one of the standout products I caught at CES, tucked all the way in the back of a off-site booth of CES. I was like "why doesn't this have more attention??" I can't wait for this thing to release!!
This is next level open hardware. It has a clip on/off back with a wrench INSIDE that you can use to disassemble the rest of the device. Even the display doesn’t use any glue making it easily replaceable. Very innovative & deserving of attention
They really hit it out of the park with this one, more and more creators are loving open hardware/software things and it is glorious to be along for the ride
@@Nobody-Nowhere So many times I've need to flash a boot drive on premise when I'm reinstalling an OS and I've needed something like this just to insert a full size pen drive>copy iso>make it bootable just because the stoopid computer wouldn't accept my version of ISO and fiddling around with a phone to do the same wasn't possible (they always throw some error when writing pen drives) and carrying a laptop is an overkill for most tasks like this I'd have loved a device like this; those pogo pins certify this device as a tinkerers device, probably not a consumer device and it is perfect for those tasks
It would just have to stick out so much due to the nature of being a ball, unless maybe they do a slick half circle for half the height but that seems worse than a trackpad without the benefit of trackball
@@justinfoster1040 Half sphere but it tracks like a touch pad although a trackpad could be setup to emulate a trackball too. It's mostly about acceleration and stopping power with trackballs that set them apart from pads.
@@NOPerative I was under the impression that the "acceleration and stopping power" of trackballs is pretty much entirely due to the nature of the ball actually moving and having mass/resistance so you're better able to control it than a trackpad that you're simply sliding your finger across. It seems like just making the trackpad a half sphere doesn't give it the benefit of being a ball that physically moves and has mass/momentum/resistance.
@@justinfoster1040 No it wouldn't but it would be more compact solution. Acceleration would be similar to touch screen acceleration and touching the trackball after a swipe would stop the motion. I would prefer a full trackball myself, but the half sphere idea addresses a previous statement regarding size concerns. Never the less the half ball idea would be valid if firmware was properly developed.
Just found out about this thing yesterday via some YT recommendations. I love the idea of this thing and how everything is open source. I'm excited to see what other modules come and if the community can do anything cool with this, too. I love tinkering with things like this and I always love projects that focus on freedom and repairability. Definitely planning on backing the Kickstarter when it goes live. I'll probably use it for some light retro gaming (think Game Boy, NES, etc.) and try it as a pocket PC/PDA like what was common back in the early 2000's. So the keyboard and game pad modules are must buys for me with this. Also really want to tinker with the modules and community projects that could come out of this.
I all but fell asleep during the CES presentations this year....but this is something I could sink my teeth into! Thanks for letting us know about it and please keep us informed down the road!
My suggestion for the maker of this device is for them to get in touch with the maker of the controller that slides from under the phone [I think he is also at [CES] and use that method for incorporating the controll/keyboard/and other I/O modules so that they can increase the display size.
Something like this specifically *for* gaming, bigger screen? Yeah, sign me up. I saw some guy make his own clamshell design with a super wide screen top, bottom controllers surrounding a mini keyboard and it was freaking really cool. Throw in Steam OS and I'd be a day one. The super wide screen worked amazingly well, a lot of games seem to run ultra-wide apparently. Looked amazing.
This reminds me a whole heck of a lot of a portable computer I had way back when called the Pocket chip. I always wanted something more modern and this looks to be it!
depends at what level you mean by mainstream. it was covered by tech media like engadget, toms hardware, zdnet. if you mean sites like bbc and cnn, hardly anyone goes there for tech stuff.
@iblackfeathers I'm talking about coverage on RUclips, I did not see any RUclips media with followers in millions covering this product. That includes the ones that you listed, even though their presence on RUclips is minimal.
I have been wanting to create a more affordable GPS device with a few features, like a weather data that is updated when is connected, and GPS for backpacking and "overland' camp spots.
Very cool! A travel companion that can be plugged into most keyboards and screens. All we need is that it also works as a phone, such that we done need some snooping OS.
Something this small can carry a really powerful ARM processor and just become your own personal computer on the go. Easily attach to a monitor and you have a full desktop. Hopefully they see that as possibility for this device. Imagine running full desktop linux operating system that can become a personal handheld device and a full desktop when connected to a monitor.
Dell had something like this a few years ago. I wondered at the time why it wasn't more popular. I had one, had a blast with it. For the right price, I would try it.
my rg25xxsp is 1.5ghz quad core with 1gb ddr4 ram and can emulate up to ps1 so this thing will be a great retro emulator if they had a decent dual stick module to attach. Definitely keeping an eye on it.
this would be a great little tool for the electronics workshop, a perfect little tool to keep all your linux tools on for when resetting printers and so on, and the gpio would give acces to ir blasters and whatever else you might imagine.
