Cross-eyed with Pockit, the world’s leading multi-function docking computer

Pockit is a promising modular platform.

Modular computers and mobile devices that can be assembled are not yet developed, but many organizations and individuals are already doing so. Many years ago, Google killed the modular smartphone project called Project Ara, but assembled laptop models like Framework Laptop and GPD Pocket 3 are now on the market.

Smaller companies like Fartphone and Pine64 have also started selling smartphones with components that can be easily upgraded and replaced.

Some blocks of Pockit Project

Pockit is another promising modular platform. This system allows you to put together a series of blocks to add or remove hardware into a small computer model.

Pockit has been in development since 2019, and until recently, developer Anil Reddy said that hardware designs are being finalized, a first batch of goods will be produced soon. Reddy also posted a demo video showing what the Pockit ecosystem will look like in the early stages.

For example, the Main Module (Compute Module) with the brain of the Raspberry Pi 4 can be configured to be used as a handheld computer with a small screen and QWERTY keyboard or a phone or similar device. tablet with a larger touch screen simply by docking the appropriate modules into the main module via the multi-connector panel.

Just add a battery block and you have a mobile device to use when you need to move. And when you don’t need a standalone computer, you can use Pockit as an IoT device by attaching blocks like sensors, cameras, microphones, speakers or other blocks to it.

In the demo video, Reddy also shows that Pockit can be used to control lights and smart fans via voice control just by swapping blocks.

Some other blocks let you add things like HDMI or USB ports, an SD card reader, or even an SSD. Each block will be fixed to the board by magnetism and they can communicate with each other.

Pockit is more than simply a Raspberry Pi computer that can switch between desktop and mobile use. It is a system that allows you to mix and match modules to change the functionality of your hardware on the fly.

It’s exciting to think about the future where you can add or remove cameras, sensors or other devices to a smartphone just by replacing a block. Systems like these are especially relevant for developers, manufacturers, educators, and students.

Each module is a 3D printed block containing electronic circuitry and a universal connection system with integrated magnets that allows you to snap the hardware into place and experiment with it. At this stage, it’s unlikely that Pockit is suitable for you to put in your pocket like a smartphone or can maintain its shape when dropped to the concrete floor. However, it is interesting to see how versatile it is in the demo video that developer Reddy posted.

Last year, Reddy first revealed his Pockit Project and then it was only equipped with Raspberry Pi 3+. Currently, the latest version has been upgraded to the much more powerful Raspberry Pi CM4.

Reddy also creates a web-based Dashboard with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to monitor and configure the system. The dashboard can be accessed from Pockit itself or from another device and it displays connected blocks in real time and allows you to install applications that can be used with existing hardware.

For an indie developer like Reddy, Pockit is truly a great achievement. Hopefully he will continue to improve and upgrade so that Pockit can be more complete and soon be on the market.

(Refer to Quantrimang)

https://gamek.vn/lac-mat-voi-pockit-chiec-may-tinh-lap-ghep-da-chuc-nang-hang-dau-the-gioi-20220404181926926.chn