Posts: 107
Threads: 22
Joined: May 2006
First question is: do you want to design a calculator or a high-tech handheld computing device? The former may make sense while the latter doesn't. There are far too many PDAs & Co out there on the market.
So, here's my wishlist:
- Very portable and robust design, i.e. Voyager-like.
- Very low battery usage, again like the Voyager series.
- Two line LCD dot matrix display with around 30 digits/line.
- Multiple data types: True integer, high (i.e. 30 digit) precision real and complex, matrices and strings, like the 49G/42S.
- Switchable between RPN and ALG mode (default: RPN :-) )
- Keystroke programmable for those beloved quick'n dirty programs.
- Inductive I/O interface for fast data exchange without draining the batteries and without (corroding) contacts.
- Enough RAM (without exaggerating it)
To complement that, PC/MAC software should be available to do offline program development for the calc using a cross compiler. Advantage: outperforms keystroke programming for larger applications, resulting code is quicker than keystroke user programs. And less instructions mean a longer battery life :-)
...what a dream!
Pascal