Tag: Kickstarter

  • Miniproca Mini PC: Foldable Touchscreen, Powerful Processor Unveiled

    Miniproca Mini PC: Foldable Touchscreen, Powerful Processor Unveiled

    The Miniproca mini PC has made its debut, featuring a distinctive design and a 7-inch folding, multipoint touch display. The touchscreen can be adjusted to a 90-degree angle, showcasing the device’s adaptability.

    Advanced Design and Features

    Mini PCs with built-in displays are becoming more common, but the Miniproca Mini PC elevates these standards significantly. Recently introduced on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, this mini PC’s versatility makes it ideal for mobile use and confined spaces. It is powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX APU, with the AMD Radeon RX 680M graphics unit integrated into the APU. While this AMD Ryzen 9 APU debuted in 2022, newer and more powerful models have since been released by AMD.

    Specifications and Connectivity

    The Miniproca Mini comes with 4800MHz DDR5 RAM options of 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB. Storage choices include 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB M.2 2280 SSD via PCIe 4.0. Equipped with a vapor chamber heat spreader and a 400rpm blower fan, the device maintains efficient cooling even during demanding tasks, making it suitable for moderate video gaming. It supports connectivity through WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

    Ports and Pricing

    The front of the mini PC features two USB-C ports, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The back includes a DP 1.4 interface, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a Type-C port, dual 2.5G RJ45 wired network ports, and a 19V DC power supply connection.

    The Miniproca mini PC is priced at $699 on Kickstarter, with deliveries expected to commence in October 2024. The availability of this model will depend on the success of the crowdfunding campaign.

    Miniproca Mini PC: Foldable Touchscreen, Powerful Processor Unveiled
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  • Bluegen OKPad dual-screen tablet with IPS & E-Ink displays

    Bluegen OKPad dual-screen tablet with IPS & E-Ink displays

    OKPad, a novel dual-screen tablet from Bluegen, has initiated its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. This innovative gadget features an 8.9-inch IPS LCD display paired with a 7.8-inch E Ink screen, blending the best of both worlds for entertainment and productivity.

    OKPad Specifications:

    The IPS LCD screen is designed for typical tablet activities, while the E-Ink display, known for its paper-like texture and reduced eye strain, is perfect for reading, note-taking, and sketching. Both screens support touch functionality, and the E-Ink display offers 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, delivering a natural writing experience with the included Wacom stylus.

    The tablet includes a 360-degree hinge, enabling smooth transitions between different modes. You can fold it like a traditional laptop for work or presentations, set it in tent mode for comfortable reading, or flip the screens entirely for a dedicated E-Reader experience.

    Versatile Design and Performance

    The OKPad is equipped with a durable 7000mAh battery, expandable storage, and a dedicated button for easy switching between displays. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 series processor, supported by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which might seem modest for a device launching in 2024.

    The tablet also features an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera to cover basic photo and video needs. Running on Android 10, the slightly older operating system could be a deliberate choice for better software optimization with the E-Ink display, as eReaders often lag in adopting the latest Android updates. The age of the processor might also restrict future software upgrades.

    For connectivity, the OKPad includes WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. The device sports a sturdy aluminum alloy body, stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

    Pricing and Availability

    Bluegen’s Kickstarter campaign for the OKPad offers several pricing tiers: the Super Early Bird special at $199 for the first 100 backers (50% off), followed by the Early Bird price of $249 for the next 200 backers (around 38% off), and a Kickstarter Special at $299 (about 25% off). Each tier offers significant savings compared to the regular price of $399. The company anticipates starting shipments in August 2024.

    Bluegen OKPad dual-screen tablet with IPS & E-Ink displays
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  • Kickstarter Unveils Retro Gaming Watch with Mini Handheld Console Feature

    Kickstarter Unveils Retro Gaming Watch with Mini Handheld Console Feature

    A distinctive gaming wearable named the Retro Gaming Watch has been unveiled by an American start-up.

    This innovative gadget, which resembles a miniature Game Boy SP, can be worn on the wrist and opened to enjoy classic games. Seeking financial support for the device, Jason Rogers, the creator of the Retro Gaming Watch, has initiated a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

    Innovation on Your Wrist

    Beyond a mere timepiece, the Retro Gaming Watch serves as a compact gaming console. When not in gaming mode, the watch’s screen can be rotated to unveil a miniature console. It comes equipped with both hardware and software to replicate vintage games. This device provides a unique gaming experience that can be savored while on the move.

    Technical Specifications and Attributes

    Although primarily intended for gaming, the Retro Gaming Watch also operates as a functional watch. It showcases a small display for essential watch functions and a 1.54-inch 320 x 320 pixels internal LCD boasting a 60Hz refresh rate, specially optimized for gaming. Featuring four action buttons, a D-Pad, a magnetometer, an accelerometer, and a single speaker, the watch is a blend of versatility and entertainment.

    Internally, the Retro Gaming Watch is fueled by a Renesas/Dialog DA14706 chip housing a 160MHz application processor. Additionally, it integrates two ARM Cortex-MD processors dedicated to sensors and Bluetooth connectivity. The device impressively hosts a 2D GPU, 1.5MB of internal memory, and 8MB of external QSPI RAM. Noteworthy is its Efinix T20 FPGA, facilitating the creation of custom video game hardware with unique cores to emulate popular 8- and 16-bit consoles. This positions the Retro Gaming Watch as an ideal platform for playing emulated classic games, with the FPGA handling most processor tasks.

    Battery Life and Price Points

    When utilized as a smartwatch, the Retro Gaming Watch offers a battery life of up to two days. Nonetheless, for 2D gaming sessions, users can expect a playtime ranging from 2 to 4 hours.

    Regarding pricing and availability, funding for the Retro Gaming Watch is currently pursued through a Kickstarter drive. Early supporters can secure their unit for as low as $159. The leading supporters are slated to receive their watches by November 2024.

    Shaping the Future of the Retro Gaming Watch

    The trajectory of the Retro Gaming Watch will be shaped by the success of the Kickstarter campaign. A successful campaign is likely to result in a machined steel body for the device. Conversely, inadequate funding may lead to the production of the console with an injection-molded plastic body. For backers pledging $350, beta testing opportunities are open, with the estimated delivery of the watch set for March 2024.

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