Update 10.2.08: Pandora's developers have apparently been able to negotiate an increased first run, and they've now stated that anyone ordering before Sunday, October 5, 2008 will receive a unit from the initial batch.

In only the first 24 hours of pre-ordering availability, the Pandora open-source gaming handheld has completely sold out its initial 3,000-unit run, with organizers now trying to ramp up production for another 1,000 products. The Linux-powered device, retailing for $329, has a rather unique pedigree, in that it was developed based on feedback and suggestions from thousands of forum users -- who themselves had congregated to discuss yet another emulation-focused handheld, the GP2X from GamePark Holdings. Meant to play copies of games originally released for the PC plus a number of consoles from Nintendo, Sega, and several now-defunct manufacturers, Pandora has thus been built with powerful components such as a 600MHz+ ARM processor, dedicated media co-processor, and a 4.3-inch WVGA screen, the same resolution as the latest smartphones from HTC and Sony Ericsson. Unless changes are made to previously-announced plans, the next batch of machines won't be produced until 2009. Originally published on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 11:57AM.

[Via Engadget]