iCracked, a company selling and repairing iPhones, has designed a thin and battery powered mobile Linux server called Ocean. The device is powered by Allwinner A20 processor with 1GB RAM, 4GB flash completed with 8 to 64 GB internal storage (SD card), and runs Debian 8.1 Jessie.
Ocean mini server specifications:
- SoC – Dual core ARM Cortex A7 processor @ 1.0 GHz
- System Memory – 1GB DDR3 @ 480 MHz
- Storage – 4GB flash for firmware, 8 to 64 GB internal SD card
- Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi up to 72 Mbps, and Bluetooth 4.0 LE + EDR with 10 dBm Antenna
- USB – 1x USB 2.0 host port, 1x mini USB for power
- Misc – Programmable RGB button
- Battery – 4,200 mAh; good for two days of continuous CPU usage; Charged via mini USB port (~4 to 5 hours) or Qi charger (~10 hours)
- Dimensions – 15 x 7.8 x 1.2 cm (Aluminum/plastic frame)
- Weight – 170 grams
Ocean is in some ways a high-end alternative to Zsun SD11x WiFi flash drive, with a more powerful processor more memory,, a larger battery and Bluetooth LE. The device can also be used as a power bank supporting 500 mA to 2A output. The company does not mention Allwinner A20 at all, but considering it’s a dual core Cortex A7, and Debian will run on top of an old Linux 3.4.105 kernel, that’s certainly Allwinner’s processor… Some parts of the specs also claim USB 3.0 support, but it should probably read as “compatible with USB 3.0 devices” instead, since USB 3.0 device will work in a USB 2.0 port, but just at lower speeds (480 Mbps).
There’s also a web interface to control the device, but you can also connect to it via SSH, or a REST API.
The product is still in development, but you can already order a Beta version with 16GB internal SD card for $149 which will be shipped in February 2016. Versions with 32 and 64 GB storage can be pre-order now, and will ship in April 2016 for respectively $179 and $199. You can find more info and order a sample on GetOcean.io.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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May as well put an HDMI port on it at that point
@deets
They wanted to optimize battery life. That’s why they said they did not include an HDMI port in their FAQ.
Crazy price + doesn’t A20 have SATA?
I fail to see the point of that product ? What problem does it solve ?
Nowadays it is easy to find a powered usb port where you can plugin your device, even my AVR has powered usb ports. Cubieboard.org has a whole range of devices with similar spec ?
I’ don’t understand the point of it also. It should a least have a sata connector for more storage capacity and 2 ethernet ports especially for 180$.
Why do they use such an old kernel if it doesn’t have HDMI out? The mainstream kernel has run very well on A20 for a while now. The only reason to use the old kernel would be compatibility with the Mali driver.
@Roel
Exactly, I could use it as a SD card offload bank.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Make it so the HDMI port is only enabled when external power is supplied? Maybe its really about heat from the GPU and additional processing load in a compact battery enclosure? Although there were 7″ A20 tablets right?