Linux in your pocket / SQFMI Beepy

[@commtechengineer612]

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

[@squirlmy]

(in my head)"don't like the sound of booster converter chips self-destructing. Not fun"

[@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.

[@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)

[@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

[@robonator2945]

​@@goiterlanternbase "just change the screen" and get a fraction of the battery life. It lasts for as long as it does *_because_* the screen is nonbacklit. Transflective displays take virtually zero power because they only need to reflect light rather than producing it. As in, the Nice!View takes 10 *_micro_* amps and is 160 x 68 at 1.08". Using some quite possibly wrong napkin math, that'd mean a single AA battery could power it for years, even *_decades_* . (2500mah->2500000microamphours->/10->hours->/24->days->/30->months->28.9351... years.) This is the equivalent of looking at a book and saying "ha! can't believe they cheaped out on the backlight here and went with some shitty display technology made of wood". The display is fine, you're just a vampire.

[@goiterlanternbase]

@@robonator2945 I know man. I was born right into that area, when these screens where suddenly everywhere😁 And than came the color ones and the more detailed ones and every time, the batteries either got larger or lasted less time. But i get it. This feeling of depth is somewhat annoying and we all knew immediately that there must be something better🤗 Sadly eInk is still about 3 times more power hungry, so we are stuck with the UX of reading newspaper, held about an inch underwater🤗

[@pixpnd]

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

[@dhrutube]

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

[@HenryKlausEsq.]

You adjusting the light angle to show off the keyboard topology... You're an underrated creator.

[@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"

[@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.

[@FullDupl3x]

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

[@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

[@meneerjansen00]

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

[@Anatoli-y]

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

[@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

[@halfsourlizard9319]

​@@squirlmyLinux literally *is* (only) the kernel.

[@jnharton]

@@halfsourlizard9319 While that's technically true, virtually everyone uses Linux to refer to any mainline distribution shipping with the Linux kernel, GNU utilties/tools, etc. There is very little real value in pointing out this technicality, except in a purely educational respeect.

[@0xKruzr]

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

[@mr_mr]

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

[@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.

[@jnharton]

As long as you don't mind black&white (and maybe gray?), so 2-3 shades of grayscale, it's certainly possible to play games on one of these. Of course, it would probably need to be developed for the Beepy specifically unless it's a very old game.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@jnharton]

Eh. Palm made some really cool stuff back in the day. But realistically Palm's PDAs were far less multipurpose than this machine is capable of being. Not to mention that developing software for them is quite challenging by modern standards and some things are just not practical (or even possible on them).

[@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.

[@NoahJohnson7452]

what are you looking for in one? Im making one and want to know what people think it should have

[@DirtyPlumbus]

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

[@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

[@AlghostUnit]

The issues seems not impossible to fix DIY, I like it. If I can replace my mobile for it I'll do it...

[@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).

[@robonator2945]

honestly with modern 3d printing the barrier to make something like that is dramatically lowering. You could use basic micro-switches and resin-printed keycaps (though you'd probably need to find some way to economically paint them in or something) to make a completely custom keyboard formfactor. You *_might_* even be able to use multi-material FDM printing for it, though I'm not certain on that.

[@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.

[@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.

[@korzeTV]

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

[@fullstackcrackerjack]

Word!

[@ukaszwieczorek211]

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

[@jnharton]

Yep. So many projects like this end up as fancy drawer decorations.

[@yusefaslam9675]

great video, you've earned a new sub!

[@debayanabae87]

Can anyone tell me the cost of it ?

[@BradleyBrown]

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

[@Iamzogia]

omg i see that palm tungsten c!

[@halfsourlizard9319]

Holy shit! This looks amazing. How did I not know this exists? TTY + Ed in my pocket‽ Yassss 🤯

[@MrDowntemp0]

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

[@morgantrevino4881]

The blackberry has returned from beyond the grave.

[@iusearchbtw69]

Suddenly i missed my old blackberry phone :'(

[@DrVektor]

i loved to shine and holographic shell.

[@matt92hun]

This is what computers will be like in 1990.

