Linux in your pocket / SQFMI Beepy

[@tommy8k]

wow, a lot of hate for this in the comments… It’s a nice piece of quirky tech - a few people buying this to play around with is hardly generating ewaste, especially when the keyboard is repurposed from a blackberry and you could use the pi in other projects if you no longer want to use it with this. I talk to my friends through matrix so this paired with a terminal matrix client could be neat for when I’m not at my computer.

[@SonicJ2]

Since you're one of the top comments I need to cling on and ask, whats up with the comments? Sorted by new they are all strange and about random geopolitical events or wars. whats up with that? I just wanted to know what the song that played at 0:00 was.

[@shemlesh]

the issue is it has to beat an old android phone and a bluetooth/usb otg keyboard which IMHO, it doesn't, postmarketOS makes a lot of older powerful devices go a long way, only issue is the lack of mainline kernel support for a lot of phones, but you can even tape a zero style SBC to the back of it and ssh in from the phone, works great and costs very little in comparison, I get about 36 hours on a single charge with a battery bank, and all it cost was stuff I had lying around my apartment and an OTG adapter. I'd rather see investment in postmarketOS and the like than vaporware like these things, they're fine as a niche but it really doesn't solve anything that can't be done with a bit of patience and time invested

[@commtechengineer612]

"Smartphones are boring, Beepy is fun".......(Me thinking in my head) "I like fun"

[@jose.inestroza]

Congratulations. What a great video, very well explained, organized. The script is very interesting, well written. The video editing is professional; very striking.

[@zajlord2930]

holy shit, never seen such an effective intro (the music choice was superb) like i rarely get pulled into the video like this (i was going to just turn it on and off to have it in history for later but after the intro i had to watch it)

[@pixpnd]

Informative video, thanks! And sick music in the intro, I like your choice

[@FullDupl3x]

Subscribed. Great video, great music. Well written script!

[@goiterlanternbase]

4:30 A backlit keyboard, but not a single light source for the display🤣👍

[@nuclearnyanboi]

you coul make your own screen light. it's an open source project after all

[@goiterlanternbase]

@@nuclearnyanboi Thats fine, but you not seem to get the humor of the developer🤣 Btw. Just change the screen.

[@nuclearnyanboi]

@@goiterlanternbase yea lol

[@PaulSpades]

My 6 year old Garmin fenix has a colour memory-in-pixel display, and they didn't have any trouble implementing a backlight.

[@SianaGearz]

Well the problem is that a small operation like this can't order a custom display module from Sharp, and the back of these is silvered, it doesn't have a removable lightbox. Besides not all memory LCD types can even fundamentally be converted to backlight. Frontlight is perhaps an option.

[@PaulSpades]

@@SianaGearz That entirely depends if Sharp wants to develop new products. They might do a few low yield production runs with small orders to offset development. You don't know unless you talk to them.

[@SianaGearz]

@@PaulSpades It's Sharp, they don't talk to you. The bureaucratic layer is too thick.

[@ThomSonnyYeah]

I have the colour version you mentioned at the end of the video. I highly recommend it.

[@VeniceInventors]

Where can I find the color version?

[@rollotomasi1832]

Link please?

[@brittman914]

@@rollotomasi1832 Do you have a link for this?

[@tuddrussell]

color beepy discord link invalid for me

[@mr_mr]

The color one looks pretty cool. Hope it starts to ship

[@MyTube4Utoo]

A very cool device. Exactly the kind of thing I seem to collect. I'd definitely go for the color screen version, and it seems as though it may be worthwhile to have a slightly thicker case that allows for a higher capacity battery. I have a Lilygo 'T-Deck' and with a reasonably sized case, and having to move the internal speaker, I was able to squeeze an 8,000 mAh battery into it. Which lasts for a *very* long time. Thanks for the video.

[@Anatoli-y]

Nice LG TV on background.. love it Remembering me of childhood, when i used it with ps1

[@iblackfeathers]

i was on the mailing list for over a year and a few months & still no developments. someday hopefully there will be an acceptable linux pocket terminal.

[@zajlord2930]

if ppl are interested in this they might find termux interesting too. its the same thing but its an app for your phone. great for emergencies if u need to ssh to your server or something

[@huntermirror]

The problem is not getting a terminal in a mobile device, the problem is that mobile device doesn't have a physical keyboard

[@fangleone7566]

​@@huntermirrorand also that a mobile device is usually not as repairable, upgradable, or extendable. This is just more fun.

[@eldino]

The two killer features of this device are the hardware keyboard and a desktop OS. You missed both.

