Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Linux gaming/PMP handheld gets more hackable
Oct. 12, 2006

Gamepark Holdings is shipping a breakout board for its GP2X, a sub-$200 Linux-based handheld gaming platform and portable media player (PMP). The "Breakout Board" adds standard PC I/O, helping hobbyists build GP2X-based home DivX systems, MAME cabinets, MP3/OGG sound systems, or classic computer set-ups, the company suggests.


Two views of GP2X Breakout Board
(Click either to enlarge)

Spread the word:
digg this story
The "Breakout Board" adds an RS-232 serial port and a JTAG port, which can be used for debugging and reflashing GP2X units. Free software development toolsets for Windows-based development hosts have long been available for the GP2X.

The Board also adds four USB ports, along with audio/video out ports, enabling users to attach USB keyboards, mice, and joysticks, and hook their GP2Xs to televisions, creating a "proper computer/console set up," GP32/2x Distribution says.

Like the GP2X, the Breakout Board can run off batteries; however, Gamepark Holdings recommends using a power supply, rather than wasting batteries, when operating the board at home.

About the GP2X

The GP2X is an inexpensive device powered by dual AA batteries. Gamepark Holdings claims that the device offers up to eight hours of battery life, when playing video, or up to 14 hours, when playing music with the LCD off.


The GPX2-F100 has a top-mounted SD card slot, and what appears to be a clever drop bumper on the bottom

The GP2X is powered by a pair of ARM9 processors. It has 64MB of NAND Flash and 64MB of RAM. Its 3.5-inch QVGA (320x240) TFT LCD supports 170K colors. Hardware controls include a fourway controller on the right and a small thumb joystick on the left.

I/O ports include a stereo headphone port and a USB 2.0 client port that Gamepark says supports 500Mbps file transfers (about 62MB/sec). The device also includes a top-mounted SD card slot.

Along with Linux, the GP2X runs several open source game emulation packages, including MAME (multiple arcade game emulator).

The device went on sale in the U.S. in April, and free software development tools are available for the device.

Lots more information about the GP2X are available in our detailed GP2X Device Profile.

Availability

The Breakout Board for the GP2X is available now, direct from U.K.-based distributor GP32/2X Distribution, Ltd., priced at 25.52 GBP (about $32.50), less VAT and shipping. GP32/2X also stocks standard and 275MHz versions of the GP2X, priced at 125 and 140 GBP, respectively, including VAT ($155 and $175).



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• POS stack targets Linux netbooks
• RIP LinuxWorld
• Multi-core networking stack ported to PowerPC
• Major Mono rev ships
• ETX module targets military apps
• Linux netbook return rates higher?
• Italian carrier ships Linux MID
• 5-second Linux boots on low-powered hardware
• MontaVista "Summit" concludes
• Freescale to jettison cellular chip business
• Open-source server appliance is "free"
• MontaVista Linux drives Dell's quick-boot feature
• "Virtual platform" targets Linux device developers
• Mobile Linux platform supports Cortex-A8 SoC
• Linux design targets 802.11n-enabled homes


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• RIP LinuxWorld
• Testers sought for Blackberry-Linux sync software
• Google updates photo editor for Linux
• Major Mono rev ships
• Intrepid Ibex beta-tests
• Linux netbook returns higher?
• Open-source image editing project launches
• Linux Foundation launches end-user conference
• GNOME 2.24 gains "Empathy" IM
• gOS 3.0 goes gold


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.