CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

January 4, 2013January 11, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

$159 CuBox Pro: Open Source Development Platform Based on Marvell ARMADA SoC

Back in 2011, SolidRun unveiled the CuBox, a miniature open source development platform based on Marvell Armada 510 SoC (88AP510) and aimed at applications such as multimedia, set-top-box, network attached storage (NAS), thin client, digital signage, automation… SolidRun has now announced an upgraded version called CuBox Pro based on the same platform but with 2 GB RAM, and a redesigned casing. Here are the specifications of this development platform: Marvell Armada 510 SoC – 800 MHz dual issue ARM PJ4 processor, VFPv3, wmmx SIMD and 512KB L2 cache. 2GByte DDR3 at 800MHz 1080p Video Decode Engine OpenGL ES 2.0 graphic engine HDMI 1080p Output (with CEC function) Gigabit Ethernet, SPDIF (optical audio), eSata 3Gbps, 2xUSB 2.0, micro-SD, micro-USB (console) Standard Infra-red receiver for 38KHz based IR controllers. No JTAG required. Unbrickable for Developers (i.e. you can’t brick the device to the point you have to physically remove the flash, burn it […]

January 4, 2013November 23, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Archos TV Connect Android 4.1 Set-top Box Powered by TI OMAP4470

Archos has just announced the Archos TV connect compromised of a touch remote and an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean set-top box and that be placed on to top of your TV. The Android 4.1 media player is powered by a multi-core 1.5GHz processor with 1 GB RAM and 8GB flash. The touch remote allows you to control your TV just like a tablet with tap, swipe, zoom in, zoom out, select or type. Archos did not divulge the complete specifications of their new device, but we have to following info for now: SoC – 1.5 GHz Smart MultiCore processor (Arctablet reports it’s powered by TI OMAP 4470) System Memory – 1 GB RAM Storage – 8 GB Flash memory + micro SDHC Slot up to 32 GB Connectivity: Ethernet Wi-Fi USB – Micro USB port + USB host port Video Output – mini HDMI Camera – HD front camera Misc […]

ArmSoM CM5 Raspberry Pi CM4 alternative with Rockchip RK3576 SoC

January 3, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

PlayJam GameStick Console-On-a-Stick Powered by AMLogic AML8726-MX

OUYA is not the only Android device specifically targeting games anymore, as PlayJam has launched a kickstarter campaign for the GameStick, a combo Android 4.1 HDMI TV dongle + BlueTooth game controller that you should be able to get by April 2013 with a $79 pledge. The neat thing is that it’s highly portable as the dongle fits inside the controller for transport. However, I don’t find the design of the controller as beautiful as OUYA controller. The specs of the GameStick do not quite have the same oomph as the OUYA either, but it should still play most Android games smoothly: SoC – Amlogic AML8726-MX dual Cortex cortex A9 @ 1.5 GHz + dual core Mali-400 GPU System Memory – 1GB DDR3 Storage – 8GB FLASH Video Output – HDMI. Final product will also feature MHL, but current prototypes are powered via USB. Connectivity: WiFi – 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth […]

January 3, 2013May 29, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 37 Comments

Smallart U-Host AllWinner A10 mini PC is Available for $20

Last July, I reviewed Smallart U-Host (U1A), an Android TV stick based on AllWinner A10 with 1GB RAM and 4GB RAM. At the time, I had a positive opinion of the device as the Android firmware was stable, and mostly did it was supposed, and it was feasible to run Linux distributions on the device. At that time, it was sold for $70, but this morning, Clint, one of my reader, informed me he spotted an AllWinner A10 device selling for $20.50 on Dealextreme. This device and the user interface resembles very much to Smallart U-Host, but the model name reported on Dealextreme is U2. According to Smallart U2 page, this device is based on Rockchip RK3066, so it’s just another naming mistake on DealExtreme. The rest of the specs are identical to Smallart U-Host: SoC – Allwinner A10 (Cortex A8) @ 1.5GHZ System Memory – 1GB DDR3 RAM Storage […]

January 3, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

Canonical Announces Ubuntu for Phones

Canonical has just announced the Ubuntu for Phones platform that will allows users to have similar experience on desktops (Ubuntu Desktop), TVs (Ubuntu TV) and smartphones, avoiding the need to learn 2 different platform for the desktop and mobile devices. The user interface replaces the “Lock screen” with the “Welcome screen” (As shown in the middle of the picture above), which shows notifications and user data as you turn on your device. The user interface mostly eliminate buttons, and you can access features by swiping the edge of the phone. A swipe on the left edge will show the dash bar, giving access to most used apps and dash search, a swipe on the right edge will cycle through your opened apps, a swipe at the top will give access to notifications and allow changing settings right from there, and a swipe at a button will allow you to customize […]

December 31, 2012May 29, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

Tronsmart Prometheus: $99 Spaceship-like Android Media Player Based on AML8726-M6

Most media players just look like a boring black or white box, but Tronsmart Prometheus proves it does not have to be that way, as this model comes in the shape of a spaceship. This box running Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean is based on AMLogic AML8726-M6 dual core Cortex A9 processor with 1GB RAM and 4GB Flash. Here are the specs of this spaceship media player: SoC – AMLogic AML8726-M6 Dual Core up to 1.5GHz with Mali-400 GPU System Memory – 1GB DDR3 RAM Storage – 4GB NAND Flash + SD card slot Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 10/100 Ethernet (RJ45) USB – 3x USB 2.0 Host ports. N.B: The specs mentions 3x USB outside, and 2x USB inside. But after a closer inspection of the casing and PCBA pictures, I can only shows 3 ports. Video output – HDMI and composite Video Codecs – MPEG-2, H.264,MPEG-4,VC-1… at 1080P Audio Codecs – […]

December 31, 2012December 31, 2012 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

XBMCHUB to Give Away Jynxbox Android HD Media Players

XBMCHUB has announced the launch of a giveaway to promote XBMCHUB.com and expand this community that provides third party add-ons for XBMC, and the most active members of the community will get one of the 4 Jynxbox Android HD media players available. But before going into details about XBMCHUB “competition”, let’s have a look at the hardware. Specifications: SoC – Amlogic AML8726-M3 Cortex A9 CPU @ 1.2GHz with Mali 400 GPU System Memory – 1GB RAM DDR3 Storage – 4GB Nand Flash + MicroSD slot (Up to 32GB) USB – 3x USB 2.0 Host ports Connectivity Wifi – 802.11b/g/n 10/100 Ethernet Video Output – HDMI 1.3 Misc – IR Sensor for remote Video container formats – AVI, MKV, TS, TP, TRP, M2TS, MPG, MP4, MOV, M4V, VOB, IFO, DAT, WMV, ASF, RM, RMVB, FLV, XVID, DIVX 3/4/5 up to 1080p resolution Audio formats – MP3/ OGG/ WMA/ WAV/ AAC/ FLAC […]

CNX Software – Embedded Systems News