- The Comet is a mix of Raspberry Pi, Simputer and Project Ara with a touch of Game Boy
- Its standout feature is the use of hardware extensions that can be quickly removed.
- It will be launched very soon on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform.
Developed in India in the early 2000s, the Simputer (simple, inexpensive mobile computer) was an innovative Linux laptop that many people believe inspired Apple’s iPhone (and, by extension, Android devices). It featured a touch interface, stylus input with handwriting recognition, an accelerometer, and a USB master port – all innovations well ahead of their time.
I mention the Simputer now because I remember him looking at a new modular laptop that will debut soon on Kickstarter: the Mecha Comet is a portable Linux device aimed at developers, creators, and experts.
The device, which is powered by open source software, features a magnetic interface for interchangeable extensions, which currently include a game controller, keyboard, and GPIO breakout board. Users can also design and create their own extensions using Mecha’s open source design files and community support.
Mechanix operating system
The Mecha Comet is powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage.
Its 3.4-inch IPS LED touchscreen provides a compact but functional display for various tasks. Connectivity includes dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5.0GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, two USB 2.0 ports, and one Gigabit Ethernet port. The device also includes a 5MP autofocus camera, dual digital microphones, and an HD speaker.
Running Mechanix OS, a Debian-based operating system, Comet supports more than 60,000 software packages from the Debian repository. Users can also port other Linux distributions. Mechanix Shell, built in Rust, supports GPU rendering in Wayland.
Mecha envisions the Comet as a versatile tool for various applications, such as a DIY Linux phone, a drone launch pad, an artificial intelligence assistant, a nanosatellite controller, an automobile diagnostic tool, a radio transceiver, a DIY robot controller and even a Tricorder inspired by trip to the stars. However, some of those ideas could simply be wishful thinking.
The Comet, which measures 150mm x 73.55mm x 16mm and weighs 220g, has a 3000mAh battery charged via USB-C and includes a gyroscope, real-time clock (RTC), and analog converter to digital (ADC) for an expanded project. odds. Its security features include Trust Anchor with CC EAL 6+ certification and accelerated cryptographic capabilities.
Kickstarter backers will be able to benefit from super early rewards when the project goes live soon, with prices for the Mecha Comet starting at $159.
