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EVO Smart Console: Too Good to be True?
Samir Makwana, Oct 24, 2008 0948 hrs ISTLinux-powered game console claims capability to do everything under the digital roof
Envisions Computer Entertainment Corp. has announced a Linux-based hybrid gaming console dubbed the EVO Smart Console that targets the game developers. The EVO Smart Console comes loaded with Fedora 8, with an option to convert to Linux-based Mirrors Evolution (a modified version of Fedora 8) or to install Virtual Windows for an additional $100. This console offers gaming, Internet, VoIP support and HD Video playback.
EVO owners can also download games from EVO-Direct -- a service similar to PlayStation Store or XBOX Live. EVO offers cloud computing based applications, Amiga-based games and Akimbo-based Video on Demand service with a catalogue of over 10,000 titles. EVO also offers additional features such as remote access, virtualization, voice-recognition, Digital Video Recording, support for Internet Television, social networking, streaming content, and automatic backup and storage, and finally -- the unit acts as a virtual online cloud storage.
EVO also features customized liquid cooling system and biometrics security system that supports facial, voice and fingerprint scans. The voice-enabled Media Center Communicator allows playing music, video conferencing, VoIP and other media functions.
Mirrors Evolution, a modified Fedora 8-based Linux operating system features open source Crystal Space Engine 3D for game developers to write EVO-based games. Envision itself is planning to produce, distribute, and promote selected games.
The specifications of this console are:
Processor -- AMD Athlon 64x2 5600 clocked at 2.9GHz
Graphics processor -- ATI HD 3200
Memory -- 2GB DDR2
Display -- supports 1080i and 1080p/HDCP resolution; ATI HD 3200 Chipset
Video codecs -- H.564 VC1; MPEG2
Video output -- DVI; HDMI
Storage -- 120GB or 250GB hard drive, plus online cloud storage (10GB free)
Peripherals -- CD/DVD ROM; biometric scanner
Networking -- 2 x 10/100 Ethernet
USB -- 2 x USB 2.0
Dimensions -- 11.8 x 2.6 x 10.7 inches (300 x 65 x 273mm)
Operating system -- Fedora 8 with option to convert to Linux-based Mirrors Evolution distro; optional Windows install via virtualization
EVO will be up for pre-order soon and its shipping is expected to start from 20th November. The Linux based system will carry a retail price tag of $600. It will also be sold via a subsidized rebate plan (subscription based service) which will bring down the console's price to $250. The initial November release will be targeted towards "game developers, open-source users, and earlier adopters," with a consumer roll-out expected sometime in 2009.
Our take: this machine sounds too good to be true. It's like a geek's dream come true. We remain skeptical on three things especially -- one, will anyone make games for the hardware? Two, will anyone buy it at $600? Note that even the Sony PS3 struggled to move units at that price point. Three -- that's a lot of hardware and software promises bundled -- will Envisions deliver on them or are we looking at a lot of castles in the cloud?
While skeptical, we hope that the machine delviers.
Source: Linux Devices
EVO owners can also download games from EVO-Direct -- a service similar to PlayStation Store or XBOX Live. EVO offers cloud computing based applications, Amiga-based games and Akimbo-based Video on Demand service with a catalogue of over 10,000 titles. EVO also offers additional features such as remote access, virtualization, voice-recognition, Digital Video Recording, support for Internet Television, social networking, streaming content, and automatic backup and storage, and finally -- the unit acts as a virtual online cloud storage.
EVO also features customized liquid cooling system and biometrics security system that supports facial, voice and fingerprint scans. The voice-enabled Media Center Communicator allows playing music, video conferencing, VoIP and other media functions.
Mirrors Evolution, a modified Fedora 8-based Linux operating system features open source Crystal Space Engine 3D for game developers to write EVO-based games. Envision itself is planning to produce, distribute, and promote selected games.
The specifications of this console are:
Processor -- AMD Athlon 64x2 5600 clocked at 2.9GHz
Graphics processor -- ATI HD 3200
Memory -- 2GB DDR2
Display -- supports 1080i and 1080p/HDCP resolution; ATI HD 3200 Chipset
Video codecs -- H.564 VC1; MPEG2
Video output -- DVI; HDMI
Storage -- 120GB or 250GB hard drive, plus online cloud storage (10GB free)
Peripherals -- CD/DVD ROM; biometric scanner
Networking -- 2 x 10/100 Ethernet
USB -- 2 x USB 2.0
Dimensions -- 11.8 x 2.6 x 10.7 inches (300 x 65 x 273mm)
Operating system -- Fedora 8 with option to convert to Linux-based Mirrors Evolution distro; optional Windows install via virtualization
EVO will be up for pre-order soon and its shipping is expected to start from 20th November. The Linux based system will carry a retail price tag of $600. It will also be sold via a subsidized rebate plan (subscription based service) which will bring down the console's price to $250. The initial November release will be targeted towards "game developers, open-source users, and earlier adopters," with a consumer roll-out expected sometime in 2009.
Our take: this machine sounds too good to be true. It's like a geek's dream come true. We remain skeptical on three things especially -- one, will anyone make games for the hardware? Two, will anyone buy it at $600? Note that even the Sony PS3 struggled to move units at that price point. Three -- that's a lot of hardware and software promises bundled -- will Envisions deliver on them or are we looking at a lot of castles in the cloud?
While skeptical, we hope that the machine delviers.
Source: Linux Devices
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pcgamer
,pccity, on Oct 24, 2008 11:17 AM
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