History of video games/Platforms/LeapFrog Didj
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A LeapFrog Didj
History
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Launch
[edit | edit source]The system was announced on February 5th, 2008.[1] The Didj was marketed more as a gaming device with educational value, rather then an educational device with entertainment value.[2]
The Didj was launched in mid 2008.[2] The system cost $89.99 at launch with games costing $29.99.[1][3]
By February 2010 the system was being sold for as little as $25, gaining the interest of Linux enthusiasts looking for cheap portable computers.[4] By the middle of 2010 the device was discontinued.[5]
Legacy
[edit | edit source]As the system was popular with Linux enthusiasts, a surprising number of mods were developed for it. Such mods included adding MicroSD card capabilities or doubling the RAM to a capacity of 64 megabytes.[6]
Technology
[edit | edit source]The Didj was built on the Leapfrog Pollux Platform.[5] The Didj uses the same CPU as the GP2X at a lower clock speed, with software being relatively portable between the two.[5][7] This processor used a 32-bit ARM9 architecture.[1][4] Different sources list the processor clock speed at either 300 megahertz or 393 megahertz.[1][4] The system had 32 megabytes of RAM, with different sources listing either "DDRI" or "SDRAM".[8][4] The system graphics supported basic 3D with OpenGL ES 1.1 support.[4]
The system had 256 megabytes of internal storage, and cartridge media held 64 megabytes.[4]
The system used Brio Firmware.[4]
The Didj has a 3.2" screen with a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels.[4] The screen can output 16.7 million colors.[4] The system has unused composite out hardware, which can be enabled with modding.[9]
The system was powered by 4 AA batteries, with an optional $35 rechargeable NIMH battery pack available.[5][10][2] 35,000 early rechargeable battery packs sold between October 2008 were defective, and recalled on October 23rd, 2008 as they could burn the user, with one incident of a burnt hand reported.[10]
Games
[edit | edit source]Games could be enhanced with a custom vocabulary.[11]
References
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- ↑ a b c d "LeapFrog Leapster2 and Didj: Handheld Edu-Gamers For the Pre-iPod/Cellphone/DS Demographic" (in en-us). Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/leapfrog-leapster2-and-didj-handheld-edu-gamers-for-th-352886.
- ↑ a b c "LeapFrog Didj - Video" (in en). https://www.cnet.com/videos/leapfrog-didj/.
- ↑ "LeapFrog intros web-connected Leapster2 and Didj handhelds". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2008-02-05-leapfrog-intros-web-connected-leapster2-and-didj-handhelds.html.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i "Leapfrog Didj: Handheld Linux On The Cheap". Hackaday. 1 February 2010. https://hackaday.com/2010/02/01/leapfrog-didj-handheld-linux-on-the-cheap/.
- ↑ a b c d "Didj - eLinux.org". elinux.org. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ↑ "Didj Hacking: DJHI 2.8 Preorder". Hackaday. 18 April 2010. https://hackaday.com/2010/04/18/didj-hacking-djhi-2-8-preorder/.
- ↑ "Leapfrog Didj: Followup". Hackaday. 3 February 2010. https://hackaday.com/2010/02/03/leapfrog-didj-followup/.
- ↑ "LeapFrog Pollux Platform: Technical Details - eLinux.org". elinux.org. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ↑ "DIDJ Composite Video Out". Hackaday. 30 June 2010. https://hackaday.com/2010/06/30/didj-composite-video-out/.
- ↑ a b "Gaming System Batteries and Recharging Station Recalled by LeapFrog Due to Burn Hazard" (in en). U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 19 May 2016. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2008/gaming-system-batteries-and-recharging-station-recalled-by-leapfrog-due-to-burn-hazard.
- ↑ "Hands-on with LeapFrog's new edutainment lineup". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2008-02-17-hands-on-with-leapfrogs-new-edutainment-lineup.html.