The creator of the PicoGUS is soon releasing a new product that will emulate IDE and ATAPI devices. Called the PicoIDE, it will have a fully open source firmware and hardware. Here are the announced features:

• Emulates ATAPI CD-ROM and IDE fixed hard drives

• .bin/.cue or .iso image support for CD-ROM

• .img/.hda/.vhd/.hdf for HDD

• Built-in CD audio output on 3.5″ jack and MPC-2 header

• Supports PIO modes 0-4 and multi-word DMA modes 0-2

• Optional front panel/3.5″ drive bay enclosure with:

• 1.3″ 128×64 OLED screen & 4-way navigation buttons

• WiFi for remote control and upload/management of disk images

• RGB activity LED

The PicoIDE will be great if you have a retro PC with IDE ports on its motherboard. It will make managing multiple OS installs easier. You can have separate hard disk images for DOS, Windows 98, etc. Having CD-ROM image support will also be convenient since you won’t physically swap discs and it can help reduce wear and tear on your CD-ROM drive. It will even support CD Audio, something software CD-ROM emulators in DOS can’t do.

No word on price or if there will be vendors prepared to sell it like there is for the PicoGUS. Since it is fully open source, if you have the skill, you can still build the device on your own. I’ll be sure to post information as I hear more updates on the PicoIDE. You can also sign up to be notified by email of the release on the official page.

Relevant Links:

• https://picoide.com/

• https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zjr2n3j7jfsmws3yrilwx3wd/post/3m54y7ju3ts2j

• Ian Scott’s support links:

• Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/polpo

• Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ianpolpo

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