Commodore USA

The Commodore Phoenix was a keyboard computer resembling an updated style of the Commodore 64.{{cite web |url=http://evergeek.com/News/3438.aspx |title=Commodore 64 to reboot as 'Phoenix' |publisher=Evergeek |accessdate=November 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815221849/http://evergeek.com/News/3438.aspx |archive-date=August 15, 2011 |url-status=dead }} It was originally designed and manufactured by Cybernet as a space-saving workstation.

{{main|Commodore 64x}}

File:C64x side.png

The flagship product for Commodore USA, named the Commodore 64x, was contained in a partially redesigned and updated Commodore 64 form factor. The machine looked like the original Commodore 64, except with a slightly updated keyboard and power supply. The base model has an Intel Atom processor and an NVIDIA Ion 2 graphics card. The top version released on August 13, 2011 was called the "C64x Extreme" and featured an Intel Core i7 CPU with 8 GB RAM and 3 TB hard drive using the Intel Sandy Bridge chipset.{{cite web|last=Jacobsson |first=Sarah |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/224722/new_commodore_64_is_finally_herefor_real.html |title=New Commodore 64 is Finally Here-For Real! |publisher=PCWorld |date=April 8, 2011 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} There was also a barebones version of the C64x shell without a motherboard, power supply, or optical drive or hard drive, that was meant to encourage hobbyist enthusiasts to install their preferred Mini-ATX motherboard.

File:Vicslim.png

The revamped Vic product line{{cite web|url=http://geekbeat.tv/new-commodore-64-vic-slim-vic-pro-available-for-pre-order-new-amigas-coming-soon/ |title=New Commodore 64, Vic-Slim, Vic-Pro Available for Pre-Order, New Amigas Coming Soon | Geek Beat Technology News |publisher=Geekbeat.tv |date=August 1, 2011 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}{{cite web|last=Hachman |first=Mark |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383185,00.asp#1_undefined,0_ |title=Commodore Announces New Commodore64, VIC Computers | News & Opinion |publisher=PCMag.com |date=April 6, 2011 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} is a group of keyboard computers with original Commodore function keys. The Vic Slim had a keyboard that was the same size as most extended keyboards, but used a relatively slow Intel Atom CPU.{{cite web|work=CommodoreUSA.net|url=http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_VicSlim.aspx|title=Commodore VIC-Slim|accessdate=3 Jan 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228164749/http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_VicSlim.aspx|archive-date=28 December 2011|url-status=dead}} The Vic Pro was a keyboard computer that also contained a built-in touchpad, memory card reader, and two fans.

A product line of Amiga branded x86 computers based upon the Intel i7 chipset featuring emulation of the classic Amiga systems built-in.{{cite web|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Commodore-Amiga-AROS-Commodore-64-amiga-retro,11205.html |title=Commodore Launching Amiga-brand Desktops |publisher=Tomshardware.com |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}{{cite web|author=Time to create page: 2.87 seconds |url=http://www.commodore-amiga.org/en/forum/5-commodore-amiga-hardware-wishlist-/3013-the-amiga-500x-reumors |title=The Amiga 500X reumors |publisher=Commodore-amiga.org |date=April 13, 2011 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}

The only available Amiga sold so far is the Amiga Mini {{cite web |url=http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_AMIGAmini.aspx |title=Commodore AMIGA mini |accessdate=2012-04-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415220151/http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_AMIGAmini.aspx |archivedate=2012-04-15 }} which was a barebone computer. The Amiga Mio was offered as a refresh of the Amiga Mini, but was discontinued on November 4, 2013.{{cite web|title=Forum Update: Product Lineup|url=http://forums.commodore.net/showthread.php?1229-Forum-Update-Product-Lineup&p=2144&viewfull=1#post2144|accessdate=15 February 2013}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

As of November 11, 2011, Commodore USA has released a beta version of Commodore OS, a Linux Mint-based operating system to be used throughout its product range. It is a media center operating system, bundled with a variety of free open source software. The full version of this beta operating system is available only systems purchased from Commodore USA.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.commodore-amiga.org/en/forum/7-commodore-os-configuration-and-themes/2826-how-commodore-os-could-look?limit=15&start=30 |title=How Commodore OS Could Look |publisher=Commodore-amiga.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} It does support emulation of some of the previous Commodore operating systems.{{cite web|url=http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/04/06/1924207/The-New-Commodore-64 |title=The New Commodore 64 – Slashdot |publisher=Hardware.slashdot.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}