This was THE BEST thing i saw a CES 2025. I want a little cyberdeck. This fits my needs PERFECTLY. Edit: i will definitely try to get the first edition because one day i want to see this certified for cellular use in my country. I dont want to use a smartphone anymore. I kust want a mini pc i plug into my docking station and continue my phone call with a desktop environment
There is a mounting mechanism on the sides where you can screw the module in. But the magnetic grip is also super strong funnily we asked people at our booth to try and shake them off :D
@@shoaibmerchant6149 I'm sure I could find this out just by looking at other i.mx8 systems (let alone datasheets), but just while I have you here, will the USB-C have DisplayPort?
It looks good but they really need to have a version with a bigger screen. If the whole space would be a screen and the modules could be attached at the sides (horizontally) like Nintendo switch or below, like a keyboard, I can see people buying this for retro games or small tablet functionality.
The Modular parts seem like they might slide around during use. Not saying they will just wondering if anchoring the gamepad to the device might be in the works! Love seeing stuff like this though!
@estudiordl I use that daily and almost wrote that it misses an hdmi too :) Video + power with a single cable is the best thing that has ever happened for mobile/small devices.
This thing might live or die by the firmware, so I hope mechanixOS is up to the task. I would love to have a little PDA like this that is completely hackable and open source.
Just buy a smartphone with an unlock-able boot-loader & you could pretty much have a way better device than this… Try a OnePlus, Sony, or a Nothing Phone. Basically, you can do almost anything you want with a rooted phone…
@@IceTypes But you could just do the reverse & plug your phone into a dock with usb A ports, but anyways, this thing has more unique features you’ll probably try to use so buy whatever you’ll use more
Really hope those modules will fit in an indented area of the lower part s they end up sitting flush, but they can pretty much ake my money now. And that's something I never say
seems pretty could because it could be like a dmg but also a small form factor diagnostic tool for a data center maybe, or just if you need a computer somewhere on the go where the OS is more important than the power of the device
Can you imagine what is possible with this device to connect and control mostly all devices with IO. Think just about car´s OBD 2, dignostics, coding, monitoring ....... endless possibilitys just the people have to write software / applications for this device.
There are several Windows Mobile 5 or 6 PDAs and handhelds around. From HP, Dell, Asus from the time prior to iPhone. I wonder if there is a Linux version out there to actually use that 3.5 - 6 inch devices.
Tempted to buy it just to play 'Sky Roads' on it which apparently runs on Linux now (if the footage of the pseudo 3-d game with the little ship hopping around on it is to be believed). I wonder if that's a port or if it's running in a DOS emulator. Could be fun to play Scorched Earth, DZONE, Duke Nukem I/II, and Jazz Jackrabbit on this thing...
Was thinking of picking up another Linux-based smartphone, but this sounds pretty amazing. I wonder if a SIM module could be made for this to allow for mobile data on the go? As I rarely, if ever use voice services on my phones these days...
@@SRC267 we are working on an iteration based on the feedback received, if we went with the current design we could have launched in march but we are kneeling towards one round of improvement incorporating what the community is asking for, which means we will take some more time. We are not in a hurry and we will only launch kickstarter when we know we can ship early instead of making backers infinitely wait. In the meanwhile we plan to ship pilot units across the world to help expand the software support and extensions.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
one of the standout products I caught at CES, tucked all the way in the back of a off-site booth of CES. I was like "why doesn't this have more attention??" I can't wait for this thing to release!!
I hope the "open source" code also gets released last I checked only empty GitHub projects
i havent seen too much from ces, but this is the most seen thing ive seen so far. 4 or 5 times as of this video for me
because it makes zero sense
@@Nobody-Nowhere 2:40
This is next level open hardware. It has a clip on/off back with a wrench INSIDE that you can use to disassemble the rest of the device. Even the display doesn’t use any glue making it easily replaceable. Very innovative & deserving of attention
That's actually incredible
and a single screw size throughout.
lovely design! smartphone manufacturers could learn a thing or two.
They really hit it out of the park with this one, more and more creators are loving open hardware/software things and it is glorious to be along for the ride
to do what? with a tiny screen and tiny keyboard?
