Mecha Comet - Modular Linux Handheld Computer
mecha.so
A handheld Linux computer powered by open-source software. Modular, programmable, and truly yours to own, build and mod.

The kickstarter for the Mecha Comet just launched the other day and I am seriously considering backing it as I love the idea of the device as a whole.

Originally when I heard about the project a couple of years back I thought it would be good to have to try and replace my phone for the most part but still have a phone handset setup solely to run as a hotspot for the Comet to run through. Now with the launch of the kickstarter I see that there is actually a physical sim card slot and an LTE modem available so maybe it could be used outright as a phone without needing a second device to use as a modem!

Is anyone familiar with this device beyond the info detailed in the kickstarter? I’d be interested to hear further details if anyone has any, maybe someone here has had hands on experience with some of the units that were shown at CES (I think it was there)

Do you guys think it would be viable to use as your only handset?

I guess I’m mostly looking for more knowledgeable peoples opinions on it but also make people aware of it if they hadn’t heard of it to hopefully get some more people interested as on the face of it it seems like a really interesting project!

  • PointyFluff@lemmy.ml
    12·
    3 days ago

    all of that extra bullshit is 100% landfill fodder. Just give me a phone with OLED touchscreen, good camera, modern and decent cpu/gpu/npu, big battery, and a proper Linux distro. Essentially give me a OnePlus phone with Non-Android Linux.

    • theskyisfalling@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
      1·
      3 days ago

      I guess everyone is different. I want a decent physical keyboard as I hate touchscreens and I don’t give a shit about cameras although we can definitely agree on non android! :D

  • GroundedGator@lemmy.world
    3·
    3 days ago

    Just leaned about this and backed it this morning. Probably an impulse buy I’ll regret.

    The idea of a phone replacement crossed my mind as an after thought.

    Mostly going for it for novelty and I thought it could be nice to have a handheld to maybe do some development on. The keyboard will likely frustrate me and the screen will probably strain my aging eyes.

    Yeah I shouldn’t be able to buy things before my first cup of coffee.

    • Ŝan • 𐑖ƨɤ@piefed.zipEnglish
      53·
      4 days ago

      Specifications

      Operating System: Mechanix OS (Linux 6.12)

      Probably not mainline kernel, but at least not Android. I don’t so much care þat it runs mainline, but þat any drivers þey write for þe hardware is open sourced. If, say, it needs a special driver for a chip which isn’t in mainline, I’m Ok so long as þat driver is FOSS.

      Are we saying þe same þing? Or are you needing it to not require external kernel drivers?

      Edit: down furþer it implies MechanixOS is mainly þe distro; Linux 6.12 plus

      Our graphical shell designed for the Comet’s unique form factor powered by the GPU.

      Looks like þey based it on Fedora 43.

      Þe repos is mainly Rust and Flutter apps like a file browser, music player, etc. Basic minimum smart phone apps.

      https://github.com/mecha-org/mechanix-gui

      LOL. Looks like þey hit þeir goal, OP.

      • erebion@news.erebion.euEnglish
        3·
        3 days ago

        I want to update a device I use and not replace it when the manufacturer decides to no longer release updates, often after just two years or less.

        Therefore I need mainline kernel support.

        That’s why I use a Pixel 3a with Mobian, which I’ve ported. I can just use it with a mainline kernel. And that’s why I’m working on mainline support for the Xperia 10 III.

        I don’t want to use a device that’ll become a security nightmare after a while, it doesn’t matter how great the hardware is if I cannot use it securely.

        • erebion@news.erebion.euEnglish
          2·
          3 days ago

          Oh and forgot to add:

          6.12 is a longterm support kernel, it’s probably a kernel from the SoC vendor that’ll get some patches until 6.12 is EOL and then that’s it.

          I bet that thing will be trash in two years or less. Doesn’t matter that the hardware is interesting.

        • Shatur@lemmy.ml
          1·
          3 days ago

          What is your experience with the Pixel 3a and Linux? I’m mainly curious about calls. The last time I tried a Linux phone, only the PinePhone could reliably receive calls, because the modem is a separate board that wakes the main one on an incoming call.

          And the battery life was atrocious 😥

          • erebion@news.erebion.euEnglish
            2·
            3 days ago

            It mostly works fine.

            Note what doesn’t work well…yet:

            • camera: There are some wip patches, so that should improve in the next weeks. Currently photos do not look very good.
            • phone calls: Only through the phone, speakers and headphone jack, but not yet via Bluetooth
            • battery life: I think it’s better than on Android
            • phone calls on standby: That’s wip and will come, but for now you’d have to disable standby. Battery life is still what I’d describe as “good”, especially considering the age of the Pixel 3a

            The issue with waking up for calls is that you need to tell the modem what events you want to wake up for. Currently it is either “everything” or “nothing” and waking up from everything means constantly waking up as the modem reports the signal strength. That “filter” is currently being built, but I haven’t followed it closely so no idea whether it is ready now.

            If it is, I’d make sure this gets into Mobian, but not sure who’s working on it and who to ask.

              • erebion@news.erebion.euEnglish
                1·
                2 days ago

                The term would be “close to mainline”, some patches are still being sent upstream and getting merged. You could use a fully mainline kernel, but the sdm670 repo has better support for now. At least the day when everything is upstreamed will come.

                https://gitlab.com/sdm670-mainline/

              • erebion@news.erebion.euEnglish
                1·
                3 days ago

                Hey, great to see you here, flamingradian.

                For the others: The one that did sooo much work getting the kernel running well on the Pixel 3a :D

                Maybe you can elaborate a bit on the camera and what’s missing there to take full advantage of the camera and what’s missing for Bluetooth calls.

                I haven’t really followed those topics.

                And for sensors, I have another question: When I start hexagonrpcd on Mobian, the whole device seems to completely lock up. The screen just will be stuck until the battery runs out. Is that a Mobian issue or a kernel thing that also happens on pmOS?

  • Limerance@piefed.socialEnglish
    6·
    4 days ago

    Cute. Might buy and then play with it for an hour. Then put it with my other unused tiny computing devices.

    Could be nice as a controller for something portable.

  • onlooker@lemmy.ml
    11·
    3 days ago

    Not for me. The pogo pin modules might look nice, but they’re essentially just more moving parts that you can break and/or lose.