Beelink A9, soon to be sold as Tronsmart A928 or Zero Devices Z6C, is a yet another RK3188 box with 2GB RAM, and 8GB Flash running Android 4.2, upgradeable to Android 4.4.2, and if it was not one of the four devices with Android 4.4.2 SDK I may not have decided to write about it. But since it should be more easily hackable with the SDK release, although with caveats, it becomes much more interesting. 
A9 Specifications:
- SoC – Rockchip RK3188 quad core Cortex A9 @ 1.6Ghz with Mali-400MP4 GPU @ 533MHz
- System Memory – 2GB DDR3
- Storage – 8 to 16 GB eMMC flash + microSD slot (up to 32GB)
- Video Output – HDMI
- Audio I/O – HDMI, S/PDIF, 3.5mm audio out jack, built-in MIC.
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.0
- USB – 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG port
- Misc – IR sensor, power LED, power and update button, 2x (internal, optional?) RS232 ports.
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Weight – 225g
- Dimensions – 140mm x 65mm x 59.5mm
The eMMC flash is said to allow for 17MB/s write speed, and 300MB/s read speed, the firmware supports 720p webcam, and OTA updates (I’d assume if the reseller enables it ). The company can also provide BL-P7 gamepad (pictured on the right) with the box, compatible with over 400 games, but the look is quite different from Z6C game controller.
Standard accessories provided with the device include an HDMI cable, an AV cable, a power supply, and an IR remote.
The device is not available right now for retail, and price has not been disclosed, although for reference only, Tronsmart A928 showed up shortly for $92.99 before being removed from GeekBuying website. There’s no product page on Shenzhen AW Technology / Beelink website, but you can download A9 user’s manual.
There’s one caveat to the SDK release. As pointed out by one reader, the firmware is still using Linux 3.0.36 which means some of the new features introduced in Android 4.3 and 4.4 such as Bluetooth LE, and printing may not work. I’ve just read on MINIX Facebook page, that MINIX does not intend to release Android 4.4.2 with Linux 3.0.x, and instead is waiting for a proper SDK for Android boxes with an upgraded kernel that will better support Android 4.4, and be available at the end of February, so Android 4.4 firmware should be available in March or April.
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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