@@Nobody-Nowhere So many times I've need to flash a boot drive on premise when I'm reinstalling an OS and I've needed something like this just to insert a full size pen drive>copy iso>make it bootable just because the stoopid computer wouldn't accept my version of ISO and fiddling around with a phone to do the same wasn't possible (they always throw some error when writing pen drives) and carrying a laptop is an overkill for most tasks like this I'd have loved a device like this; those pogo pins certify this device as a tinkerers device, probably not a consumer device and it is perfect for those tasks
Only saw an amateur video from the CES. Glad you're covering it
WOW!
Update: a trackball attachment would be INCREDIBLE!
Mucho potential there.
It would just have to stick out so much due to the nature of being a ball, unless maybe they do a slick half circle for half the height but that seems worse than a trackpad without the benefit of trackball
@@justinfoster1040 Half sphere but it tracks like a touch pad although a trackpad could be setup to emulate a trackball too. It's mostly about acceleration and stopping power with trackballs that set them apart from pads.
@@NOPerative I was under the impression that the "acceleration and stopping power" of trackballs is pretty much entirely due to the nature of the ball actually moving and having mass/resistance so you're better able to control it than a trackpad that you're simply sliding your finger across. It seems like just making the trackpad a half sphere doesn't give it the benefit of being a ball that physically moves and has mass/momentum/resistance.
@@justinfoster1040 No it wouldn't but it would be more compact solution. Acceleration would be similar to touch screen acceleration and touching the trackball after a swipe would stop the motion. I would prefer a full trackball myself, but the half sphere idea addresses a previous statement regarding size concerns. Never the less the half ball idea would be valid if firmware was properly developed.
I swear, ETA PRIME is also one of the ppl that push Linux like crazy!
Can't wait to see more of that lovely device in the future!
@@OraOraOra I feel like most people who actually understand tech at a lower level eventually become Linux advocates.
Just found out about this thing yesterday via some YT recommendations. I love the idea of this thing and how everything is open source. I'm excited to see what other modules come and if the community can do anything cool with this, too. I love tinkering with things like this and I always love projects that focus on freedom and repairability.
Definitely planning on backing the Kickstarter when it goes live. I'll probably use it for some light retro gaming (think Game Boy, NES, etc.) and try it as a pocket PC/PDA like what was common back in the early 2000's. So the keyboard and game pad modules are must buys for me with this. Also really want to tinker with the modules and community projects that could come out of this.
This was easily my highlight of CES. The keyboard alone has me sold.
I knew this will show up on your channel, love it!
I all but fell asleep during the CES presentations this year....but this is something I could sink my teeth into! Thanks for letting us know about it and please keep us informed down the road!
Really interesting Device - we look at getting this on release. Thanks for the coverage.
The PocketCHIP successor we truly deserve!
I was really excited to see the Mecha Comet at CES. cant wait to see it become a real user product.
My suggestion for the maker of this device is for them to get in touch with the maker of the controller that slides from under the phone [I think he is also at [CES] and use that method for incorporating the controll/keyboard/and other I/O modules so that they can increase the display size.
Wow! This looks pretty awesome!
Thanks for reviewing this
Something like this specifically *for* gaming, bigger screen? Yeah, sign me up. I saw some guy make his own clamshell design with a super wide screen top, bottom controllers surrounding a mini keyboard and it was freaking really cool. Throw in Steam OS and I'd be a day one. The super wide screen worked amazingly well, a lot of games seem to run ultra-wide apparently. Looked amazing.
Reminds me of the OG HP PDAs back in the early 2ks
This is Sweet
Been waiting for this
Looks really cool! Thanks for the review
the creator is an awesome dude amd this device looks great
This should be the future in mobile computing.
I'm really curious to see how this one pans out! It was the first thing I noticed at CES. Gotta love modular devices! 💚
I would love to see something like this as an actual Linux phone.
Everyone’s been asking for a sim slot, awesome if they make that happen
ETA didn’t hype the MikroBus slots enough. There are an imense number of daughter cards for expansion already available.
This reminds me a whole heck of a lot of a portable computer I had way back when called the Pocket chip. I always wanted something more modern and this looks to be it!
this looks so cool! at right price point would love one!
It's sad that mainstream media missed this.
depends at what level you mean by mainstream. it was covered by tech media like engadget, toms hardware, zdnet. if you mean sites like bbc and cnn, hardly anyone goes there for tech stuff.
@iblackfeathers I'm talking about coverage on RUclips, I did not see any RUclips media with followers in millions covering this product. That includes the ones that you listed, even though their presence on RUclips is minimal.
@@gokuljosh1186 Err.. this channel has 1.27M subs.