Commodore USA consistently focused{{cite web|author=AussieAmigan |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzsmiuEYUQY |title=Commodore Phoenix Triple OS Boot |publisher=YouTube |date=July 19, 2010 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} on bundling an alternate operating system, preferring Linux. It previously claimed that their machines support every operating system available from Ubuntu specifically, to Windows and even OSx86,{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/blog/computers/latest-commodore-64-incarnation-hopes-whats-old-is-new-again/1833 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515041300/http://www.zdnet.com/blog/computers/latest-commodore-64-incarnation-hopes-whats-old-is-new-again/1833 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 15, 2010 |title=Latest Commodore 64 incarnation hopes what's old is new again |publisher=ZDNet |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} but disclaiming that they do not and will not sell Mac OS X. Commodore USA's online store sold Microsoft Windows separately and bundled Linux in their keyboard computers. Later, Commodore USA announced that they would officially support, develop, and ship their computers with AROS,{{cite web|author=on 08/31/2010 17:11 PST |url=http://www.ubergizmo.com/2010/08/commodore-usa-to-release-aros-supporting-desktops/ |title=Commodore AROS – Commodore USA to release AROS-supporting desktops |publisher=Ubergizmo |date=August 31, 2010 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} but shifted their focus on redesigning Linux as Amiga Workbench 5, and Amiga Workbench X, but decided to name it Commodore OS and dropped all plans of making it resemble an Amiga-like operating system due to additional legal proceedings.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.commodore-amiga.org/en/forum/27-commodore-usa/3656-amigaos-4?limit=15&start=45#4132 |title=AmigaOS 4 |publisher=Commodore-amiga.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}

Examples of announced products that appear to have been cancelled are Invictus{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5554750/commodore-invictus-keyboard+computer-specs-bests-the-asus-eee-keyboard |title=Commodore Invictus Keyboard-Computer Specs Bests the Asus Eee Keyboard |publisher=Gizmodo.com |date=June 3, 2010 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} and Amigo.{{cite web|url=http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52243 |title=Commodore USA introduces new Amigo computer!! |publisher=Amiga.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=4603&post_id=40385 |title=Commodore Amigo [Forum – General chat |publisher=AROS-Exec |accessdate=November 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726060017/http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=4603&post_id=40385 |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |url-status=dead }} The Commodore USA website was redesigned and an interactive forum was launched at the same time. High-end Amiga-PC designs were posted on the website. The company licensed the Commodore brand from Commodore Licensing, BV on August 25, 2010. It licensed the Amiga brand from Amiga, Inc. shortly afterwards on August 31.

Barry Altman, founder of Commodore USA, died on December 8, 2012. The molds and existing stock for the Commodore C64x were sold to My Retro Computer Ltd in the UK {{Cite web |last=jaypeg |title=About Us |url=https://myretrocomputer.com/about-us/ |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=My Retro Computer |language=en-US}} who continue to sell units in a variety of colors and up to date configurations.{{Cite web |last=jaypeg |title=Selecting Your Components |url=https://myretrocomputer.com/selecting-your-components/ |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=My Retro Computer |language=en-US}}

