Some more questions about software support. It seems the device is using android. Do you have any plan to support mainline linux kernel? It could allow the possibility to use native linux distro like PostmarketOS (https://postmarketos.org/) for device longevity. Your team could also benefit from delegating some softare support effort to linux kernel team.
we're open to it! we just need to better understand what resources we need internally to support this effort and for the specific mediatek/qualcomm chips we're looking at
Given the level of excitement around this, and the community expertise, if I were you I'd open up as much of the info as you legally can and let the community help. I think there's a decent chance that if you set up the framework, you may not have to do much to get it done. I would:
1. Create a github page where you include as much of the hardware info as you can
2. Include any custom kernel patches that you have for the hardware (I'm pretty sure this is legally required anyway because of GPL on the kernel, so this could double as fulfillment of publishing/distribution)
3. Let people go at it! Early on I expect a community leader (usually a top contributor) will emerge that you can work with to get it done. I suspect you wouldn't have to do a whole lot (beyond information sharing) to get stuff mainlined and even prebuilt distros assembled for the device!
Even if it doesn't work, it's not a big investment and it gives you a massive amount of credibility with the community.
+1. Especially since you drew the comparison yourself to the Pebble watch. Shelling out that much money on a product that might fail is a draw back. Tinkering on this infinitely knowing I could load whatever software is attractive.
Plus I think the Linux crowd would eat up a monitor that lets users bask in the feeling of nostalgia of a terminal with limited color.
I, for one, would love to finally work outside/well lit places using g a terminal and not having to crank my brightness
