Mecha Comet's April Voyage – Open Modular Handheld on mainline Linux 7.0 kernel
11 hours ago
- #Software Development
- #Community Engagement
- #Hardware Updates
- The I.MX95 mainboard version is nearing completion with release to manufacturing in 7 days, incorporating NXP's review comments.
- WiFi performance issues are being debugged with U-Blox and NXP, with the decision to proceed with the current module for EVT while awaiting a firmware fix.
- Thermal management improvements include extending the aluminum middle frame to spread heat more evenly, reducing hotspots and back cover temperatures.
- Reliability testing for the front 40-pin GPIO connector uses a pogo pin jig and diagnostics scripts to assess long-term performance and identify weak points.
- Waterproofing enhancements include replacing the headphone connector with an IPX7 connector, though Comet will not have an official IP rating.
- EMI emission testing for the I.MX8M Plus DVT shows all emissions within limits, with third-party pre-certification planned for later in May.
- Progress on LTE includes ordering new modules, software stabilization, and end-to-end audio pipeline completion, with a modem add-on release expected by end of month.
- Mainline Linux 7.0 support for i.MX8MP peripherals is advancing, with upstream kernel and bootloader efforts reducing vendor dependency.
- Launcher development focuses on an OpenGL-based renderer with optimizations like zero per-frame allocations and CPU-based batching for efficiency.
- Native apps are being rebuilt with a focus on stability and architecture, using Flutter on embedded Linux, with wireframes available for review.
- Most critical parts have been ordered, with a focus on timely delivery, as engineering work aims to wrap up by June 30 for production and shipping from July to September.
- Community engagement initiatives include a Matrix homeserver with Discord bridging, a public roadmap for voting and feedback, and third-party modem designs from PCBCupid.com.