Commodore USA has been criticized for altering previously announced plans,{{cite web |url=http://www.lamerexterminator.com/35/commodore-usa-and-aros-its-not-a-love-story |title=Commodore USA and AROS, it's not a love story | Lamer Exterminator |website=www.lamerexterminator.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613005729/http://www.lamerexterminator.com/35/commodore-usa-and-aros-its-not-a-love-story |archive-date=13 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=56724 |title=Workbench 5 renamed Commodore OS |publisher=Amiga.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} threatening legal action against an OS News writer's article,{{Cite web|url=http://www.osnews.com/story/23756/Commodore_USA_Threatens_OSNews_with_Legal_Action|title = Commodore USA Threatens OSNews with Legal Action – OSnews}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.osnews.com/story/23993/Commodore_USA_s_CEO_Retracts_Legal_Threat_Apologises|title = Commodore USA's CEO Retracts Legal Threat, Apologises – OSnews}} and mistakenly attempting to obtain licensing from a Commodore licensee unauthorised to sublicense.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/commodore-gaming-disavows-commodore-usa-and-its-decals/ |title=Commodore Gaming disavows Commodore USA (and its decals) |publisher=Engadget |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.osnews.com/story/23753/Commodore_Gets_Rights_to_Amiga_Hyperion_Takes_Legal_Action|title = Commodore Gets Rights to Amiga, Hyperion Takes Legal Action – OSnews}} Commodore USA was alleged to have used various images, artwork, and designs without the permission of the original authors.{{cite web|url=http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=33650&forum=17 |title=The Amiga Computer Community Portal Website |publisher=Amigaworld.net |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://chipmusic.org/forums/topic/2232/commodore-usa-announces-the-pc64-pc-in-a-replica-commodore-case/ |title=Commodore USA announces the PC64. PC in a replica Commodore case (Page 1) – Commodore Computers – Forums |publisher=ChipMusic.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=54252&page=5 |title=Barry Altman and Commodore USA – Page 5 |publisher=Amiga.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} Apparently they chose to do so in some cases because they could not contact the creators to ask permission.{{cite web|url=http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=54428 |title=Commodore USA |publisher=Amiga.org |date=September 14, 2010 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} Further controversy surrounding the company's image use policy revolved around alleged photographs of the C64x assembly line in China, revealed to have been old promotional images for a facility in Augsburg owned by Fujitsu.{{cite web|url=http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=33812&forum=17&start=60&viewmode=flat&order=0#618370 |title=The Amiga Computer Community Portal Website |publisher=Amigaworld.net |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}

Some of Commodore USA's announced products were cancelled since their announcement due to intellectual property disagreements, most notably concerning the rights of licensor Amiga Inc. with regards to the possible use of AROS in future Amiga systems from Commodore USA. Others have simply been cancelled as the business plan evolves away from their sector of the market.

Lance Ulanoff writing in PCMag criticized the new Commodore 64 as a "none-too-cheap imitation of the real thing",{{cite web|last=Ulanoff |first=Lance |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383266,00.asp |title=You Can Keep Your Fake Commodore 64 | Lance Ulanoff |publisher=PCMag.com |date=April 7, 2011 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} criticizing it for using modern components. Commodore USA has responded to this position by pointing out the high cost of researching and developing original chipsets, and the relative expense and lack of mass-market software support for other CPU ISAs such as Power ISA or Motorola 68000 family.{{cite web|author=Time to create page: 1.63 seconds |url=http://www.commodore-amiga.org/en/forum/6-commodore-os-software-development/418-re-workbench-5-question-thread#418 |title=Workbench 5 Question thread |publisher=Commodore-amiga.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}

Commodore USA attempted to address these concerns by announcing Commodore OS, intended to be released with Commodore USA systems. Their new Amiga product line is not compatible with original Amiga systems including the operating system, AmigaOS which is in fact developed by a separate company. Commodore USA originally intended to develop an AROS to be bundled with their Amiga systems,{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.commodore-amiga.org/en/forum/27-commodore-usa/4000-re-amigaos-4#4000 |title=AmigaOS 4 |publisher=Commodore-amiga.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011}} however this plan was later publicly discarded by CEO Barry Altman.{{cite web |url=http://www.amiga.org/forums/showpost.php?p=578528&postcount=183 |title=View Single Post – Amiga PCs on the way |publisher=Amiga.org |accessdate=November 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928105746/http://www.amiga.org/forums/showpost.php?p=578528&postcount=183 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

{{reflist}}

{{Portal|Amiga|Linux}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110622053418/http://www.commodore-amiga.org/ Company Forum - Defunct]
• [http://www.commodoreusa.net/ Company website - Defunct]

{{Commodore International}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Commodore Usa}}

Category:Computer systems companies

Category:Amiga companies

Category:American companies established in 2010

Category:American companies disestablished in 2013

Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States

Category:Defunct computer hardware companies