Jose Angel Torres
Hardware Engineer · Polymath · Entrepreneur
Creator of 8bitcollective and the world's first USB programmable gameboy cartridge. Lead Electrical Engineer on PocketCHIP at Next Thing Co. Founder of Source Parts.
About Me
I'm a polymath with a passion for hardware engineering, entrepreneurship, and building communities. My journey spans from creating the iconic 8bitcollective (8bc) in 2004—a pioneering platform for chiptune music—to inventing the world's first USB programmable gameboy cartridge, revolutionizing how musicians and developers interact with classic hardware.
As the lead Electrical Engineer on the PocketCHIP and CHIP Pro Development Kit at Next Thing Co., I helped bring accessible computing to makers worldwide. My work bridges the gap between vintage hardware and modern technology, always with an eye toward innovation and accessibility.
Six years ago, I moved to China, where I immersed myself in the heart of hardware manufacturing. I learned Mandarin on the spot and gained unprecedented insights into the lifecycle of electronics—from manufacturing to reverse-engineering. This experience has given me a unique perspective on building secure, innovative devices from the ground up.
I run multiple businesses and continue to explore the intersection of hardware, software, and community building. My work is driven by curiosity, technical excellence, and a commitment to making technology more accessible and understandable.
Experience
Founder & CEO
Source Parts Inc.
Founded and leading electronics component sourcing and supply chain company, leveraging deep China manufacturing expertise. Providing electronics sourcing solutions for hardware companies and makers, built on years of hands-on experience in hardware development and manufacturing.
Lead Electrical Engineer
Next Thing Co.
Led electrical engineering efforts on PocketCHIP and CHIP Pro Development Kit, bringing accessible computing to makers worldwide. Responsible for hardware design, manufacturing oversight, and ensuring quality across international supply chains.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow
CalTech / NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Selected as Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow through the New York Space Grant program. Conducted advanced research at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, contributing to cutting-edge aerospace and technology projects in collaboration with leading scientists and engineers.
Founder & Creator
8bitcollective (8bc)
Created 8bitcollective in 2004, a pioneering online community and platform for chiptune music. Invented the world's first USB programmable gameboy cartridge, revolutionizing how musicians interact with classic gaming hardware.
Notable Projects
8bitcollective (8bc)
2004Founded the pioneering online community for chiptune music, bringing together musicians and developers from around the world. Built a platform that became the hub for Game Boy music creation.
USB Programmable Gameboy Cartridge
2005Invented the world's first USB programmable gameboy cartridge, enabling musicians and developers to easily load custom software onto Game Boy hardware without specialized equipment.
PocketCHIP
2016Lead Electrical Engineer on the PocketCHIP, a portable computer designed for makers and learners. Oversaw hardware design and manufacturing for this accessible computing platform.
CHIP Pro Development Kit
2016Led development of the CHIP Pro Development Kit at Next Thing Co., creating tools and documentation for developers building IoT and embedded projects.
Junkyard Secure Phone Research
2023Deep research into building secure phones from reverse-engineered components in Shenzhen. Explored the complete manufacturing and reverse-engineering ecosystem for modern devices.
Interested in collaborating or learning more about my work?
Get in TouchPublic Talks
Building a Junkyard Secure Phone
2023Hackaday Supercon
Shared the process of transforming reclaimed components into a secure mobile device, covering sourcing in Shenzhen, hardware reverse engineering, and trust in custom builds.
