Category: Hardware

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments on Parallella Desktop Computer Board Price Drops to $99 (Temporary)

Parallella Desktop Computer Board Price Drops to $99 (Temporary)

Parallella “super computer” board with Xilinx Zynq-7010 ARM+FPGA SoC and Adapteva’s 16-core Epiphany coprocessor may have started at $99 uring their Kickstarter campaign, but once the board became more broadly available, price started at $119 for the microserver version, and $149 for the desktop computer version which adds a micro HDMI port, a micro USB port, and some expansion I/Os. But to get rid of some stock, the company has decided to temporary decrease the desktop version price to $99 on Amazon. Let’s remind us of the desktop computer board specifications: SoC – Xilinx Zynq Z7010 dual-Core ARM Cortex A9 with 512KB L2 Shared Cache + Artix-7 FPGA with 28K logic cells Coprocessor – 16-core Epiphany-III processor System Memory – 1GB DDR3 Storage – micro SD slot + 128Mb quad SPI flash Connectivity – 10/100/1000M Ethernet Video Output – 1x micro HDMI USB – 1x micro USB host port Expansion […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments on Ruach A20s is a $35 Android TV Box Powered by Rockchip RK3128 SoC

Ruach A20s is a $35 Android TV Box Powered by Rockchip RK3128 SoC

Ruach A20 was a media player based on Allwinner A20 processor released about a year ago. Now Ruach Electronics launched an updated model featuring Rockchip RK3128 quad core Cortex A7 processor with the somewhat confusing name Ruach A20s. Ruach A20s specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3128 quad core ARM Cortex A7 @ 1.2 GHz with ARM Mali-400MP2 GPU @ 500 MHz System Memory – 1 GB DDR3 Storage – 8 GB NAND flash Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi Video Output – HDMI 1.4 up to 1080p, composite (RCA) Audio Output – HDMI, stereo audio output (RCA) USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports Misc – IR sensor, power button (mechanical On/Off switch), recovery pin hole Power Supply – 5V/2A Dimensions – 11.8 x 7.8 x 3.0 cm The features and ports are just like the older model, so the main difference is really only the Rockchip processor. The model still […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 31 Comments on IoT Wi-Fi Modules Comparison Table – ESP8266 vs CC3000 vs RN131 vs HDG204

IoT Wi-Fi Modules Comparison Table – ESP8266 vs CC3000 vs RN131 vs HDG204

We now have several options to add WiFi to IoT / embedded projects at relatively low cost, and ESP8266 based solutions clearly wins on costs, but are there some advantages to other higher priced modules? To help us find out, Mike Barela has put up a comparison table with some Wi-FI modules based on Espressif ESP8266, Texas Instruments CC3000, Microchip RN131, and H&D Wireless HDG204 processors. Note 1 – Also comes in Arduino Shield size with SD card slot for $39.95 Note 2 & 3 – Adafruit and Sparkfun sell tested units with AT Firmware for $6.95. lower prices are available on eBay, but quality may vary. Note 4 – Currents are probably somewhat higher than stock ESP-12 due to onboard LED and regulator. The comparison is not exhaustive, but it still appears to show ESP8266 solutions support most features than pricer competing modules. There are however case where competing […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 29 Comments on Tronsmart Draco H3 TV Stick Firmware and SDK Released

Tronsmart Draco H3 TV Stick Firmware and SDK Released

Tronsmart Draco H3 is a low cost HDMI TV stick powered by Allwinner H3 quad core processor. At $35, the device costs about $5 more than Amlogic S805 based sticks like MK808B Plus with about the same specs (quad core Cortex A7/A5, 1GB RAM, 8GB flash, HDMI out..), but with the added benefit of 4K @ 30Hz support. Tronsmart has now released some firmware files as well as Linux kernel and an Android SDK. Two firmware files have been released: Tronsmart_Draco_H3_720p_Kernel_20150526.zip – Firmware with 1280×720 framebuffer for better performance Tronsmart_Draco_H3_1080p_Kernel_20150526.zip – Firmware with 1920×1080 framebuffer for higher resolution Please note that the resolution will only affect the user interface, and when you play videos you should get the resolution selected in Android settings. So if you play a 4K videos it will truly show as a 4K video on your TV, even though the user interface is only 720p, at […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on Inforce 6410Plus Qualcomm Single Board Computer Adds GPS, MIPI CSI and DSI Interfaces

