There’s another portable ESP32 device on the horizon. The PocketByte is a small modular computer that’ll function as a gaming machine, a PDA, or a music player. This one’s unique in that it has been designed and created by a sixteen-year-old Canadian with an eye for computing.
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but it’ll be revealed when pre-orders begin later this year. Even then, you’ll need to be quick. The initial run will be limited in number, but, based on the available spec, you might want to be one of the first in the door.
Taking a PocketByte
The PocketByte packs a 2.8in IPS LCD screen with a 320 x 240 resolution. It’s running on an ESP32-S3 processor and 8MB (not a typo) of PSRAM (pseudo-static RAM). Users supply up to 32GB of microSD storage. A 1,500mAh lithium-polymer battery keeps the whole thing portable.
The screen unit is the main brains of the outfit, with the bottom unit being swappable via magnetic pin connectors. That’s how it’ll switch from gaming to productivity to… whatever you want, really. Provided the interface exists, anyway. A breadboard connector and an iPod-style controller are also planned. There’s an internal speaker planned, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack. There are also wireless connectivity options via the main board. Bluetooth LE and WiFi will be present.
The operating system and software are all set to be open-source, as are the modular hardware specs. In other words, if it doesn’t exist yet (and you’re of a technical nature), you could just make your own components. That said, most folks will just snap one up to play retro games on the go. Which is fine… but you could also channel your inner Edward Furlong and get up to some mischief. Once the PocketByte goes on sale, of course.
