Hardware Category - Page 869 of 1116 - CNX Software

October 14, 2015October 14, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

BLOCKS Modular Smartwatch Replaces the Watchband With Smart Modules (Crowdfunding)

While Project Ara aims to create a modular smartphone, the guys behind BLOCKS have designed a modular smartwatch with the Core (the main watch) and various hot swappable smart modules that clip together with a clasp make the watch band. BLOCKS’ Core specifications: SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor System Memory – 512 MB RAM Storage – 4GB flash (ePoP) Display – 1.36″ round display, resolution: 360 pixels diameter Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 Sensors – Accelerometer / Gyro Audio – Microphone Misc – Power button, vibration motor IP Rating – IP67 (but target is IP68) Battery – 400 mAh battery; good for ~1.5 days on a charge Dimensions – TBD Weight – TBD So the Core module is already a standalone smartwatch on its own, and they do provide one without module, but just a simple strap. The watch runs a modified version of Android Lollipop, and […]

October 14, 2015February 12, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 26 Comments

Linux Quick Start Guide for Roseapple Pi Board based on Actions Semi S500 Processor

Roseapple Pi is a development board powered by Actions Semi S500 processor with 2GB RAM, a USB 3.0 port and more, that is based on Actions Semi Bubblegum-S500 reference design also used by Lemon Pi board. The team behind the project sent me an early sample to try it out. I’ll take some pictures, before explaining how to install and setup Debian 8.1, and how to build and run your own minimal image from source. These instructions should also work for Lemon Pi and LeMaker Guitar boards. Roseapple Pi Photos I received the board in a bubble envelope with a thank you letter, and the board itself in an anti-static bag. No other accessories were provided. Ports, connectors, and headers from top left counter-clockwise: 4-pin UART console, two USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, 10/100 Ethernet, a 40-pin Raspberry Pi comptabile header, a MIPI DSI connected, a micro USB […]

October 13, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

MeegoPad T02 Intel TV Stick with Ubuntu 14.10 Now Sells for $72

MeegoPad T02 has been around for a while running either Windows 8.1, Ubuntu, Android, or dual booting the operating systems. But in what might now be the cheapest Ubuntu computer based on an Intel processor, MeegoPad T02 pre-loaded with Ubuntu 14.10 is now selling for $72 shipped on GearBest. As a reminder, here are Meegopad T02 specs: SoC – Intel Atom Z3735F “Bay Trail” quad core processor @ 1.33 GHz (Burst frequency: 1.83 GHz) with Intel HD Gen 7 graphics System Memory – 2 GB DDR3L-1333 Storage – 32 GB eMMC + micro SD slot up to 64GB Video & Audio Output – HDMI 1.4, 1x audio jack Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi USB – 2x USB host ports, 1x micro USB 2.0 port Misc – Power button Power Supply – 5V/2A via micro USB port. Dimensions – 12.0 x 4.3 x 1.0 cm Weight – 55 grams The package […]

October 12, 2015January 19, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

MeLE PCG03 Plus mini PC Gets Cherry Trail x5-Z8300 Processor

Beside MeLE PCG02 TV stick with Ethernet, MeLE also showcased an upgraded version of its MeLE PCG03 mini PC with MeLE PCG03 Plus replacing Atom Z3735F processor with a more recent Intel Atom “Cherry Trail” x5-Z8300 processor. MeLE PCG03 Plus specifications show they’ve only changed the processor: SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8300 “Bay Trail” quad core processor @ 1.44 GHz (Bust freq: 1.84 GHz) with Intel HD Gen8 graphics System Memory – 2 GB DDR3L Storage – 32 GB eMMC + SD card slot Video Output – HDMI 1.4, and VGA Audio I/F – HDMI, 3.5mm earphone jack Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0 USB – 3x USB 2.0 host Misc – Power Button, power LED, Kensington security lock Power Supply – 12V/1A Dimensions – 150 x 120 x 40 mm There should be some performance improvements over the previous model, but nothing phenomenal. MeLE PCG03 […]

