Intriguing Handheld (Linux)

https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/pocket-linux-handheld-pc-10-08-2020/

I'm not sure I'm a prospective buyer, given the absence of clamshell factor, but I have gotten SyncCE to run on Linux and a J720, so it could play nice with our devices.

Jake

Intriguing design. Reminds me of the old Tandy 100/102/WP2, Quickpad Pro and Dana designs. Loved writing on those machines. I’ve always thought the weakest link on small computers was the hinge.

Rick

Rick! Nice to see you here.

Yeah, the WP2, my first vaguely handheld (its document backups on cassette tapes, what could go wrong?)

I went to their home site. They're forgoing Indiegogo and such and have crowdfunded only 72K. Not promising.

Jake

When will Microsoft take legal action? The creators name it "Pocket PC" and refer to it as a handheld PC?

"Pocket Popcorn Computer" = "Pocket P.C." I'm almost certain MS won't object. They never stoop to that kind of stuff. The two periods have well-protected the company...

Jake

Cassette tapes - LOL, I do remember those with my old 102. With the WP2, I had the software/hardware kit (I don't remember the name) that allowed you to connect directly to a Mac SE and transfer your work to it's hard drive for further editing under WriteNow. It was an amazing system for text creation/editing. I used it until either the late '90s or the early part of this century when I finally transitioned fully to a MobilePro 700.

I did have the 128K memory upgrade but never did find any of the memory cards that fit the device. I did see one on eBay once but the seller wanted a small fortune at the time.

Rick

Pocket Popcorn Computer.... silly name.

Now sold in theaters...

Edited by stingraze 2020-08-12 9:26 AM

Re: WP2: I convinced da wife to go for that 128K chip as well, but on the Leading Edge Model D, there was no connectivity with the WP2. To make the cassette backups, you'd have to introduce the file name with your actual voice so you knew which was which. Crazy.

Jake

LOL

Ugh... this PCjr-like keyboard must be a nightmare to type on.

Cassette tape data storage: I had a VIC-20 that stored files on cassette. I remember putting them into my "ghetto blaster" by mistake and getting the equivalent of that squealing modem sound.

Also the tape machine had a counter and you had to keep track of where your data file started or you were in trouble. Those definitely were the bad old days!

Edited by Mobi 2020-08-28 4:08 AM

Wow! a counter! Very interesting...

The popcorn computer looks similar to an Itronix Fex 21

BTW I have a WP-2 that has a ZPM (Zero-Power-Memory) installed, but the ZPM's internal battery died.

I also have a Tandy 102, a couple of M100's and a M200.