@8bitchiptune420 Yes, hence commented. No other channel with a high follower count covered it.
@@gokuljosh1186It's a KS campaign 😂
Example use-case from their website: "Make a better, secure AI assistant that you control rather than a bunny." Shots fired lol
I'm excited for it!
I'm always excited to see devices like this.
I have been wanting to create a more affordable GPS device with a few features, like a weather data that is updated when is connected, and GPS for backpacking and "overland' camp spots.
Yeah there's an m.2 slot you could use for that
Very cool! A travel companion that can be plugged into most keyboards and screens. All we need is that it also works as a phone, such that we done need some snooping OS.
Something this small can carry a really powerful ARM processor and just become your own personal computer on the go. Easily attach to a monitor and you have a full desktop. Hopefully they see that as possibility for this device. Imagine running full desktop linux operating system that can become a personal handheld device and a full desktop when connected to a monitor.
The Mecha Comet looks so cool! Three cheer’s for open source software 🙌
It's magnificent, I love it.
Good lord I've been craving this
100% spotted skyroads in the game controller demo and I'm all about it.
Dell had something like this a few years ago. I wondered at the time why it wasn't more popular. I had one, had a blast with it. For the right price, I would try it.
Best product of CES
my rg25xxsp is 1.5ghz quad core with 1gb ddr4 ram and can emulate up to ps1 so this thing will be a great retro emulator if they had a decent dual stick module to attach. Definitely keeping an eye on it.
1000% will be interested in this down the line.
this would be a great little tool for the electronics workshop, a perfect little tool to keep all your linux tools on for when resetting printers and so on, and the gpio would give acces to ir blasters and whatever else you might imagine.
The only thing it's missing is a SIM slot and an option to turn it into a phone or portable hotspot/router
I think the creator of this is developing a LTE addon for it, so this may be a possibility as well.
This was THE BEST thing i saw a CES 2025. I want a little cyberdeck. This fits my needs PERFECTLY. Edit: i will definitely try to get the first edition because one day i want to see this certified for cellular use in my country. I dont want to use a smartphone anymore. I kust want a mini pc i plug into my docking station and continue my phone call with a desktop environment
Moonlighting some retros or AAA games from my desktop to this might be fun
looks good, agreed a trackball or at least a nipple mouse would be handy.
I have never backed a Kickstarter in my life... I'm backing this. I want this thing to succeed so badly!!!
Finnally he pulled something different good job not the same handheld pc videos! You're on the right path this time eta prime make such more videos 🎉
Great to see this coming from India❤
It will definitely run my game.
Not a smartphone replacement, but definitely a handheld RPi like device ..this will be very interesting!
I think they should add some optional thumb screws to secure the modules.
There is a mounting mechanism on the sides where you can screw the module in. But the magnetic grip is also super strong funnily we asked people at our booth to try and shake them off :D
@@shoaibmerchant6149 I'm sure I could find this out just by looking at other i.mx8 systems (let alone datasheets), but just while I have you here, will the USB-C have DisplayPort?
What improvement need
1.bezel less screen
2.bigger batery
3 .rugged build
4.water resistance.
"Linux Powered Mini PC in Your Pocket"
Android in 2008: am i a joke to you?
3:02 chrome be chrome no matter OS😂😂 ... i love this 😮
It looks good but they really need to have a version with a bigger screen. If the whole space would be a screen and the modules could be attached at the sides (horizontally) like Nintendo switch or below, like a keyboard, I can see people buying this for retro games or small tablet functionality.
The Modular parts seem like they might slide around during use. Not saying they will just wondering if anchoring the gamepad to the device might be in the works! Love seeing stuff like this though!
The magnetic grip is super tight, you cant shake it off even if you tried. There is a permanent anchoring system on the sides too
I love my uconsole, a pcket version yes please!
I have no clue what I'd ever use this for; but, I still kind of want it.
if the handheld have a DAC module it will be amazing😀
2 Mikrobus means you have a large selection of DACs
@@skyak4493 sound interesting 😋
it's beautiful!
I'd love it if the screen was a module too and hopefully that usb-c can do 4k 60 at least.
I keep forgetting usb c can do video. I was about to ask for hdmi port as well 😅
@estudiordl I use that daily and almost wrote that it misses an hdmi too :) Video + power with a single cable is the best thing that has ever happened for mobile/small devices.
Cellular capabilities would make this an awesome phone as well, with all the other functionality as a handheld.
