1 mo. ago • 97%

Kickstarter for an open source raspberry pi portable computer

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/soulscircuit/pilet-opensource-modular-portable-mini-computer?

Something I would definitely not have a need for, but it looks pretty cool. They various types of configurations.

42 comments

Looks like the DevTerm, uConsole line from clockwork pi. Love to see more retro-future designs like this!

26
- Yep, I have a uConsole. I've used it for playing text adventure games on flights. It has a Pi CM4 and a couple large Li-ion batteries, but it only lasts about 4 hours or so before it needs to be charged. A little silly.
  
  5
This is what computers were supposed to look like when i was young.

16
- Honestly, I don't know how old you are but I am 29 and as someone who loves modern tech I have fallen in love with old retro tech colors and designs as well.
  
  I recently have been modifying old gaming hardware like my GameCube and buying things like Gamboys and Nintendo DS:s and even modern takes on old hardware like the Analogue Pocket.
  
  I absolutely love the way these look in this image.
  
  10
  
  I'm old enough that computers in private homes were science fiction when I was young.
  
  5
Everybody is like "Ooooh it runs blender". It's kickstarter my dudes, these are promo renders. There is basically no information on the linked page other than "launching soon" (as in the kickstarter campaign is launching soon). So they probably haven't yet gotten anything to run on this (so we know nothing about the UI /OS if they modified anythinf / plan to do so, or basically anything at all...)

15
- https://soulscircuit.com/pilet
  
  Their own website has a bit more info, including a demo video of it running debian. The primary focus of the project is the hardware itself, but the rasberry pi base means that there is a giant pool of available software already out there.
  
  16
  
  Ok that looks kind of dope. I was curious about the battery life. Now I'm curious about its future price.
  
  1
- I mean. The RPI runs a fork of debian, and can definitely launch blender. It can't run it well and good luck using blender without a mouse, but i have 0 doubts that this thing can open a blender window.
  
  4
- They have an instagram account for conversations. This version only lasts 7hrs. I don’t think they are trying to revolutionize the world with this. You can see some of their other versions running. And since it’s open source I assume you can do whatever you want to it.
  
  https://www.instagram.com/soulscircuit?igsh=NGgxc3NhcXFpZGRt
  
  2
Last time I saw a similar project, it needed about 10 oz. of batteries for a similar runtime. The Raspberry Pi is a power hog.

13
Would be awesome for a HomeAssistant kiosk

12
- That’s not a bad idea actually. I’m trying to think of excused to get one.
  
  4
Looks like something you'd see in a retro post apocalyptic setting.

9
Looks painful to use. Thank god laptops were invented.

8
- Another hesitation of my finding this useful. I assume you’ll be able to pair it with a mouse, but it would also potentially defeat the whole esthetic.
  
  1
  
  Ok but there is a reason this aesthetic doesn’t exist anymore.
  
  This design is uncomfortable to use at best.
  
  It also looks bad to most people. But the worst part about it is the discomfort from using such a design. It’s why separate keyboard and mice have been invented.
  
  Something like this might be good for answering an email or two or sending a text message. But typing with your thumbs is slow and error prone. It’s bad design for a computer.
  
  3
Raspberry Pi isn't an open-source device, unless they're somehow doing without the closed firmware and Broadcom chip.

8
- Then I stand corrected. Just following what the kickstarter says.
  
  5
- The term "open-source" is ambiguous, and it wouldn't be entirely incorrect to say that this device is open-source since there is code within it that is indeed open. However, it is more appropriate to use the term libre software when discussing user freedom.
  
  In this context, I would prefer to use the term non-free instead of open-source, since this device does in fact contain closed-source firmware.
  
  2
Can you add this image: https://files.catbox.moe/ynf4kt.jpeg in post.

8
- Updated!
  
  6
  
  Thanks
  
  5
I hope they include a magnifying glass so I can read it. Where are all the mobile-first touch friendly UIs on devices like these? I know of only one that tried to do it right, the CutiePi. Everyone else just ships plain old desktop Linux and it's not a great experience on a small screen.

7
- Oh, you actually want to use it?
  
  I thought stuff like this was only meant for YouTubers to put in their backgrounds while they talk about 3D printers.
  
  19
  
  Display art was also my assumption, clocks, plays lists, posters, etc. Most people I know would get one of their other versions so they can turn it into a retro game machine that has the direction pad.
  
  1
I’d have no use for this but it looks super neat

6
I love that it's running blender lol

6
They would need to create some software for it as well. Otherwise it's just a small hard to use computer. If the UI is actually adapted to be usable in this form factor, it would be an amazing product.

I would love to have a new form factor to shake things up. Something small and portable, but without being just a touch screen, devolving into basically a tablet or phone. Something that uses actual physical buttons to do stuff.

Excited to see what they want to do. If it's just plans to put off the shelf components into a 3D printer case I would be disappointed. There's plenty of designs for that already and people make their own all the time. But if they take it to the next level, yeah that's worth funding for sure.

4
- https://soulscircuit.com/pilet
  
  there are going to be accessories like a keyboard, etc., so it should quite adapable in that regard.
  
  4
- It looks like they have Blender running on it already.
  
  1
  
  ecactly. blender is not suited for this form factor. It's pretty much useless
  
  5
I love this, I would instantly back it asap

4
The one on the left looks pretty cool.

4
Seems similar to https://www.clockworkpi.com/

1
- This does look very similar. For some reason this is giving me more of a black berry esthetic vibe.
  
  2
Looks cute, but the trackball is a pain to use (as it is in the DevTerm).

1

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