David – Blog. by Next Thing https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com News & Notes. Process & Projects. No BS. Srsly. Thu, 09 Nov 2017 03:16:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.5 Shipping Continues: Shipping Status Update for PocketC.H.I.P. https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/shipping-continues-shipping-status-update-for-pocketc-h-i-p/ Thu, 09 Nov 2017 02:53:22 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1627

We want to give you an update on shipping and fulfillment. Some orders are currently delayed. We are working on a solution to the delay, and for the majority of PocketC.H.I.P. orders, we are excited to announce that the solution is already here: over 800 will ship out within a week.

You’re probably wondering what caused the delay, how we plan to fix the problem, and what we’re doing to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Customs Delay

The first part of the problem occurred when a large batch of product was held in customs out of China during the Golden Week holiday. This meant that we did not have the inventory at our shipping partner when we estimated we would.


Miscalculated Shipping Cost

As we were trying to solve the customs issue, we discovered that we had been miscalculating and mischarging you for the cost of shipping. After investigating, we found it costs us more to ship you your order than we were charging you. This was true for domestic orders but was even more pronounced in countries that charge DDP: Brazil, Canada, all of the EU, Mexico, and Norway.

For DDP PocketC.H.I.P. orders, we have the inventory in stock for your order but are still in negotiations with our shipping partner to determine the accurate rate. But don’t worry, we’re covering the cost of the mistake, and you won’t have to pay any additional money to get your order.


Inaccurate Automated E-mail

Additionally, an automated email message was going out with each new order that set the expectations that you’d receive your order in 3-5 days. When we first setup our computer to send these estimates, they were accurate. Unfortunately, we made the mistake of not instructing the computer to stop when these estimates become inaccurate.


Not Happy With the Delay

If you’re not willing to wait out the delay, we are more than happy to provide you a refund for your order. To request a refund, please e-mail us at ahoyahoy@nextthing.co and we will process your request. Please be aware that we are dealing with a high volume of support tickets. We will get to yours as soon as possible.


Going Forward

To show you how serious we are about shipping you your PocketC.H.I.P. order, we are temporarily suspending the sale of PocketC.H.I.P. and all accessory products on our website until we ship the outstanding orders. It’s a big move, but we hope it shows you just how serious we are about getting you the products you’ve ordered. C.H.I.P. Pro and C.H.I.P. Pro Dev Kit orders will continue to ship and continue to be available for sale on our website, as with all B2B orders.

We are also adding 2 additional people to our customer support team to help with the high volume of tickets. We will continue to answer every ticket and believe adding more resources will reduce the time you have to wait for a response. If you have submitted a ticket more than 2 weeks ago and have not heard from us, please feel free to send us a new message. We will answer every ticket.

Your trust and participation in our community are of the utmost importance to us. We realize we need to improve communication and transparency with shipping and fulfillment. We hope that you’ll see this as a step in the right direction.

❤ everyone at NTC

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Community Made: Groboy is a DIY Gaming Handheld Powered by C.H.I.P. Pro https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/community-made-groboy-is-a-diy-gaming-handheld-powered-by-c-h-i-p-pro/ Tue, 24 Oct 2017 21:51:16 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1616

Groboy, created by Groguard, is a C.H.I.P. Pro-powered handheld system designed to run retro console emulators and games on the go.

It’s also a testament to the open source community, readily available data sheets and manufacturing houses, and the tenacity to teach yourself engineering. Groguard, like many of us, is self-taught and pursuing his passion for making through custom projects.

The Early Days of Groboy

C.H.I.P. Pro Dev Kit running GadgetOS with SPI TFT display

The Groboy project goes back several months to early summer when Groguard first received his Dev Kit. As he tells it:
I’ve always wanted to build my own handheld. I had seen people using Raspberry Pi’s to do it, but I wanted something a little more custom. I wanted to make my own PCB and make it thinner and more pocketable. I didn’t want mine to just be another iteration on something that had been done. I wanted it to be my design from the ground up.”