[@0xKruzr]

@@eldino specifically wrt "desktop OS" -- i.e., "a normal GNU userland instead of that bizarre nonsense Google uses for Android"

[@joseph_donovan]

Bugger Beepy! Just look at that beautiful Palm Tungsten C on your bench! "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." I would love for you to do a video of the Tungsten C, please! Thank you.

[@sn0ren]

I’ve been wanting to do a video on it. It’s so cool.

[@joseph_donovan]

@@sn0ren Oh that would be a singular treat and pleasure for everyone!

[@67fabs]

I know I would have to resist to buy a device like this one because I already know I would stop using it after a few weeks but I love the nostalgia vibe it brings to me when I was discovering Linux (2.0 at that time I think). Maybe it's due to the colorless terminal or the simplicity of the device :)

[@sn0ren]

I know! I get that feeling when I set up a new raspberry pi. This device definitely scratches that itch.

[@squirlmy]

Debian 2.0 came out in '98. Are you referring to just the kernel? No specific distro? I bought the Debian CD form a vendor's desk(imagine that!) because it could boot up, before (and for many distros after) you had to boot from 3.5 floppy, and copy files to hard drive. I love the OPTION of a monochrome terminal, but as a daily driver? ugh

[@ladams391]

It would be really cool to see a version of this (or a competing product) that uses the keyboard, form factor, and square aspect ratio of the Blackberry passport. As many software problems as that phone had, the keyboard and text-centric form factor made it one of my favorite mobile device experiences to date, and taking those elements from it and using them in a Linux pocket computer like this one would be an instant purchase for me (provided it didn't share the few crippling issues this device has).

[@TalkingSasquach]

So happy to be first. Love everything you do!

[@BradleyBrown]

Aw, man! I got all excited. It's exactly what I've been looking for, for use with packet radio.

[@korzeTV]

bro this is a fucking video. good damn job! I love your style here!

[@fullstackcrackerjack]

Word!

[@morgantrevino4881]

The blackberry has returned from beyond the grave.

[@dhrutube]

This is the kind of stuff people used to carry to hack in the early 2010 movies

[@desktorp]

What I really want is a barebones cell phone with blackberry style keyboard for texting.

[@sn0ren]

That would be cool too. It’s too bad that no one are really making new phones with physical keyboards anymore.

[@desktorp]

@@sn0ren My first phone was a Palm Pixi.. I used it for many years until Verizon refused to reactivate it. RIP qwertyphones

[@sn0ren]

I had a Nokia e61 for a while. It was great!

[@igorperuchi2114]

Looks like a reincarnation of the PocketCHIP!

[@sn0ren]

Yeah! I had a PocketCHIP. Unfortunately it had a terrible screen, even worse keyboard and was really slow. Love these concepts though.

[@meneerjansen00]

Thanks or the warning about the "self destruct" chip.

[@debayanabae87]

Can anyone tell me the cost of it ?

[@0xKruzr]

I think what I really want is kind of a hybrid between this and a Clockwork uConsole.

[@erlgr]

Ooh, I didn't know about the V2 at all👀 I was just browsing around the net about the beepy because I was so close to getting one last year, but I ended up not pulling the trigger. If the V2 comes out this year though... I'm running to get mine

[@zushiba]

I was once sitting in a waiting room at a hospital high on pain killers with a killer kidney stone when I got an email about a critical failure of one of my Linux systems. I only had my iPhone on me so I had to set up a VPN connection & figure out how to SSH into the system to find out what was wrong. Turns out the system had run out of space due to a log not being truncated. I cleared the log and restarted the services. Still, this would have been so much nicer to use.

[@MrDowntemp0]

Sounds cool! I'd be happy with even a front light

[@gluttonousmaximus9048]

Can't decide which display would have been better for this, but let's just say that this non-backlit screen makes way more sense for a handheld that doesn't really rely on intense graphics and that can be remotely accessed, makes more sense compared to a gaming handheld. So there.

[@fizzzydev]

Or you just use a phone with termux Edit: I see a lot of comments defending beepy and talking down termux and I'm tired of the notifications so I made this. I in no way dislike beepy or termux. Both definetly have a place. I just mean that termux is a great way to get a "linux" terminal with a better resolution on the go if you don't have the resources to get a beepy and you could alwys use a 3rd party keyboard.

[@93vxhybridhatchback]

Depending on use case, that'd work. For some, the beepy is a great device.

[@sn0ren]

I don’t like touch screens :(

[@Thadopeera]

@@sn0renI hate touching my screens 😫😫😫

[@Determinator21]

But you like barely accurate and small keypads?​@@sn0ren

[@sn0ren]

This physical keyboard is much more accurate than any touchscreen keyboard.

