I like to write about innovative products here on CNX Software, but it’s not easy to understand why Monohm Runcible, that can be seen as a round phone/table or a huge watch, ever came to existence. But who knows maybe people will find uses, and it’s rather cool looking with its round display and nature themed wooden or stone back covers.
Runcible thing specifications:
- SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 quad core Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.2GHz, with Adreno 306 GPU and Hexagon v5 DSP
- System Memory — 1GB LPDDR3 RAM @ 533MHz
- Storage – 8GB eMMC 5.0 flash
- Display — 2.5″ circular 640 x 640 display (256dpi)
- Audio – 1x analog in/out jack with other I/O audio interfaces on main board
- Connectivity – 802.11b/g/n WiFi,Bluetooth 4.1, Qualcomm IZat Gen 8C GPS/GLONASS, and “hopefully” 4G/LTE data
- Camera – 7 MP rear camera (up to 13-megapixels for hackers)
- USB – USB 2.0 client/host port
- Misc – 2x BLSP 4-pin ports configurable as I2C, SPI, UART, or GPIO
The hardware is fairly similar to DragonBoard 410c development board plus the display, case and 4G support, and it even have some I/Os to connect external hardware. Runcible runs BuniOS based on Android 5.1, and making use of the Crosswalk project. While it has most of the same features of a phone, it still lacks amicrophone and speaker, so you’d have to wear headphones via connected the audio jack or Bluetooth to be able to make phone calls. The company stresses that the project is being developed in a sustainable manner with development & manufacturing done in California, and some materials (e.g. wood) also sourced from the state.
Runcible developers aim to raise at least $250,000 via a fixed funding campaign launch on Indiegogo. The device does not come cheap though, as you’ll need to pledge at least $399 to get it with a recycled plastic cover, and $499 for a madrone wood cover to get it delivered (hopefully) in September 2016. Shipping adds $15. You can also visit http://mono.hm to find out more about the device, and the company’s software projects.
Via Liliputing
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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Nice principle. Very expensive. Does not look handy or useful to me. So … maybe something for hipsters?
Yep … San Fran hipster crap
Well that does look groovy and dare I say bodacious, I am no hipster 🙂
I’d say it’s for hipsters, but I’m not a hipster, and it appeals to me. I’m not going to be getting one though, not at that price…