[@deepkhamaru]

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

[@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.

[@sqfmi]

Awesome video and love the mods!

[@synthgal1090]

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

[@karmatraining]

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

[@TalkingSasquach]

So happy to be first. Love everything you do!

[@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

[@byte.raccoon]

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

[@trayvibez399]

Dwarf fortress in the pocket. Nice.

[@totalkiller4]

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

[@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

[@francorreaccna]

nice! I wish to buy one!

[@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

[@markgholson9222]

My Sharp Zaurus is 100% linux, made in 2000. I'm running the Hentages custom ROM on it.

[@AudisioOficiaI]

bro we use the same wallpaper!!!

[@gavinandrews9026]

I like small computers too.

[@AndresDeMoya]

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

[@abdallahnatsheh464]

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

[@girlyvoice3210]

I'd love an eink display on the back

[@silvioccruz]

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

[@kmemz]

I like the base concept, but I would like to have the option of a capacitive keyboard over a tactile keyboard at that size, I have trouble maintaining speed on a tactile keyboard of that scale, compared to a full size keyboard or my phone's software keyboard, It's always felt tiring and clunky on my fingers no matter the device. They can probably put a printed vinyl on a trackpad with firmware to act like a keyboard as a solution for people like me, that might make it a device seller for me.

[@cybernit3]

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

[@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?

[@ViktorPripyat]

@@sn0ren This youtube guy who talks about liquid crystal displays, segmented displays, and mouse cursors. the stuff that matters that most ignore.

[@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!

[@gsestream]

blackberry much, pretty handy

[@CralexKokiri]

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

[@cdl0]

Danish sunshine is probably an oxymoron. 🙂

[@Matt-so3nm]

This is so cool

[@xTHETRINCHOx]

I just TERMUX for that... In colour

[@xTHETRINCHOx]

Or take my 6 hours batt pocketchip

[@SpadeQc123]

I wish we could buy these easily

[@amigaworkbench720]

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

[@fabianlehman]

Yah, we vant zee pancakes, Lebowski!

[@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.

[@MrBratkenSolov]

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

[@H3li0s85]

Cool video thx🎉

[@JulsGeekPI]

lora meshtastic?

[@845sSuperman]

So I’m new and trying to learn. This looks like a blackberry but it’s a computer right ? What could this be used for ? It also got me thinking. Has anyone found a way to make a sidekick work powered by modern tech ?

[@truko22]

Nice 🤩

[@MrWaalkman]

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

[@SonicJ2]

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

[@tiwaaaz]

Things like that - ZISO

[@easibroeasibrode6381]

Es posible instalar ese SO en una Blackberry?. Help

[@samsmith5745]

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

[@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.

[@CaribouDataScience]

How much?

[@DanteLeoncini]

I already know where to do the port of Blendersito xD

[@moba2k]

They’re not widely available yet it seems.

[@Robtor.]

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

[@ViktorPripyat]

I NEED IT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

[@SuperAjej]

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

[@cameroncameron6800]

Can it be used as a Bluetooth keyboard?

[@armisis]

Been waiting...

[@i_vijay]

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

[@chillbaby2x]

It worries me that the website to order them, the BB keyboard is blurred out. Does this mean they wont be shipping the next models with those keyboards?

[@sn0ren]

I think it’s because they get these keyboards as old stock blackberry keyboards from various sources. Some of them from English speaking parts of the world but some of them not, and have weird characters on them. I think they blurred the keyboard because the one they used in the product photoshoot had some weird characters on it and they didn’t want it to be representative of the product you’re getting.

[@diygf9796]

i want beepy phone features

[@computerpastiche]

in instaled linux on mac computer

[@EvanPoliquin]

How did you even get this? I signed up for the waitlist back when this was still called the beepberry and I haven't even gotten an email that it's available yet.

[@sn0ren]

Yeah I got tired of waiting and bought it used from someone else.

[@powerdude_dk]

Såååehh.. Er der andre danskere herinde :P

[@armisis]

It's almost like a CHiP

[@notafbihoneypot8487]

Based