Pandora (computer)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Pandora is a handheld gaming computer created by OpenPandora. It was released in May 2010 and is designed to run free, open-source software and to support homebrew development. It runs Linux on an ARM processor and is intended to be both a portable game console and a low-power Linux computer.

Key specifications in brief:
- CPU: OMAP3530 (600+ MHz Cortex-A8) plus DSP features
- RAM: 256 MB (later upgraded to 512 MB)
- Storage: dual SDHC slots, 512 MB internal NAND, plus USB external storage
- Graphics: PowerVR SGX 530
- Connectivity: Wi‑Fi, USB 2.0, Bluetooth

Software and open ecosystem:
- The Pandora uses a Linux-based OS (Ångström) with a custom interface, but users can install other Linux distributions or even Android via packages.
- It emphasizes open-source software, with libraries like OpenGL ES and SDL to aid development.
- It supports Debian ARM packages and has community-driven repositories and app stores for Pandora software.
- Many older systems can be emulated, making it popular for retro gaming and homebrew projects.

Development and production history:
- The project brought together former GP32 and GP2X developers. It began with crowdfunding in 2008, and shipping started in May 2010.
- In 2011, production moved from Texas to Germany, and RAM was upgraded to 512 MB.
- A faster 1 GHz model appeared in 2012. By 2013, the German company’s pre-orders were mostly fulfilled, while some UK pre-orders faced delays.
- By the end of 2013, about 6,000–7,500 Pandoras had been made and sold. Production slowed due to shortages of Wi‑Fi chips.
- In 2014, the hardware designs were opened to the community, making OpenPandora a form of open hardware.

DragonBox Pyra, the successor:
- The DragonBox Pyra is considered the spiritual successor to the Pandora. It was announced in 2014, with prototyping starting in 2015.
- Pre-orders began in May 2016, and the first production developer units shipped in August 2020—continuing the open, community-focused approach.

Overall, the Pandora aimed to be the most powerful open-source handheld ever, blending gaming, portability, and full Linux capability for a wide range of software and homebrew projects.