the latest non-specialty hardware for it's price range. old? it just came out. rather crappy? how so? if you're talking about the problems it has, all it takes is a simple firmware update to fix it up. i've dropped mine a couple of times and it runs great, so it can't be the build quality. it runs correctly and as i expect it to, so it can't be the software. where's the crap factor? do you even own one? better think before making such rash remarks =] the point of the gp2x was to never be successful or popular on a global scale. but for something that has had no corporate advertisement or promotion it's doing pretty good. does it matter? well that depends if 1000's of retro games, new homebrew games, wide-range movie playback, mp3/ogg playback, picture viewing, and textbook reading matter to you.
I invite those who are interested to check out the GP2X wiki. It has a lot of good resources. Also, please visit us on EFNet at #gp2x and #gp2xdev. The more the merrier!
I've done some research into the device, the current firmware has a bug that causes all the processors to run at max speed even when not in use, this causes the rapid battery drain, it is fixable with a simple update.
I considered buying one of these for $180. Instead I paid $380 for my Zaurus C1000 (shipped from Japan).
Ignoring the non-gaming aspects of it... with the Z I get the following for emulation:
full keyboard
better emulation (snes9x runs at full speed, for example)
compact flash
CPU which is twice as fast (and can be overclocked to be 3x as fast)
VGA resolution.
This, when combined with the PDA and pocket workstation type functionality made the choice a no-brainer.
I personally can't wait, I know there are little issues to be worked out, but it'ss get better with time just like the original unit.
Ubuntu- Linux for human beings.
If it had a touch screen ala the DS, it could emulate the mouse, and suddenly you could play Starcraft via WINE on a handheld (/very wishfull thinking).
I'd buy one then.
http://wiki.gp2x.org/wiki/Linux
Drawbacks of Linux on the GP2X
* Does not expose the full power of the hardware - Linux does not see the second processor or the upper 32MB of memory.
Huh?
If I were their marketing department, I'd fling a couple of these things among kernel developers.
Umm, call me crazy but doesn't the fact that the vast majority of the games on the platform seem to be provided through emulation throw the entire legal state of this console into question? Does this thing come with lots of ROMS pre-loaded? Apparently not (from reading their website). Nor do they seem to offer any way to download ROMS through their website? So I'm assuming the only way to get the ROMS is through the usual sources (piracy).
/. hacker crowd capable of doing this, this is hardly practical for kids (as suggested by some posters) or the general public.
How practical is this for consumers? "Sure, it can play zillions of games but you have to download them from warez sites." So while this might hold some interest for the
Oh yeah, old technology like the video IPod, the closest non-free competitor. What exactly are you talking about? Can you point to a device that plays all the video and music formats this does AND does games and fits in your pocket? I don't think so.
Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.
Netcraft says they don't touch that M$ stuff, and it looks fine from here. Talk to your network administrator or ISP about what you see.
Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.
Seems great... just needs wifi, a browser, email and chat client and then it would be set.
Fast Federal Court and I.T.C. updates
I appreciate your posts. Personally I never post here because 9 times out of 10 some jackass replies AC with an insult. Plus nobody likes my views on Linux for mainstream use.
Reviews with a twist! http://www.sardonicbastard.com
I've never had this problem. Mind you, my NiMH batteries are never lying around unused long enough, and I've found the battery life to be looong.
As for the topic of this thread, I myself always tend towards devices which take AA's or AAA's. I always have some on me anyway.
"Live as if you'll die tomorrow." Ridiculous. You could die later today.
The GP2X looks mostly like the Tapwave Zodiac, except it runs Linux instead of Palm OS.
As a Zodiac owner, though, I have to say that running old NES/SNES/etc. emulators on it isn't such a great experience; I'd much prefer a digital four-way directional pad over an analog joystick. I don't imagine the GP2X experience would be much better.
Just say no to DRM. Boycott Sony and yes that means the PS3!
And what, give Microsoft (I say that again: Microsoft) a virtual monopoly on the games console market?
Bathwater, meet baby.
"Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
OK, then use Li-Poly or Li-Ion. That is the beauty of a simple 2xAA bay, you can use whatever you want. Disposables for maximum run time, NiMH for cheap rechargable, LiPo for the best of both worlds.
certiwhat? ive built and purchased radioshack-brewed lipoly chargers, and garage-assembled lipo cells.
The device does have tv-out capability. We're currently waiting for the cables to become available.
Reality is defined by the maddest person in the room
1) Add a Compact Flash port
2) Enable the CF port to use wireless lan cf cards
3) Ditch 2nd cpu and replace with touch screen
4) Provide some PDA apps (email client, browser, diary, address book, notepad, pdf reader) - I know most of these can probably be ported from their Linux equiv's but would be nice to have out of the box.
--- Users are like bacteria -> Each one causing a thousand tiny crises until the host finally gives up and dies.
Of course, GP2X has no chance to get to steal the market from PSP and Nintendo DS, but it is something perfect for me: I can play old games (MAME, Sega Megadrive/Atari/Gameboy emulators etc), I can code myself (natively in C but also in Python, although it works pretty slow yet), I can listen to the MP3s/OGGs and view videos. There is thriving community of similar people, who code some nice stuff on it... GP2X is out for 2 months and there is tons of stuff availabel already. Like someone said, it is almost a protoype and it is not perfect but I predict it will work great in less than a year.
I realize many people here have been gaming for a couple of decades now and know exactly what's going on, but some of us either were never into consoles or just couldn't afford (or weren't allowed) to go out and buy a new console and a dozen new games every year for the last 20 years. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is completely out of the loop in this respect. So here's the stupid question from the ignorant side of the fence:
Are there any actual GAMES on this thing when you buy it? Or is it just emulators and you have to actually own any particular game you want to play, and have the hardware and knowledge to get it copied from whatever cartridge or disc it's on and onto this device in order to run it in the correct emulator? (Or *cough*pirate*cough* the ROMs from somewhere for games like NES, I assume.)
If it's the latter, how difficult is it to get the games off the various devices? Don't you need special hardware for some of this stuff? That is, if you want to do it the legal way.
What's the skinny?
Someone forgot to mention the PSX emulator
If you have a really good charger you can float your NiMH batteries essentially forever. If you have good batteries they won't discharge much faster than the crappy LiIon cells you'll find in kid-grade devices. My PSP battery, for example, will be most of the way empty in the the time that it takes to compeletely drain some good quality NiMH AAs (about a month).
Only one of those two options lets you carry a spare set of alkaline AAs for when your unexpectedly run out of charge.
You are not selling them. Things change when you sell and ship items.
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
I loved being able to carry a few extra AAs for the GBA - and thus being sure I wouldn't run out of juice on a long flight. I use mostly rechargeable AAs; they aren't perfect, but are cheap and easy to replace. And if they run out, regular AAs are cheap and universally available.
While I realize good Li batteries are more specialized, I'd love to see a "standard Li format" arise. That way I wouldn't be so disappointed when I learn my new electronic device has an expensive, hard-to-replace, will-barely-get-me-off-the-runway "built-in-rechargeable".
Let's not stir that bag of worms...
Dude! Rechargable NiMH AAs! I haven't used disposable AA's in years.
In what way? Who is this certifying body you refer to? I have sold lipo chargers as well.
UL and CE certifications. Also if you ship Lithium batteries you are supposed to get them certified for transport.
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
and i get 3 to 4 hours of use out of it, depending on what i'm doing with it .. more than ample time to charge sets, take a break, keep playing/using. and i've got no problems with AA's .. at least this way, if you need to, you can pick up AA's and keep playing for a few hours while you wait for a re-load at the household socket, where it belongs.
.. you -don't- want that, because its a portable device ...
i.e. built-in rechargeables would tether you to the thing while it charges, duh
anyway, i love mine, ordered a few more for gifts, they're just a too great little device for the price.
; -- the corruption of government starts with its secrets. a truly free people keep no secrets. --