Pyra ?

The DragonBox Pyra is an upcoming Linux-based Handheld Computer with Gaming Controls and a Full Keyboard, and it is planned to be a successor of the Open Pandora. It was first shown as a very early prototype at the FOSDEM 2014 in Brussels. Its release date is unknown at this stage, while early 2016 (Q1 or Q2) is assumed to be a reasonable estimation (updated in October 2015). Prototypes will be available in November 2015 for developers. Here is a render below of the most likely final case design (July 2015) – Render by Erico from the boards in October 2015 :

pyra-render2

And a black Pyra render (made by Erico from the boards):

pyra-render

 

Specs:

  • SOC will be a TI OMAP5432. 2x Cortex A15 (up to 1.7Ghz each), 2x Cortex M4 CPU, PowerVR SGX544-MP2, Vivante GC320 2D Accelerator, DSP, Neon.
  • RAM: 2Gb, already confirmed. Units with larger memory down the road may be possible as well.
  • Display: the LCD is still in discussion currently. It was planned to be sourced from from LG in the first place, and to be a 5 inches Full HD display (response time 20ms, same as the one used for the Google Nexus 5), but it was found to only work properly in portrait mode. A new display is being investigated and the current options for landscape modes are in 720p. Motion Controls are also expected to be included (while not completely confirmed at this stage).
  • Gaming Controls: the new nubs will be using magnets to be more durable than the existing ones. Count on a Dpad, and there will be 4 shoulder buttons (L1, R1, L2, R2) on top of 6 face buttons, and a power button with a RGB LED. By the way, the nubs may also act as push buttons (not confirmed).
  • Battery: expected to be at least the same as the existing Pandora’s (4000 mA), while the battery cover will be redesigned. There are discussions to include a larger battery as well (6000 mA) if space allows, while still retaining compatibility with previous Pandora batteries.
  • Connectivity: Wifi (802.11 a/b/g/n), Bluetooth, optional UMTS/3G module and GPS, mini-HDMI out to connect on standard screens, Full USB port 2.0 (2 of them, one of them can be connected to a eSATA drive via an adapter), MicroUSB port 3 (OTG) and 2 (for charging and debugging purposes), 2 SDXC card slots, and a audio jack port.
  • Case: The case of the Pyra will be made in Europe (Form Action, Greece), should be of better quality than the Pandora one. It is considered to be finished (July 2015).
  • Keyboard: position will be adjusted vs the Pandora keyboard mat, and it will be back-lighted (adjustable in intensity). The latest layout can be seen in the new renders from July 2015.
  • OS: will be Debian, with a repository for Pyra packages, and a standard Debian repository for standard Debian software. There will still be a PND-like system, to enable swapping cards and applications easily without having to update the whole system.
  • Supply Chain: The Production will be in Germany at the same plant as the current Pandoras, at Global Components.
  • Schematics: All schematics and case design files will be made public after release.
  • Financing: Prototyping is already ongoing and does not need additional funds. Mass production run will need some form of investment (Kickstarter, Loan, etc…).

Previous entries about the Pyra on PandoraLive:

The development blog is opened: http://pyra-handheld.com/ and you can find the specs page to know more.

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