[@yusefaslam9675]

great video, you've earned a new sub!

[@LegitHATZ]

with all those pins on the edge of the pcb near the screen i bet you could hook up some low power leds to light up the display and 3d print a new top case with a bezel to hide them wish i could get my hands on one the blackberry keyboard is top tier

[@sn0ren]

Good idea. They are GPIO pins so you could also control it from software.

[@sqfmi]

Awesome video and love the mods!

[@deepkhamaru]

If it has calling support I'm ditching my phone immediately! This is cool and fun!

[@NicksStuff]

Pine64 has a phone that's meant to be hacked and run any Linux distro you want

[@squirlmy]

what's the price difference, though?

[@NicksStuff]

@@squirlmy I don't know how much a Beepy is 🤷‍♂️

[@Armand79th]

Let us know when Pine64 actually *SUPPORTS* their own products. DON'T BUY FROM THEM.

[@gabriellevesque2185]

​@@Armand79th Explain?

[@o0julek0o]

@@NicksStuff$80

[@zogiamasula5354]

omg i see that palm tungsten c!

[@karmatraining]

> Creates a Linux handheld micro-PC > Display only clearly visible outdoors in direct sunlight

[@ukaszwieczorek211]

Oh no, my home budget... Next toy I want, and it will be decorating my drawers :-)

[@totalkiller4]

Was so hyped to buy one but so heartbroken when you said it was pulled :( can't wait till it's back

[@trayvibez399]

Dwarf fortress in the pocket. Nice.

[@trektn]

If you guys can find a blackberry key2 thats basically what this is but classy whereas this is like hobbyist if that's more your thing, also has more power too and a cellular modem, they're getting harder and harder to find

[@synthgal1090]

if only it would ever come back in stock so I can fucking order one.

[@AndresDeMoya]

You sonofabish... I'm in! What a fun piece of tech.

[@dr_pilot]

You are one of the few lucky youtubers to get it. No one of us regular people can find or buy one. Always not in stock. I waited for months and nothing. This is probably an "only for few privileged youtubers" gadget.

[@sn0ren]

I bought it used from someone else because I was tired of waiting too 😅

[@dr_pilot]

@@sn0ren I can't find anyone selling it, no results on ebay and on google. you're lucky for finding one bro. Have fun with it.

[@sn0ren]

Check out the Beepy discord, sometimes people are selling in there. That’s where I found one for sale.

[@iusearchbtw69]

Suddenly i missed my old blackberry phone :'(

[@cybernit3]

Well they should fix those problems; like have 80 column color lcd and a fast charge circuit.

[@gavinandrews9026]

I like small computers too.

[@abdallahnatsheh464]

you can use beeper project with it to run all your social media messages that comes with beeper project with it

[@DirtyPlumbus]

This has been on my "want but not buying" list for a while.

[@livvy94]

This reminds me of the PocketChip, which I swill own after all these years. Sadly the RAM has gone bad, so it's also bricked... Hopefully Beepy V2 will be better

[@AudisioOficiaI]

bro we use the same wallpaper!!!

[@br3nd4n]

I’m feeling strong @Posy vibes

[@No_True_Scotsman]

This is like saying any American is giving Tom Cruise vibes because they have the same accent

[@sn0ren]

Who?

[@YokomoHoyo]

I you don’t have a life but this.

[@TaylorTheOtter]

I really want one but I know I won't use it since I don't really do much programming anymore... Still a very cool device!

[@computerpastiche]

in instaled linux on mac computer

[@girlyvoice3210]

I'd love an eink display on the back

[@vulonkaaz]

I bought one, after like less than a day the power chip got cooked can't turn on anymore I complained, after *a few months* they sent a new one, the power chip cooked itself again and even faster than the last one

[@sn0ren]

Man that sucks. I saw someone do a mod with a few wires that makes it possible to power from usb, bypassing the battery.

[@silvioccruz]

I want to buy one of these and bring it to Brazil

[@tjihef4971]

Song????????

[@stalbaum]

Can it run pine and do text messages? I'd almost... Palm OS, oh hell yeah.

[@fangleone7566]

Text messages can be done through beeper

[@stalbaum]

@@fangleone7566 tnx

[@byte.raccoon]

very cool thing, but absolutely useless, because all required stuff I can do from my phone

[@CaribouDataScience]

How much?

[@Robtor.]

I have been on the waiting list for more than two years, but still no response...

