PDA!

[Nullbear]

So, This isnt exactly official yet, But how do you think of this 48x48 pda?
The idea is that Its more responsive than the old ones, has more detail, looks sleeker, And is actually informative.
Now you can tell if theres an ID in it, A pen, or a cartridge/aicard

There will also be a few new features to them:
- When the news feed updates, if they're configured for it, they will show a green "new!" icon.
- When you have a new message, It'll beep/boom/whatever and a golden "new!" will show up.
- If you're lookin at news, It'll be more obvious.
- If you're in a syndie shop sorta thang, The pda glows red.
- There will be an ability to hack and lock pdas. Locking a pda effectively freezes it. Useful for keeping people from deleting messages, and exiting illegal shops.
- Hacking will prevent a PDA from ever being locked, unlocking it in the process, and allow for non-standard cartridges. Can be done by putting an emag in the id slot, a special cartridge, or by CT. Hacking cannot be undone, so best not let anyone know you have a hacked pda.
- You can use pda's to hack, and access networks, or just work as a station bounced radio. You can do this by extending the antenna.
- You can turn on and off pdas. This must be done to take it apart, and a few other things. There'll be a boot animation+sound when its official.

You may have already noticed the forum got some new icons, i figured it would be fun. They're relevant to the pda.
Oh, and heres a peek at the WIP PDA with all the overlays included.

[Nullbear]

PDA's will have a battery life, Although a ridiculously long one.
Flashlight mode will now be perpetually on, unless the pda is turned off. Chalk it off to a bright backlight.

Oh yeah, one more thing, Since the corporation is chinsy, You wont be issued pda's. You'll have to pay for them yourselves.
Its an investment, but a likely profiteable one, Especially since it lets you store a pen, fits in your ID slot, And access a whole whackload of things. For only 700Cr! What a steal!

Try not to break it...

[spheretech]

I like it. Who sprited it?

[Nullbear]

Me <_< I still need to do some tweaking and make the text look better etc. Theres also a few little goofs I've spotted already. But its a good draft.

I'm really proud of myself for the electro-antenna thing idea...

[Nullbear]

Even newer! i think im happy with it now:



Moved antenna to left, And pen to right top.

Plugged the cartridge in all the way.

Made it shorter, But its no longer paper thin.

Added a plug slot, for attaching to other devices, plugging it in, etc.

[Hydre]

This is amazing. You mentioned hacking the PDA, will it also be possible to modify your PDA in some ways? Like things from attaching an extended battery pack, long range communications to more "illegal" mods like a detonation attachment or EMP functionality? Or will that be covered by cartridges?

[Hate9]

This looks awesome!
Will you be able to put PDAs in assemblies?

[Nullbear]

PDA's are assemblies. You will be able to take them appart into their separate components when they are off, Or add other components to them. They would be a great way to better understand the prototype system.

Yeah, There would be ways to illegally modify them, Cartridges and the Plugin port are solely the "soft" ways of modifying them.

EMP functionality would be harder, especially since it would effectively destroy itself if that happened, but with the right casing and materials, it could become possible.