The first big success came early in the process, “I got the SPI stuff going and had DOOM running on the devkit pretty quick.” At the time, there were very few project that used SPI displays with C.H.I.P. Pro and seeing a working example shared on the forum was exciting.

But the early successes slowed and the custom Groboy hardware took a bit longer to get right.


Groboy Hardware Iteration

After 4 revisions of the board, Groguard had the design where he wanted it. The custom OSH Park PCB at the heart of Groboy routes signal lines from the 2.8″ TFT display, headphones jack, internal 2500mAh LiPo battery (he estimates 3-5 hours of battery life, though he’s not rigorously tested it), and the PCA9555 I2C GPIO expander, which manages inputs from the 11 onboard buttons, to the respective input and output pins on C.H.I.P. Pro.

Hand assembly of the PCB takes about 10-15 minutes and Groguard figures he can build about 20 per day. The custom 3D printed enclosures, however, take about half a day to print. Once the final revision of the board and enclosure are complete, he plans to release the design files as open source hardware.

Rear and front of two Groboys


Groboy Software: Yes, it Runs DOOM

Groboy runs GadgetOS, a Buildroot Linux system with support for running Docker containers. In GadgetOS, multiple containers can be run simultaneously. This allows for containers to isolate each of the subsystems of the software. In the case of Groboy, RetroArch, the SSH server for transferring software and game files, the GPIO_keys for interacting with the PCA9555 IC, and the module-loader for loading the TFT display driver, are each in seperate containers. This make it easy to test, deploy, and share portions of the software stack during prototyping.

The console currently supports RetroArch RGUI with Gameboy, Gameboy Color, and Doom. Additional game files and software can be transferred from a laptop to the Groboy using SFTP, but WiFi setup is still done using the command-line. Grogouard is quick to point out there’s some polishing left to do with the software, and he’s looking to add new contributors to the project. To help attract developers, he’s planning to sell Groboy developer kits, so everyone can work with the same hardware.

When I asked Groguard about his background and how he learned the various software and hardware skills necessary to pull of Groboy, he seemed a bit surprised by the question. “Well, with the internet, you can figure out how to do anything really. 🙂


Do you have a custom C.H.I.P. Pro project to share? Have a question or two for Groguard about his work? We want to hear about it. Share your questions, your latest prototype, or your final project revision with the rest of the community on Twitter or in the forum. We can’t wait to see what you’re up to.

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Switch It Up: A Desktop When You Want It, PocketHome When You Don’t https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/switch-it-up-a-desktop-when-you-want-it-pockethome-when-you-dont/ Thu, 07 Sep 2017 22:20:10 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1593

With a few taps of the screen, Allgray’s PocketDesk lets you switch between the feature-filled PocketHome GUI from marshmallow and the standard NTC C.H.I.P. desktop. It’s the perfect setup for the Pocketeer who wants to change graphical context on-the-fly.


Setup Your PocketDESK

PocketHome

The first thing you’ll need to do to get PocketDesk on your PocketC.H.I.P. is to flash it with the Desktop GUI 4.4. That’s right, don’t use a PocketC.H.I.P. image if you want to use PocketDesk, use the C.H.I.P. Desktop GUI 4.4 image.

Next, you’ll need to decide if you want your PocketC.H.I.P. to run PocketDesk Lite, which installs only the Desktop GUI. Or, if you want to go all in with PocketDesk Full: a combination install of the Desktop and PocketHome GUIs. Can’t decide? Go with the full version.

Desktop GUI on PocketC.H.I.P.

Because PocketC.H.I.P. is running a C.H.I.P. image, you won’t have a working touchscreen until you run the installation script for PocketDesk. To access a terminal session, either SSH into your PocketC.H.I.P. or connect it to a monitor using a composite cable. It’s also handy to have a USB keyboard and mouse, but it’s not required. After the install script runs on PocketC.H.I.P., both PocketHome and the Desktop GUI will be properly configured for the touchscreen and keyboard.