Inforce 6410Plus Qualcomm Single Board Computer Adds GPS, MIPI CSI and DSI Interfaces

[Update on June 16 with comments from Inforce Computing: The Inforce 6410Plus is a product/application ready SBC that can be mass-manufactured to be designed-in directly by OEMs into end-products. Of course developers, DIY enthusiasts, and research houses may use it as a development board, but essentially it’s a product ready SBC. CSI and DSI interfaces – A single 40-pin LSHM MIPI connector on the previous generation product has been replaced with a single 51-pin FI-R MIPI CSI connector. A single connector enables support for 2 cameras/up to 20MP. Similarly, we’ve replaced the LVDS interface with a single 51-pin MIPI-DSI connector that supports two simultaneous displays. ] Inforce IFC6410 board is one of the few low cost Qualcomm Snapdragon development boards / SBCs available on the market. Released in 2013, it features a Snapdragon 600 processor (APQ8064) coupled with 2GB RAM, 4GB eMMC, and various connectors. Inforce Computing has now introduced […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on BQ Introduces Its Second Ubuntu Phone: Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition

BQ Introduces Its Second Ubuntu Phone: Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition

BQ launched the first Ubuntu phone to the market with Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition, but it felt quite low end with a 540 x 960 display and 8GB storage. They company has now announced another version with the same processor, but larger 5″ display with a higher resolution (720p) and 16GB storage. BQ Aquaris E5 HD specifications: SoC – Quad core Cortex A7 @ 1.3 GHz with Mali-400MP2 GPU up to 500 MHz (likely Mediatek MT6582) System memory – 1 GB Storage – 16 GB eMMC, microSD card (up to 32 GB) Display – 5″ IPS multi-touch screen (5-point); 1280 x 720 resolution Connectivity – Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS Cellular Connectivity –  2G GSM (850/900/1800/1900),  3G HSPA+ (900/2100). Dual micro SIM. Audio – 3.5 mm headphone jack, microphone, Ambient noise cancellation, Camera – 5MP front-facing camera, 13MP rear camera with autofocus and dual flash USB – micro USB […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 19 Comments on FirePrime Board Features Rockchip RK3128 Quad Core Cortex A7 Processor

FirePrime Board Features Rockchip RK3128 Quad Core Cortex A7 Processor

The team behind Firefly-RK3288 development board has designed a new board with the less powerful but cheaper and more power efficient Rockchip RK3128 quad core Cortex A7 processor. FirePrime comes with 1GB RAM, 8GB Flash, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and various other ports and expansion headers. As with many other new development boards, Firefly team has gone with a baseboard + system-on-module design (mini PCI-e connector), and will certainly sell the module separately to companies who want to design their own baseboard. Fireprime board specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3128 quad core ARM Cortex A7 @ 1.3 GHz with ARM Mali-400MP2 GPU System Memory – 1 GB LPDDR2 @ 533 MHz Storage – 8 GB NAND flash + micro SD slot Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0 (AP6212 module) Video Output – HDMI 1.4 output, CVBS (AV) as well as MIPI and LVDS via expansion headers […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 12 Comments on $59 Zidoo X1 Android TV Box Powered by Allwinner H3 SoC

$59 Zidoo X1 Android TV Box Powered by Allwinner H3 SoC

Allwinner H3 based Android TV boxes have been selling for a few months for $80 or less, and Draco H3 HDMI TV stick even goes for just $35. Zidoo has been working on their own Allwinner H3 platform called Zidoo X1 for a little while, and they are about to launch it for $59 (MSRP). Zidoo X1 specifications: SoC – Allwinner H3 quad core ARM Cortex A7 @ 1.5GHz with quad core Mali-400MP2 @ 600 MHz System Memory – 1 GB DDR3 Storage – 8 GB NAND flash (16GB in option) + micro SD slot up to 32GB Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi Video Output – HDMI up to 4K2K @ 30Hz, AV Audio Output – HDMI, AV, and optical S/PDIF Video Codec – H.265/HEVC up to 4K30, 1080p60 decoding for H.264, VP8, MPEG-1/2,  MPEG-4, H.263. WMV9, VC1, etc… USB – 2x USB 2.0 host ports Misc – […]

UP 7000 x86 SBC