[@samsmith5745]

couldn't someone flash the bms or something as a workaround?

[@xTHETRINCHOx]

I just TERMUX for that... In colour

[@xTHETRINCHOx]

Or take my 6 hours batt pocketchip

[@gsestream]

blackberry much, pretty handy

[@Matt-so3nm]

This is so cool

[@matt92hun]

This is what computers will be like in 1990.

[@fabianlehman]

Yah, we vant zee pancakes, Lebowski!

[@MrBratkenSolov]

Where do you, guys, get those blackberry keyboards? Just curious about the moment no keebs would be available some day :)

[@SonicJ2]

I need to know what that first song is, it’s so catchy!

[@amigaworkbench720]

I remember there was gameboy emulator that was using terminal buffer for graphics. So maybe you can run your gameboy games on Beepy?

[@MrWaalkman]

Makes me want to bust out my Agenda and play with it. :)

[@cdl0]

Danish sunshine is probably an oxymoron. 🙂

[@armisis]

It's almost like a CHiP

[@powerdude_dk]

Såååehh.. Er der andre danskere herinde :P

[@DanteLeoncini]

I already know where to do the port of Blendersito xD

[@H3li0s85]

Cool video thx🎉

[@i_vijay]

Isn't it possible to use BlackBerry Display as well?

[@CaribouDataScience]

Reminds me of a BlackBerry😮

[@squirlmy]

Haha! It's hard not to with the BlackBerry logo on the keyboard!!! The keyboards are re-purposed BlackBerry keyboards, so that's no coincidence.

[@CralexKokiri]

I was thinking "oh, it can't be that bad," but yikes! Those are a nasty pair of problems it has.

[@diygf9796]

i want beepy phone features

[@truko22]

Nice 🤩

[@JulsGeekPI]

lora meshtastic?

[@kamranahmadzade7811]

music name at start, please?

[@armisis]

Been waiting...

[@tutacat]

Did they add GSM hardware?

[@x7heDeviLx]

All androids run a Linux distro so isn’t that Linux in our pocket

[@blarghblargh]

android doesn't surface a linux-like interface. so yes and very much no

[@jpl9148]

I dont think I will be able to see that small font

[@illiteratebeef]

I have a SQFMI watchy and have found the company frustrating to deal with as a maker. Questionable documentation, the first version being more a beta with broken features, then afterwards opaque hardware versioning that effects how you program for it, etc. It's cool to see the playdate screen in something else, but I would never trust that hardware manufacturer to come up with something wholly functional.

[@sn0ren]

It's too bad because the concept is awesome

[@eekee6034]

They sound a lot like many Linux software projects in the 00s: hobbyists just doing their thing, not realising how much extra responsibility and workload comes with making their work public. I guess the use of a Pi could be taken as a yellow flag (if not a red flag); Pis have never been the most open or best value hardware and it's worth shopping for other options.

[@squirlmy]

@@eekee6034 best value? What are you comparing to? Libre boards have been more "open", but more expensive, Orange Pi zero and Geniatech zero might be alternatives, but where else, for less, are you going to source wholesale numbers of boards? The only options for an entire computer are cheap China products, and you won't find better quality there. For a niche project like this you're talking nonsense. And China chip-makers are going bankrupt in the thousands, so expect even less alternatives in the future.

[@eekee6034]

@@squirlmy Well, to be honest, it's old info. Sometimes I forget how old my memories are. The Pi 4 was the first good Pi, there were plenty better alternatives before it, especially when the first Pi launched. I didn't know how many chip-makers are going bankrupt, so maybe it's a good thing the Pi range is so popular. As for wholesale though, it was buying retail which was harder before the Pi. Some parts seemed to be only available singly in expensive dev kits, though that was starting to change.

[@SuperAjej]

Thanks to these videos they are sold out and hard to get, I’m just saying

[@yamcube]

Yo, this looks really cool > powered by a raspberry pi. NVM

[@ttt-sq6ou]

Color beepy discord link is down

[@sn0ren]

I've updated the link in the description

[@DavidKyazze-Ntwatwa]

Just get a m5 mini keyboard a raspberry pi zero and a cheap yellow display and you’re good to go. Or save yourself some money and get a lily deck

[@No_True_Scotsman]

TWENTY HOURS?!?

[@dududjddjehdhdud-ui3yc]

Lol @ the gen z kids in the comments that cant figure out why this is better than termux, yet consider themselves tech kids or hackers. The internet never fails to impress themselves. Lmao

[@Mike36555]

Now put a AI in it

[@o0julek0o]

If it was actually possible to buy it...