Switching from Desktop GUI to PocketHome & Back

Switch GUIs using the drop-down menu in the upper right

Switching between the PocketHome and Desktop GUI is done by logging out of the X session. In PocketHome tap on the Change to Desktop icon. In the Desktop GUI tap on the Computer Things menu, scroll down to Log Out, and then click the Log out button. You’ll then see a login screen like the one pictured above. Select which GUI you want to use from the drop-down menu in the upper right, then enter your username and password.

For full instructions on how to install Allgray’s PocketDesk, browse on over to his git repository.


How are you modifying your PocketC.H.I.P.? Make sure to share your latest hacks on the forum and send us a tweet. We can’t wait to see what you’ll make next.

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Learn How to Diagnose Your Car’s Performance, Control a Drawing Robot, or Even Chill with Kodi https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/learn-how-to-diagnose-your-cars-performance-control-a-drawing-robot-or-even-chill-with-kodi/ Wed, 06 Sep 2017 22:51:50 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1588

PocketC.H.I.P. is a versatile handheld Linux computer. Whether it’s diagnosing car trouble, drawing custom pen and ink prints, or helping you kickback and relax, there’s always a fun use for PocketC.H.I.P.!

These are just 3 of the most recent projects created by the community and shared in the NTC forum.

DIY Car Repair with PocketC.H.I.P.

These aren’t the RPMs for Linux

Way back in April, slipcougar bought a new car and figured PocketC.H.I.P. would make the perfect handheld tool to stay alert of any maintenance needs.

Using nothing more than PocketC.H.I.P., an OBD-II adapter, and pyOBD, slipcougar is able to review the car’s engine computer unit (ECU) codes which cover everything from vehicle speed to engine RPM. While this project won’t do the manual labor of the repair for you, it will tip you off to what parts will need a bit of elbow grease next.

Here’s how to set up your PocketC.H.I.P. to read your car’s ECU. Just remember, don’t use PocketC.H.I.P. while driving!


Robotic Drawing

Sketching with PocketC.H.I.P.

JKW, most well known for a number of C.H.I.P. DIPs he makes, turned his attention to the finer things in life: robot drawing.

In his setup, JKW uses PocketC.H.I.P. to control a CNC machine by streaming G-code to move the X, Y, and Z-axis of the gantry. Each print takes about 2 hours to complete and you can see more of his build and his robot’s drawing skills here. And don’t be shy, post any questions you have about the project in the forum thread.


PocketC.H.I.P. & Chill

And finally, Pocketeer krnr shared details on how to install and set up Kodi, a wildly popular entertainment center software package. Kodi makes it easy to stream videos directly to your PocketC.H.I.P. from a variety of different services.

While krnr details the setup for a particular a service called Zattoo, you can set up whichever one you like. Once Kodi is installed, click on the Video tab, then Add-ons, and then Get More. After a few moments, you will see a long list of the available add-ons for Kodi. Select the one you want, install it, and get ready to relax.


Got a use for PocketC.H.I.P. you haven’t seen covered on the blog? Head on over to the forum and share your story. And don’t forget to send us photos of your project on Twitter. We love to see what you’re working on!

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PocketC.H.I.P.s of Instagram https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/pocketc-h-i-p-s-of-instagram/ https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/pocketc-h-i-p-s-of-instagram/#respond Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:14:14 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1371

Whether you’re coding with Worf, kicking it with BMO, or cruising at 30,000 feet, we love to see how you are using PocketC.H.I.P. and where you’re taking yours. Out of the 924 #PocketCHIP posts, these are some of our favorite. Keep on posting and don’t forget to #PocketCHIP.

