Traditionally Qualcomm Application Processor have mostly been found in tablets, smartphones, and in development board such as the company’s own Mobile Development Platforms (MDP) or MyDragonBoard boards. But recently, a Snapdragon S4 has found its way into a smartwatch and today, I’ve found an upcoming, or maybe not, media player powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 600. Beside Qualcomm quad core Krait SoC, Qubi Android media center features 2 GB RAM, 16 GB NAND Flash, dual band Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac, Gibabit Ethernet, and more.
Here are the specifications of the device:
- SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Quad Core Krait CPU @ 1.7 GHz with Adreno 320 GPU
- System Memory – 2GB RAM
- Storage – 16GB NAND Flash + microSD slot
- Connectivity – Dual band Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac, Gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth 4.0
- Video Output – HDMI with HDMI-CEC support
- Audio Output – HDMI, optical SPDIF
- Video – 1080p video decoding
- USB – 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x USB 3.0 port
- Misc – IR receiver
The device is also said to support Miracast, Dolby & DTS audio decoding, HDMI pass-through, and there will be a customized and “streamlined” version of XBMC install in the box. As you can see from the picture above, the enclosure for the player has not been done yet, but they have a working demo on a prototype PCB which is currently running Android 4.2 with a customized UI, but the version may be upgraded at the time of release (July 2014). That’s one of the rare media player with Wi-Fi ac which should be able to stream any 1080p videos you throw at it, as well as Gigabit Ethernet which may not be that useful in this type of device.
A dual sided remote will also be included with one size used as a standard remote, and the other a QWERTY keyboard, with both sides backlit. Using a Wi-Fi direct connection, it will also function as an air mouse, and the built-in microphone will be useful for voice command and Skype. There’s also an headset jack for the same purpose.
There’s no included game controller, but the company recommends Moga Bluetooth controller to play games with Qubi, and probably other Android devices.
The 8-minutes video demo below shows the prototype board and remote, the Android UI, their version of XBMC, and some games (Riptide 2, Shadowgun).
The company is looking for funding via Kickstarter to complete development, and manufacture at least 4,000 units. The early bird pledge is $129 for Qubi and its remote, and the regular pledge is $149. Add $30 for shipping if you live outside the US. The price is actually quite aggressive considering the hardware provided, but the expected delivery (July 2014) may have put off some people for this type of device, as they’ve only received about $26,000 in pledges out of the $500,000 requested with 14 days left to go, so the product may never see the light of the day. Their XBMC source code modifications will apparently be made available in September 2014, based on the $30 pledge to get the source only (People who pledged for the box will get the code for free if they ask).
Via Google+.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Spot on about the delivery time comment.
Hardware wise it looks to be an absolute beast and it has everything including hdmi pass through. The price is fantastic as well.
They should have delivered the box by mid jan with JB and left things like the custom xbmc (or dual boot Linux, drool) till July. It would have attracted the home theatre crowd and the mini pc crowd and People wouldn’t be put off y wait times.
I
m not keen on "custom XBMC", hopefully you will be able to install standard XBMC. Im just not sure if they will support it for long, and we don`t realy need another XBMC split.@Kyle
I doubt January would have been feasible for the hardware, but something like late February or March should be. They’d have received funds in December, then about 90 days to be ready for manufacturing (they mention 60 to 90 days).
With this price, they could even sell it with stock Android as you pointed out. If the hardware would have been ready in March, and their project needs more time because of software development, as their kickstarter page implies, they may just have been too early with their campaign to be successful.
I am the founder of Qubi just wanted to confirm you will have the option to run the Qubi launcher or stock XBMC as part if the startup wizard
If Tom Cubie were Apple he’d sue over the name :p
I hate to say this but by the time this box is released we will probably have
octa-core based boxes on the market already.
It wouldn’t surprise me if we see several on expo at the next CES show
in Vegas this coming January 2014.
These were demoed at this past January CES show in Las Vegas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drmCRHR_Wbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm1oqaV4CRg
i like the android experience i would rather have a android system with xbmc in it rather then ruining xbmc with apk files i wonder if this will go into production if does it will sell. because i think snapdragon is all ways less headache when it comes to comparability with gpu and android apps
I agree with others here about skipping custom XBMC, better put time and money into the hardware and use stock XBMC to be able to deliver the box earlier.
Why it doesnt have internal hard drive? or at least more nand, i am the unique that is thinking that it isnt enough space? When tv box with internal storage, similar to mele machines but internal? I want a arm computer, no half arm computer 🙁
@Joe Bucks
MPQ8064 is the same chipset I am using, it is purpose built for set top boxes so there is a huge potential for future development…. There may be 8 core devices in the future but if they use chips that are built for Tablets or Phones they may end up like the F9 a great idea but not so good in implementation.
so qualcoom release linux drivers for ubuntu
https://developer.qualcomm.com/mobile-development/maximize-hardware/mobile-gaming-graphics-adreno/tools-and-resources?utm_source=exacttarget&utm_medium=email
https://developer.qualcomm.com/blog/guest-blog-video-conferencing-linux-qualcomm-snapdragon-600-processor?utm_source=exacttarget&utm_medium=email