localroger
12-20-2011, 03:35 PM
Well Erco ridiculed it...
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?136568-What-s-Your-Least-Favorite-High-Tech-Device
...but I got mine today. For $20 I couldn't buy the parts to build this thing. $20 with shipping.
The core function is cute and it is quite a bit of fun to hit the random button and see the wide diversity of pages that pop up. But the real deal here is that it's a totally open general purpose computing device. Inside the battery compartment is a debug header which brings out a 3v3 serial port as well as regulated 3v3 power and some other signals. You'll have to open the case to make permanent connections; I'll probably install a phone jack as one blogger I found did.
What you get is a very clean little gizmo with a 200 x 240 pixel LCD display, a very good capacitive touchscreen, three buttons, a micro-SD socket, and 100 hours battery life on 2 AAA alkalines. I am given to understand that the thing is self-supporting for programming in Forth, and the development chain (and several hacked versions) are available online to recompile the core application.
It doesn't have a backlight or wireless because the designers were aiming for long battery life. It also has no built-in provision for recharging or powering from external power, because the intent is to use it in places where it's easier to carry in batteries than to find recharging power.
Although it's single-core there are some similarities between the who ever heard of it CPU and the Propeller. It's static and low power (180 um process) and like the Prop, and probably for the same reason, boots from a serial EEPROM. The real firmware is on the uSD card so there is no danger of bricking the device; you can mess with the EEPROM image if you want to, but there's no reason.
All in all it's one of the best starting points for a low power handheld project I've ever seen, and I'm looking forward to installing the serial jack and getting into the firmware.
-- LATER --
I opened my unit and broke out the serial port. A 3/32 stereo jack (the kind without a switch) fits nicely in the corner opposite the power switch once the tabs are cut down. (Note: Test before reassembling, it is VERY hard to open the case without damaging it.)
87923
After closing up, it almost looks factory.
87925
Now all I need is a 3v3 serial port. Wherever shall I find one of those? Oh...
87926
Looks like my propplug is being unfaithful. I won't tell it that's not a propeller if you don't. And what do you find when you start the debug console by holding down random while you turn it on? Go FORTH and see...
87924
Some of those words look positively dangerous. In a fun way. Time to back up the uSD card before continuing...
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?136568-What-s-Your-Least-Favorite-High-Tech-Device
...but I got mine today. For $20 I couldn't buy the parts to build this thing. $20 with shipping.
The core function is cute and it is quite a bit of fun to hit the random button and see the wide diversity of pages that pop up. But the real deal here is that it's a totally open general purpose computing device. Inside the battery compartment is a debug header which brings out a 3v3 serial port as well as regulated 3v3 power and some other signals. You'll have to open the case to make permanent connections; I'll probably install a phone jack as one blogger I found did.
What you get is a very clean little gizmo with a 200 x 240 pixel LCD display, a very good capacitive touchscreen, three buttons, a micro-SD socket, and 100 hours battery life on 2 AAA alkalines. I am given to understand that the thing is self-supporting for programming in Forth, and the development chain (and several hacked versions) are available online to recompile the core application.
It doesn't have a backlight or wireless because the designers were aiming for long battery life. It also has no built-in provision for recharging or powering from external power, because the intent is to use it in places where it's easier to carry in batteries than to find recharging power.
Although it's single-core there are some similarities between the who ever heard of it CPU and the Propeller. It's static and low power (180 um process) and like the Prop, and probably for the same reason, boots from a serial EEPROM. The real firmware is on the uSD card so there is no danger of bricking the device; you can mess with the EEPROM image if you want to, but there's no reason.
All in all it's one of the best starting points for a low power handheld project I've ever seen, and I'm looking forward to installing the serial jack and getting into the firmware.
-- LATER --
I opened my unit and broke out the serial port. A 3/32 stereo jack (the kind without a switch) fits nicely in the corner opposite the power switch once the tabs are cut down. (Note: Test before reassembling, it is VERY hard to open the case without damaging it.)
87923
After closing up, it almost looks factory.
87925
Now all I need is a 3v3 serial port. Wherever shall I find one of those? Oh...
87926
Looks like my propplug is being unfaithful. I won't tell it that's not a propeller if you don't. And what do you find when you start the debug console by holding down random while you turn it on? Go FORTH and see...
87924
Some of those words look positively dangerous. In a fun way. Time to back up the uSD card before continuing...