Nerd! #startrek #tng #pico8 #pocketchip

A post shared by Tyler Davison (@tylerisforthebirds) on




Lチカ

A photo posted by ゾンビタロット占い師 TAZN (@tazn_zombietarot) on





Oh snap! I just made my roaming #podcast studio even smaller! 😁 #audacity #ntc #pocketchip

A post shared by Fred SanJuan (@chosanjuan) on


Using the #pocketchip as a hardware hacking platform

A photo posted by swee meng ng (@sweemeng) on



#retrogaming #retro #nintendo #pocketchip #gba #finalfantasy6 #ff6 pocketchip is amazing

A photo posted by Serdar Aylanc (@ssaylanc) on



Programming on #PocketCHIP to kick off #CSEdWeek. #OaklandIsBeyond West Oakland MS, 12/05/2016

A photo posted by @oaklandcodes on


I had my new #pocketchip for like 5 seconds before i didn't. #Opensource #computer #9dollars

A photo posted by Tariq Krim (@tariqkrim) on


Benefits of doing it over? Cleaned up the cables on the back.. #hackchip #pocketchip

A post shared by El Kentaro (@elkentaro) on





Doing weird things at the beach with a scanner & my #pocketchip

A post shared by John Biehler (@johnbiehler) on



See a project you want to build? Don’t be shy. Reach out and say, “Hi!” And don’t miss the knowledge exchange on the forum. Ask a question, share a tip, or show off your latest, greatest project. See you there.

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Here’s How to Mechanize Your PocketC.H.I.P. Keyboard https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/heres-how-to-mechanize-your-pocketc-h-i-p-keyboard/ https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/heres-how-to-mechanize-your-pocketc-h-i-p-keyboard/#respond Mon, 21 Aug 2017 19:12:00 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1569

Fully assembled PocketC.H.I.P. “mechanical” keyboard.

You might not be able to fit the classic Cherry MX Blue keyboard switches on PocketC.H.I.P., but you can definitely 3D print and install Anthony DiGirolamo’s amazing PocketC.H.I.P. “mechanical” keyboard.

View of Clippy paper clips threaded through the case bezel and keys.

You read that right! This keyboard has a mechanical action thanks to paper clips that thread through the case bezel and keys. While the action isn’t spring loaded like the Cherry switches (pictured below), the paper clip provides a pivot point and makes it easy to depress the keys.

Innards of Cherry MX Brown and an intact Cherry MX Blue.

Anthony’s bezel is based on the work of another Pocketeer, Vincent John, whose keyboard implemented a D-pad style button for the arrow keys. It’s perfect for those intense PICO-8 speed runs of Celeste.

Give your thumbs a break with a proper D-pad!

Want to find more cool case modifications for your PocketC.H.I.P.? Head on over to the forum mega thread on case mods and join the conversation. And make sure to share your PocketC.H.I.P. creations with us on Twitter!

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Watch YouTube Live Streams, Cat Videos, and Much, Much More on PocketC.H.I.P. https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/watch-the-nba-finals-cat-videos-and-much-much-more-on-pocketc-h-i-p/ https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/watch-the-nba-finals-cat-videos-and-much-much-more-on-pocketc-h-i-p/#respond Thu, 01 Jun 2017 16:28:53 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1527

Recently Pocketeer Jet Jaguar posted an image on Twitter showing a PocketC.H.I.P. playing a video segment from a professional sports-ball halftime show (known to sports fans as the TNT NBA halftime show – Go Dubs!). Since the image was just a still people, including me, wanted to know what the video performance was like and how Jet Jaguar managed to get it working.

After a bit of tinkering with PocketC.H.I.P., I was able to get YouTube streaming working too. Video playback is smooth, and the audio is in sync with the frame rate. Of course, to hear this you’ll have to add a speaker to PocketC.H.I.P. (here’s how) or use headphones. Anyway, here’s how to get your PocketC.H.I.P. setup for binge watching cat videos.

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to include installation instructions for playing YouTube live streams in addition to regular YouTube videos. See Step 4. for details.

1. Install SMTube

Use the Terminal to install SMTube

First make sure your PocketC.H.I.P. is connected to WiFi (here’s a refresher), then tap on the Terminal icon on the Home Screen.

Once the application loads, type the following apt commands, then press enter. These commands will update the list of packages available to PocketC.H.I.P. and then install SMTube to your system.
sudo apt update && sudo apt install smtube

Note: If it’s been a long time since you’ve upgraded you PocketC.H.I.P., run sudo apt upgrade to make sure you’re using the latest software and follow the onscreen instructions.