Looks good. I would use something like that for dedicated remote control
Such a cool device isn't it
This thing might live or die by the firmware, so I hope mechanixOS is up to the task. I would love to have a little PDA like this that is completely hackable and open source.
i hope they're fully open-source with the hardware as well so someone smart can jam an n100 in there and have a cool form factor for x86 on the go
I just want that tiny keyboard!
i wish this thing had SIM card compatibility. it would certainly replace my smartphone
Just buy a smartphone with an unlock-able boot-loader & you could pretty much have a way better device than this…
Try a OnePlus, Sony, or a Nothing Phone.
Basically, you can do almost anything you want with a rooted phone…
@thetechrealist the thing has usb A ports, I could totally plug 4g dongles tho 🤔🤔🤔
@@IceTypes But you could just do the reverse & plug your phone into a dock with usb A ports, but anyways, this thing has more unique features you’ll probably try to use so buy whatever you’ll use more
4G licensing issues are too complex right now according to the dev
They have a module in the works that adds 4g capability. Getting the certifications for a 4g capable device is a big hassle for a small company
Looks like a neat device, but the front modules that can be swapped out don't look like they firmly attach to the device? Thoughts?
Metal... Gear...?
(the one from Snatcher)
🥰 Very nice device.
Looks great
Not sure how to use low end arm based linux product. But i hope it gets popular and create a stream of more performance oriented devices.
Really hope those modules will fit in an indented area of the lower part s they end up sitting flush, but they can pretty much ake my money now. And that's something I never say
Wow! Skyroads on the go ;D
An iPod clickwheel module would also be sick
I have absolutely no use for this, but I have to have one!
Looks like it would make a KILLER BTC hardware wallet!
I'm definitely interested, though wish it had at least 8GB of ram and the USB-C was a full-fledged port instead of just for charging.
Now that’s cool 👌
If the m.2 SIM slot can take a SIM module and have it working, I don't mind using this as a phone.
That is the plan!
There should be a HDMI in/out also, and a slim linux desktop. A complete computer in the backpocket, neat.
Amazing device!!! We have FINALLY gotten rid of the idea of clean, minimalist design and are returning to more "human" devices
This would make a sick music player wonder if there could be a DAC addon 🤔, you could use the gamepad module to navigate like a super iPod/Walkman.
I love this.
If you add a wifi egg with ethernet cable, it becomes usable as a phone if you have a voip app
I was thinking about a clockwork pi case but this looks much more slick.
seems pretty could because it could be like a dmg but also a small form factor diagnostic tool for a data center maybe, or just if you need a computer somewhere on the go where the OS is more important than the power of the device
Nice and interesting. ❤👍
With it being a Linux device and having a gigabit port this can easily be a network technician / engineer tool.
Being able to put a sim card in it would be awesome. I'd 100% replace my phone with one of these.
It needs sim card slot and module in the main body, and some phone styled front panel
Can you imagine what is possible with this device to connect and control mostly all devices with IO. Think just about car´s OBD 2, dignostics, coding, monitoring ....... endless possibilitys just the people have to write software / applications for this device.
Linux gets the deserved attraction. That device + Linux combination have huge potential by the user's imagination.
There are several Windows Mobile 5 or 6 PDAs and handhelds around. From HP, Dell, Asus from the time prior to iPhone.
I wonder if there is a Linux version out there to actually use that 3.5 - 6 inch devices.
Tempted to buy it just to play 'Sky Roads' on it which apparently runs on Linux now (if the footage of the pseudo 3-d game with the little ship hopping around on it is to be believed). I wonder if that's a port or if it's running in a DOS emulator. Could be fun to play Scorched Earth, DZONE, Duke Nukem I/II, and Jazz Jackrabbit on this thing...
Was thinking of picking up another Linux-based smartphone, but this sounds pretty amazing. I wonder if a SIM module could be made for this to allow for mobile data on the go? As I rarely, if ever use voice services on my phones these days...
They said obtaining a 4G module/licence is too complex as of now
We are working on a 4G modem design over m.2, so it is happening :D
@@shoaibmerchant6149 will KS launch in March as you said at CES?
@@SRC267 we are working on an iteration based on the feedback received, if we went with the current design we could have launched in march but we are kneeling towards one round of improvement incorporating what the community is asking for, which means we will take some more time. We are not in a hurry and we will only launch kickstarter when we know we can ship early instead of making backers infinitely wait. In the meanwhile we plan to ship pilot units across the world to help expand the software support and extensions.
don't know yet, I would like to see this in action and not just a video or a website that explains what it does
why not have a bigger display, put the io pins at the bottom edge, and add magnets to secure the modules?