Zeebo: a new "cheap" console without JVM

General Discussions
#1

Hi!

The Zeebo is a video game machine that provides graphics at the level of a PS2 and that allows to download games through the 3G network. However, the (BREW-based) SDK allows to use C++ only, there is no JVM. Is it another fail for Java? What can we do to change this?

http://www.zeeboinc.com/

This machine is compatible with OpenGL-ES.

[quote]Sun Java Virtual Machine (JVM) on Qualcomm’s BREW Mobile Platform This demonstration highlights the tight integration of JVM with the BREW Mobile Platform and Windows manager, and the accessibility of Java applications via BREW Mobile Platform’s home canvas.
[/quote]

#2

It isn’t that hard to write a Java interpreter. I just wrote one in Java (…), and it’s certanily doable in C in limited timespan. Just don’t expect any raw performance, but 90-99% of the time is probably spent in OpenGL calls. A lot of cool things can be done with crappy performance.

Also, don’t start any effort on supporting this thingy, until it is a success.

#3

HAHA, it never will be.

the graphics of a PS2?

unless it is like $15, then it isnt gunna be that big.

the 3G is nice though :slight_smile:

#4

Yes I should wait for some months to see how it evolves.

#5

Slashdot: Taking Gaming To the Next Billion Players

Makes a lot more sense now.

#6

What do you mean? Do you find this machine interesting?

#7

What do you mean?

I mean the whole thing makes more sense in this context.

Do you find this machine interesting?

A 500mhz ARM CPU is too slow (and too different). Something like the N270 Atom would have been more usable. What we got here is basically a cell/smart phone. If you want many sprites you’ll need lots of very low level optimizations (similar to old arcade hardware). That’s simply not feasible for small teams or one-man-armies.