October 12, 2015April 8, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

MeLE PCG02 Intel TV Stick Features an Ethernet Port

I’ve previously reviewed MeLE PCG01 TV stick powered by Intel Atom Z3735F, and found it to be well designed, without overheating issues, so that this Intel TV stick performed just as well as as bigger mini PCs. NotebookItalia found out that the company is now about to launch a new version at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair 2015. MeLE PCG02 is still based on the same Bay Trail processor, but it interestingly comes with an Ethernet port rarely found on TV sticks. Apart from the extra Ethernet port taking the place of one USB port, the specifications are pretty similar: SoC – Intel Atom Z3735F “Bay Trail” quad core processor @ 1.33 GHz (Bust freq: 1.83 GHz) with Intel HD graphics Gen 7 (2W TDP) System Memory – 2 GB DDR3 Storage – 32 GB eMMC + micro SD slot Video & Audio Output – HDMI Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, […]

October 12, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

PicoZed SDR (Software Defined Radio) System-on-Module Supports 70 MHz to 6.0 GHz Frequency Bands

PicoZed SoM based on Xilinx Zynq-7000 series SoCs was introduced in 2014 by Avnet. The company has now introduced a new version specifically designed for software designed radios which combines Zynq-7035 SoC with Analog Devices AD9361 RF transceiver supporting 70 MHz to 6.0 GHz frequency bands. Target applications include portable agile wireless communications, P25 public safety Radio, point-to-point communication, femtocell & picocell base stations and portable instrumentation. PicoZed SDR SoM specifications: SoC – Xilinx Zynq XC7Z035-2L FBG676I AP SoC with a dual core Cortex A9 processor @ 800 MHz and Kintex-7 FPGA with 275K logic cells System Memory – 1GB DDR3L SDRAM Storage – 256Mb QSPI Flash, microSD Card Interface Network Connectivity – 10/100/1000 Ethernet PHY USB – USB 2.0 OTG ULPI PHY I/Os – 205+ User I/O + 4 GTX channels Radio Transceiver – Analog Devices AD9361-BBCZ integrated RF Agile Transceiver with: 2 × 2 RF transceiver with integrated […]

October 10, 2015March 15, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 26 Comments

WeTek Core 4K Media Player Unboxing and Teardown

WeTek Core is the latest media player from WeTek Electronics, based on Amlogic S812-H processor with 2GB RAM, and 8GB flash. By default, it will ship with Android 5.1 using DRM libraries enabling Netflix HD, but you’ll also be able to install OpenELEC, and later on Lubuntu once/if the community gets involved like for WeTek Play. The company sent me one sample, and I’ll start by checking out the device and internal hardware. WeTek Core Unboxing That’s the package which lists the specifications and provides links to WeTek Facebook page and forums. The box ships with a 12V/1A power adapter with clippable US, EU and UK plugs, an HDMI cable, WeTek’s IR and RF 6-axis remote control with voice search function, a small (and cool) tool for firmware updates, and a blue document showing the device’s ports. The power button and LED are located on one of the corners at […]

October 10, 2015October 10, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

$249 TI AM437x Starter Kit for Industrial Design Launched by Element14

Element14 has recently launched their “Texas Instruments AM437x Starter Kit” based on Sitara AM4378 Cortex A9 processor, including a board and touch screen LCD, and targeting industrial, HMI (Human Machine Interface) and networking applications. Element14 Texas Instruments AM437x Starter Kit specifications: SoC – Texas Instruments Sitara AM4378 ARM Cortex A9 processor @ 1 GHz with PowerVR SGX530 GPU System Memory – 1GB DDR3L SDRAM (2x 4-Gb Micron chips). Storage – 64MB SPI NOR Flash (MX66L51235FMI), serial EEPROM with board specific data, 1x micro SD slot Display – 4.3″ Capacitive Touch LCD Connectivity – 2x 10/100/1000M Ethernet RJ45 ports (Micrel KSZ9031RN transceivers), support for COM8 form-factor wireless boards via J20 Samtec card edge connector. USB – 1x USB 2.0 host port, 2x micro USB ports Camera – 2x 12 header for custom-made camera module from TI Audio – TLV320AIC3106 audio codec, 2x audio jacks for headphone out, and Line In Sensors […]