Tuesday, January 24, 2017

C.H.I.P., A nine dollar computer!


Searching through the backside of the internet, I stumbled upon this!

It's glorious!

It runs an ARM processor, and my favorite, Linux!

The version of Linux it uses is a debian based (Thank you chip peeps!) in house blend called CHIPOs.


Here's some info on CHIPOs 4.4, released in July 2016:
https://bbs.nextthing.co/t/chip-os-4-4-released-vga-hdmi-and-more/4319



It does have a gui for those of us who like the CLI's blinking cursor, but also like to use technology from after 1980 (i.e. a mouse).

The gui is LXDE according to the screenshots.



If you always like the idea of exploring something like a RaspberryPi, but still thought 30-40 bucks was too much money, this should be up your alley!

Here's what https://getchip.com/pages/chip had to say about C.H.I.P.:

C.H.I.P. does serious work
Use C.H.I.P. with Gnumeric to create spreadsheets or AbiWord to word process. It's all there. They’ll even open up the Word and Excel documents you may already have.


C.H.I.P. does internet
Use the IceWeasel browser to surf the web. Check out websites, send emails, post on social media, watch videos, and more. Waste time the same way you would on any other computer - the internet awaits.


C.H.I.P. does (lots of) games
Connect bluetooth controllers to C.H.I.P. and play thousands of games – both retro and new. Been missing that amazing DOS game from your childhood? C.H.I.P. plays it! Remember that game that mom wouldn’t buy you back in the day? C.H.I.P. plays it! (Don’t worry, we won’t tell).

C.H.I.P. is Perfect for Projects!
(seen at the website)

C.H.I.P. has specs!

WiFi B/G/N Built-in!
Plug C.H.I.P. in and hop on the internet in 60 seconds flat.


1GHz Processor
C.H.I.P.'s R8 processor allows C.H.I.P. to be small and powerful enough to handle any task you can throw at it.


4GB of High-speed Storage
C.H.I.P. comes with storage onboard, so there’s no need to purchase an SD card. C.H.I.P. is ready to go.


512MB of RAM
C.H.I.P. comes with enough RAM to start your projects right away.


Bluetooth 4.0
Wirelessly connect keyboards, mice, and controllers to C.H.I.P. With a few clicks and an old stereo, turn C.H.I.P. into an AirPlay or Bluetooth speaker.


C.H.I.P. Works with ANY Display
C.H.I.P. is designed to work with any screen. Old or new. Big or small. Connect via C.H.I.P.’s built-in composite output or add a simple adapter for either VGA or HDMI.

RUN FASTER, JUMP HIGHER, AND LIVE LONGER WITH BUILT-IN GAME CHANGING TOOLS

FANTASY TECH SPECS
THE HARSH LIMITATIONS OF PICO-8 ARE CAREFULLY CHOSEN TO BE FUN TO WORK WITH, ENCOURAGE SMALL BUT EXPRESSIVE DESIGNS GIVE PICO-8 CARTRIDGES THEIR OWN PARTICULAR LOOK AND FEEL.
CONSOLE

DISPLAY:128X128 16 COLORS
CARTRIDGE SIZE:32K
SOUND:4 CHANNEL CHIP BLERPS
CODE:LUA
SPRITES:128 8X8 SPRITES
MAP:128X32 CELS
CONTROLS:2 6-BUTTON JOYSTICKS
SPRITES

CHANGE THE COLOR AND THE SHAPE OF THINGS.

MAP

PUT YOUR SPRITES WHEREVER YOU LIKE.

SFX

HEAR WHAT YOU WANT.

MUSIC

SCORE THE GAME WITH YOUR OWN CHIPTUNES.


PRODUCTS

C.H.I.P.
PocketC.H.I.P.
C.H.I.P. Pro