2. Configure SMTube

SMTube configuration with the proper settings for PocketC.H.I.P.

In order for SMTube to work correctly, you’ll need to change the default video player it uses to MPlayer. You can do this in the SMTube GUI, but it’s a bit tricky.

An easier option is to launch SMTube and then quit. This creates a configuration file that you can edit by hand with Nano. At the Terminal command prompt, type in the following command and pressing enter.

Launch SMTube to create the configuration file.
smtube

Then quit by holding CTRL and pressing q.

Now edit the configuration file.
nano ~/.config/smtube/smtube2.ini

Scroll down in the file until you see the the section [players] and change all the lines that start with player_0 to what’s below.

player_0\name=MPlayer
player_0\binary=mplayer
player_0\arguments=%u -title %t
player_0\directplay=false
player_0\supported_media=1
player_0\quality=-1

Once you’re done with the edits, hold CTRL and press x, then press y and then press enter. This flurry of keystrokes will save your changes and quit Nano.


3. How to Find Cat Videos

The best type of videos on the internet

Let’s be honest, you’re setting this up to watch cat videos. Me too!

Launch SMTube by typing smtube in the Terminal, then pressing enter. This launches a YouTube browser that lets you search for content–just tap on the hamburger menu in the top right of the screen. When you find a good video, either tap the video preview icon or tap on the video name to start it.

Note: Linux is case sensitive. Even though the name of the program is SMTube, the Linux application uses all lowercase letters in its name.


4. Watching YouTube Live

Watching YouTube live broadcasts isn’t possible with SMTube. For that type of stream, I found a Python program called Livestreamer. Here’s how to install it from the Terminal.

sudo apt install python-pip && sudo pip install livestreamer

Livestream doesn’t have a fancy GUI, so you’ll need to know the URL of the stream you want to watch. The command below instructs livestreamer to use MPlayer and set the resolution at 240p. If you run the command without specifying the resolution, livestreamer will output the available resolutions for the stream you’re trying to play.

livestreamer --player=mplayer URL_OF_LIVE_STREAM 240p

Note: The command above assumes you have MPLayer install on your PocketC.H.I.P. from Step 1. But, if you skipped steps, run sudo apt install mplayer.


Now that you can stream videos to your PocketC.H.I.P., what do you plan to watch? Make sure to let us know in the comments below or tweet at us, and don’t forget to join the conversation in the forum.

And thanks again to Pocketeer Jet Jaguar for inspiring this post!

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Our 5 Favorite Products From CES 2017 https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/our-5-favorite-products-from-ces-2017/ https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/our-5-favorite-products-from-ces-2017/#respond Wed, 11 Jan 2017 22:48:57 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1386

LAS VEGAS—The Consumer Electronics Showcase is the first big tech event of the year, and we were there to take it all in.

Every January, 170,000+ attendees ranging from retail buyers scouting for the next homerun product to industry analysts hunting for new trends to journalists sent to cover the new gadgets and pitches from exhibitors big and small, trek to Vegas for the enormous show.

While we were there to showcase C.H.I.P. Pro and two new third-party products powered by it, we did find a few minutes to walk the show floor. Though we didn’t see everything, we did see some exciting products. Here are 5 of the highlights.

Customizable Keyboards

Sensel makes it easy to swap keyboard layouts on the fly

Sensel makes it easy to swap keyboard layouts on the fly

The Sensel Morph is a customizable keyboard that uses flexible rubber overlays to change the keyboard’s physical design and how your computer uses it for input. Underneath the overlay is a highly sensitive multi-touch pad that the company says is made up of 20,000 individual sensors. It looks a lot like a big trackpad and can detect tapping of fingers and even brushstrokes.

Each overlay contains small magnets arranged in a unique pattern that identifies its function and layout to your computer. Overlays range in purpose from a drum pad and easel design to the more familiar QWERTY and DVORAK keyboard layouts. In total, Sensel offers 10 different overlays.

