A tiny Linux computer with a keyboard, a daylight-readable screen, and a long-range transceiver

Just started shipping their (eyewateringly expensive) crowdsupply version https://www.crowdsupply.com/morpheans/sharpikeebo

Sources and Gerbers available so you could get a couple fabbed at JLPCB or fab of your choice fairly easily https://github.com/ccadic/sharpikeebo/tree/main/V1222

I'd be inclined to run it with an open hardware replacement for the Zero such as https://openkits.easyeda.com/project/detail/lctspi-rk3566-2g-16g

93 points · 13 comments · view on lemmy.world

13 Comments

floquant@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 9 pts · 266d (4 replies)

Pretty cool, but I'd just chop off the bottom half and use anything else as an input device.

sam_uk@slrpnk.net · 6 pts · 266d
troyunrau@lemmy.ca · 3 pts · 266d (2 replies)

So just get an rpi then :)

floquant@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 266d

I really do like the concept, but bare PCB buttons are ok for navigation but just awful for typing honestly. Maybe some of those mouse microswitches could be neat

cv_octavio@piefed.ca · 0 pts · 266d
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slazer2au@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 266d

Kinda looks like a blackberry.

9point6@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 266d

Oh, new pocket operator just dropped!

OopsAllEarios@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 266d

Slap it in a Cybiko case and take my money!

sam_uk@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 266d
perestroika@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 265d

It's a nice one.

I have a Pocket Chip somewhere standing abandoned. It was sad to see them go out.

Currently, my preferred kit originates from drone ground stations:

  • a widely supported (e.g. Waveshare or SpotPear or even official Raspberry Pi) screen with a Pi4 on the back, video via flat cable or short HDMI jumper, touch can be arranged via USB or I2C
  • if there needs to be a keyboard, I use an onscreen keyboard (benefit: as many languages as you can speak)
  • for radio comms, a ridiculously good USB WiFi card (criteria of good: can enter monitor / inject mode, can raise output power beyond 100 mW)
  • if that falls short, an RF amplifier (which means the output power can be raised to 10 watts and is blatantly illegal)
  • if that falls short, a directional antenna (which means that radiated power is focused into a narrow beam)

The downsides:

  • price: Pi4: 38 €, screen 65 €, WiFi 50 €, amplifier (if needed) 40 €, 5 amp USB battery bank 10 €, a separate battery bank for the amp, cells for the banks 2 € each, microSD card, antenna... the total aproaches 250 euros or even 300 if you have high standards

  • weight and clumsiness: loose wires waiting to get pulled out, the kit weighs half a kilo, maybe more, you better buy an instrument case to house it

But you can beam video across a bay or between mountains, just don't get caught doing it. :) But not across a forest on flat ground.

SlartyBartFast@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 266d (3 replies)

Neato. Hope they don't make it stupidly expensive

sam_uk@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 266d

It is stupidly expensive, but also fairly easy to get them made

Bubs@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 265d (1 reply)

$180

SlartyBartFast@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 265d

Ha! Ha! Oh wow.