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But an iPad (by default) can’t run arbitrary code, either. Every year, these small, hackable devices get cheaper and more powerful. The firm hints that it may later raise the price to $69 after an introductory period, but considering its bare-bones design, I think that would be a mistake. While $69 for something like this five years ago would have been insanely cheap, computing power per-dollar, per-watt is dropping like a rock.

By default, it displays six icons that launch various built-in apps, which we will go into individually in a moment.

Linux or OS X — Windows may work, but is unsupported.
|, If old hardware could talk, these are the stories they'd tell.

When you put all the features of the PocketCHIP together, and weigh it against its currently advertised $49 price, it’s clear that Next Thing Co. has a winner on its hands.

It’s bare-bones but functional, and I think it’s a nice inclusion to the PocketCHIP suite of apps.

Or you could probably connect a Bluetooth gamepad with some finagling. Ships immediately. Think of it as the ultimate “bright kid” present—a low-cost all-in-one starting point to a much wider world of creative exploration in electronics and computers.

Then, after about a dozen reboots, it randomly worked.

As part of its pitch, Next Thing Co. also showcased the PocketCHIP, a handheld version of the CHIP with a built-in keyboard and touchscreen display. The keyboard works surprisingly well for what it is (and for the price); although I’d expect the domes to wear out over time, and I would definitely not want to type out a term paper on it. It allows you to composite retro-sounding chiptune music on your PocketCHIP. PocketCHIP has everything you need built into one device, and it’s ready to go when you turn it on.

One of the neatest things about PICO-8 games is that you can modify them any way you like, including while you are playing the game. While it’s a neat idea, SunVox’s interface is, frankly, incomprehensible, and it’s frustrating to navigate using the tiny icons that you have to try to tap on (emulating a mouse). Those are powerful qualities to have in a $49 general purpose computing device that comes with no strings attached. The PocketCHIP comes with many PICO-8 games preinstalled, and you can download more quickly and easily. Its translucent peek-a-boo nature is an enticing feature in a device that you can take apart, which you’ll see next. No proprietary lock-in. It’s definitely a big plus. With this device now shipping to Kickstarter backers, I thought it would be helpful to take a closer look at the gadget on my trusty workbench, and document my findings in this slideshow.

CHIP-SDK.zip - Contains vagrant file to re-create the VM, contains a script to setup Ubuntu 14.04 for flashing CHIP-tools.zip - Scripts for manual flashing, requires android-tools-fastboot sunxi-tools u-boot-tools (for Debian) I’m a musician with significant sequencer experience and I don’t even want to use it. Otherwise, it’s definitely not a selling-point of this product. with a monitor and keyboard, and you might be confused about how to get started.

I feel like it meets the needs of a “couch computing” device for more technical people. For $49, this kind of keyboard is definitely not a deal breaker. Here we see the CHIP module (left) detached from the “console”—it plugs in via two double-rowed pin headers on the circuit board.

The CHIP is the heart of the console—it’s the computer that makes it all possible. Pocket C.H.I.P. 10 surprisingly practical Raspberry Pi projects anybody can... 11 cheap or free ways to make your old PC run faster, 22 terrifying PC horror games to play with the lights off, The best co-op PC games to play with your friends, 10 surprisingly practical Raspberry Pi projects anybody can do.
Last, but not least, we have PocketCHIP’s built-in GUI-based file manager, which is accessible via the Browse Files icon on the home screen.

If you’re coming from a Raspberry Pi angle, the PocketCHIP’s onboard 4GB storage is a big limitation, but it’s also a plus: With the Pi, you need a case, a power supply, an SD card, a display, a keyboard, and a mouse to get going (that often adds up quickly).

Connect to CHIP in Fastboot mode, and send the operating system image to CHIP. Here we see the editing screen, which you can use with the PocketCHIP’s built-in keyboard to program to your heart’s content (or plug in a USB keyboard and do it). PocketCHIP’s smooth, angular plastic case feels fairly comfortable in your hands as you cradle it to type.

Starting with CHIP is incredibly simple once you know how to set it up, and if you’re already a Linux user, you’ll feel right at home once you login.

Of course, you could always hack one up yourself—just the kind of thing the Pocket CHIP was meant for. Just good old fashioned open source on simple, customizable hardware without a hefty pricetag. CHIP new and sealed in original retail packaging.

Install the following packages, then jump to the Preview section. In keeping with its spirit of hackability, the PocketCHIP is easy to disassemble into its constituent parts—if you ever wanted to do such a thing.

The first thing I did when turning on my PocketCHIP (after setting up Wi-Fi) was update the apt-get repository, install SSH (why it was not included is beyond me), then log in to a remote dedicated webserver that I administer.

At the moment, however, Bluetooth setup requires some deft command-line work.

In 2015, Oakland-based Next Thing Co. upped the ante by successfully Kickstarting a $9 computer it called “CHIP” to the tune of $2 million in funding. It is based on the CHIP platform, and includes a 480 x 272 LED backlit touchscreen and a membrane keyboard. While the interface is a little awkward to navigate using touch (I did not want to use it for very long), it’s a boon for Linux command-line novices, and a handy tool for file management on the device.

PCWorld The inclusion of a four-way directional control, two “start” and “select”-like buttons, and a dedicated home button at the bottom are very welcome. Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.

Then stopped again after putting into sleep mode.