The multi-touch pad sells for $249.99 and keyboard overlays are $24.99 each. Morph is currently available for preorder and projected to ship in February 2017.


The Internet of Hugs

Send a hug to a distant friend with Parihug

Send a hug to a distant friend with Parihug

Parihug brings distant friends and loved ones closer together with internet connected hugging teddy bears. Each Parihug comes with two soft teddy bears and a smartphone app. Once the bears and phone app are configured, let the hugging begin.

Hug one bear and the other bear expresses the same type of hug you gave the first bear. Give a quick squeeze or a long embrace, and these bears will know and show the difference. Hugs can also be sent to bears using the smartphone app.

The creators, Xyla Foxlin and Harshita Gupta, hope to be in production by Q1 of 2017 and are currently looking for product testers. Send ’em a message on their site if you think you have what it takes.


LEGO Boosts its Programmable Kits

The Lego TKTK

The Lego Boost kit

The Lego Boost is the latest programmable brick-system from the classic building kit company. Designed to get kids interested in building and programming, the kit includes 840 standard Lego pieces and introduces the new programmable Move Hub brick.

The new Lego Move Hub, motor, and sensor for color and distance

The new Lego Move Hub, motor, and sensor for color and distance

Move Hub features two built-in motor encoders, a button, a tilt sensor, and Bluetooth Low Energy for communication with other devices. It’s basically a small computer that’s enclosed in a big Lego brick. Programming Move Hub is done using a free tablet app and an icon-based programming language. Once a program is written, upload your new code to Move Hub over a BLE connection, and your program will begin to run.

Boost is expected on stores shelves in August 2017, and it’s sure to be a hit.


Stay focused with Freewrite

Golden Freewrite

Golden Freewrite

The Freewrite is a connected keyboard that’s reminiscent of the AlphaSmart of the late 1990s. Freewrite combines an e-ink display, mechanical keyboard, and cloud services with the hope that people will be less distracted writing on a product that only has one main application and no notifications.

While the $499 price tag is not cheap, the Freewrite is comfortable to type on, and the eink is sharp even in a poorly lit convention center. If you’re looking for a single purpose device to help remove clutter and distraction from your writing, the Freewrite might be for you.


Print Circuit Boards Even on Flexible Material

The Squink PCB printer from Botfactory

The Squink PCB printer from Botfactory

The Squink PCB Printer from New York-based BotFactory can operate as a PCB printer to create a circuit board or as a pick-and-place machine to maneuver electronic components onto an existing PCB.

Working as a PCB printer, Squink can extrude a conductive ink or solder paste (depending on the mode it’s in) at a rate of 5 in² of pad area per hour. Printing can be done on traditional circuit board material like FR4 or flexible material like Kapton tape.

As a pick-and-place machine, Squink is much slower and only able to place 4 parts per hours. Arguably, this is slower than someone with a steady hand, but Squink doesn’t take lunch breaks or sick days.

The entry-level Squink Basic will set you back $3200, but it’s worth spending $800 more for the version that can print multi-layer PCBs. No question, Squink comes with a big price tag for an individual buyer, but it’s primarily intended for small businesses, shared workshops, or academic settings. If you need PCBs made in a hurry, Squink is one product to consider.


chipLogo64x64

Ultimately, CES is too enormous to see everything. If you were there and saw something cool we missed, let us know in the comments below.

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GR8 News: C.H.I.P. Pro Powers the Outernet Lantern & VNYL TRNTBL https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/gr8-news-c-h-i-p-pro-powers-the-outernet-lantern-vynl-trntbl/ https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/gr8-news-c-h-i-p-pro-powers-the-outernet-lantern-vynl-trntbl/#respond Wed, 11 Jan 2017 14:00:44 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1375

Great news! C.H.I.P. Pro Dev Kits are shipping, and two new third-party products are powered by C.H.I.P. Pro.

