10-09-2020, 08:11 PM
I have gone through a mental exercise of imagining myself with this device, and what it could be, in regards to the list of questions you have as well. So here goes
Initially I thought "No way, don't need those. I don't have them working on my PinePhone and I don't miss them." But then when thinking about it, the camera is useful for more than just photos. Scanning barcodes/QR codes for example. So I would like to see a relatively low spec camera specifically for utility in cases such as scanning, on the back would be perfect.
I'd like all the sensors! But really, yes please
in my weird imagination trip I am imagining this thing being a device used for a lot of sensor related projects. Think Spock's tricorder xD Having sensors for different atmospheric testing (barometric pressure, humidity, heat, light, etc...) would be really useful. Then the other device specific things like accelerometer (screen rotation) would still be useful. Also, I am obsessed with Infrared Blasters. So having one of those would make my day. (I miss that from my HTC One)
This has been one of the biggest struggles for me on Fedora. The driver support is/was practically non-existent. So using a mainline kernel has been pretty much useless for phone related tasks. I know this will eventually get corrected, but even in the case of "future proofing" having a more modern spec wifi/BT module would be much appreciated.
You mentioned redundancy, are you picturing folks having this device as well as a phone with them? If so, this whole device kind of becomes a redundancy in many ways. However, for some folks like myself that would actually use this instead of a phone (I don't always need calls/sms) when I'm on the go. That being the case, I refer to my reply to question 2. in that this would be a nice feature to have. Though, I'm probably an edge case because I don't personally use GPS on any of my current devices anyway. So I could live without it
I've been only using the SD card for booting my OS on my pinephone. Probably a bad habit from other SBC's I play with. If it would reduce the cost, I think it would be perfectly acceptable to not have this.
Would it be possible to have a loop for a lanyard in the case somehow? Just asking
I always have preferred "smaller" screens. For something like this anything between 4-5" would be amazing! The reason for smaller of course being a little more portable in "tight" scenarios. Or, also easier to just hang around on something (with a lanyard for example)
I'd love to continue discussing this project, because it sounds really exciting to me!
Quote:1. Do we need both a front and back camera on the PineCom? In fact, do we need any cameras at all?
Initially I thought "No way, don't need those. I don't have them working on my PinePhone and I don't miss them." But then when thinking about it, the camera is useful for more than just photos. Scanning barcodes/QR codes for example. So I would like to see a relatively low spec camera specifically for utility in cases such as scanning, on the back would be perfect.
Quote:2. Should we bring over all sensors present on the PinePhone? If so, which do you think we can do without?
I'd like all the sensors! But really, yes please
in my weird imagination trip I am imagining this thing being a device used for a lot of sensor related projects. Think Spock's tricorder xD Having sensors for different atmospheric testing (barometric pressure, humidity, heat, light, etc...) would be really useful. Then the other device specific things like accelerometer (screen rotation) would still be useful. Also, I am obsessed with Infrared Blasters. So having one of those would make my day. (I miss that from my HTC One)Quote:3. Should we use the same single band/11n/BT4 WiFi module in the PinePhone (for compatibility sake) or change it out for a dual band/11ac/BT5?
This has been one of the biggest struggles for me on Fedora. The driver support is/was practically non-existent. So using a mainline kernel has been pretty much useless for phone related tasks. I know this will eventually get corrected, but even in the case of "future proofing" having a more modern spec wifi/BT module would be much appreciated.
Quote:4. Should the device feature a GPS (and compass) or are those features redundant in this type of device?
You mentioned redundancy, are you picturing folks having this device as well as a phone with them? If so, this whole device kind of becomes a redundancy in many ways. However, for some folks like myself that would actually use this instead of a phone (I don't always need calls/sms) when I'm on the go. That being the case, I refer to my reply to question 2. in that this would be a nice feature to have. Though, I'm probably an edge case because I don't personally use GPS on any of my current devices anyway. So I could live without it
Quote:5. Should we include SPI flash?
I've been only using the SD card for booting my OS on my pinephone. Probably a bad habit from other SBC's I play with. If it would reduce the cost, I think it would be perfectly acceptable to not have this.
Quote:6. We are currently considering following the PinePhone’s general design and aesthetic for the PineCom, but if there is some sort of physical (within reason - also financially) that you think would fit this type of device well then make sure to let us know.
Would it be possible to have a loop for a lanyard in the case somehow? Just asking
Quote:7. We’re currently thinking of using a 5” LCD panel for the PineCom; what do you think about this - is there a reason to go bigger or smaller?
I always have preferred "smaller" screens. For something like this anything between 4-5" would be amazing! The reason for smaller of course being a little more portable in "tight" scenarios. Or, also easier to just hang around on something (with a lanyard for example)
I'd love to continue discussing this project, because it sounds really exciting to me!