The Outernet Lantern, a satellite data receiver bringing the best of the internet to the world’s most remote communities, and the VNYL TRNTBL, a SONOS and Spotify connected record player, both use C.H.I.P. Pro for brains. They are the first examples of products that grew out of the C.H.I.P.ster community, a group of 60,000 makers, designers, and developers building the next generation of smart products.

This is just the beginning of products powered by C.H.I.P. Pro! We can’t wait to see what incredible products you come up with next.

Beam the Internet From Space!!!

The Outernet Lantern is a satellite data receiver that downloads free digital media anywhere on Earth. Lantern stores the downloaded data–material like Khan Academy, Wikipedia, and local news–and creates a local WiFi hotspot so that nearby devices can peruse its digital library.

Ultimately, Outernet’s goal is to make information and educational content accessible to people regardless of their location or how much money they can spend on network infrastructure.

“Because we’re looking to bring the benefits of the information age to the most remote and disconnected parts of the world, price and accessibility are the driving factors for all of our design decisions,” says Syed Karim, CEO of Outernet. “C.H.I.P. Pro allows us to offer the Lantern at a cost that makes it more accessible for the communities that would benefit the most.”

Outernet currently has receivers installed in over 50 countries worldwide, including Kenya, Columbia, India, and the Philippines. We’re overjoyed that C.H.I.P. Pro is helping make access to information less expensive and more widely available.


Stream All Your Vinyl

It looks like a traditional record player, but hidden within TRNTBL is a C.H.I.P Pro that wirelessly streams any vinyl you spin to compatible WiFi speakers like SONOS.

TRNTBL connects with your Spotify account to scrobble the artist, song, and album information to create a playlist of your listening session. Share your custom playlists with friends or DJ a live set from TRNTBL and broadcast it to the entire internet. You’ll never be at a loss for what to play next, TRNTBL suggests new albums and artists based on your listening history. Together TRNTBL and C.H.I.P. Pro bring vinyl into the streaming age.

“We are thrilled to be working with Next Thing Co. in bringing TRNTBL to market faster and more confidently,” says Nick Alt, Founder & CEO of VNYL, the maker of TRNTBL. “C.H.I.P. Pro allows us to imagine and create an incredible set of features on our new record player hardware. Making the leap from idea to product is thrilling, but as with any hardware project, it’s complicated and can feel incredibly daunting. Next Thing Co. has made mass production dramatically easier across the board.”

As lovers of music and retro tech, we’re excited to power TRNTBL and that Rolling Stone included it in their 35 Perfect Presents for Music Fans. We completely agree!


chipLogo64x64

Lantern and TRNTBL are just the beginning of projects becoming C.H.I.P. Pro-powered products. Join the discussion in the forum to see what others are building with C.H.I.P. Pro.

Have a project you’re working on that could use C.H.I.P. Pro? Send us an email at sales@nextthing.co and let us help you scale your project into a product.

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Watch Star Wars on PocketC.H.I.P. https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/watch-star-wars-on-pocketc-h-i-p/ https://ntcblogbackup.wpengine.com/watch-star-wars-on-pocketc-h-i-p/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2016 20:47:54 +0000 http://blog.nextthing.co/?p=1367

With the premiere of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story tonight, we gathered around PocketC.H.I.P. to watch Episode IV in ASCII.

It’s an old internet trick to use telnet to watch Episode IV, but it’s so much cooler on PocketC.H.I.P.! Here’s how you can do it with your PocketC.H.I.P. and H/T to Pocketeer Meowter_space for reminding us.

1. Install Telnet

Tap the Terminal on your PocketC.H.I.P. and type the following command, then press enter.
sudo apt update && sudo apt install telnet

Note: You’ll need an internet connection for this to work.


2. PocketC.H.I.P. & Chill

Use telnet to connect to the special Star Wars server.
telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl

Note: If the text is too big to properly display, use the minus symbol in the terminal to make it smaller.


chipLogo64x64

What’s your favorite Star Wars movie? Tell us in the comments below and tweet us your Star Wars PocketC.H.I.P. photos, we can’t wait to see them!

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