Patchsets for Nvidia Tegra K1 “Denver” Submitted to Linux Mainline

Some patchsets have been submitted for Nvidia Tegra 132 a few days ago to the Linux ARM Kernel mailing list. Tegra 132 is the codename for the 64-bit version of Tegra K1, and they’re also a mention of Norrin64 FFD board, that should be a Chromebook reference design.

Tegra114 and Tegra124 are the codename for Tegra K1 32-bit processor with Tegra124 clocked at a higher frequency. Norrin64 board dts does not seem included in the patchsets, but it’s available from Chromium OS code, and shows it’s using 2GB RAM too. That also means Chrombooks like Acer Chromebook 13 (CB5) or  HP Chromebook 14 with the 32-bit version of the Tegra K1 might soon get an upgrade to the 64-bit version. Thanks to David for the tip.

PC Partner N258N1-F is a Linux mini PC Powered by Nvidia Tegra K1 Processor

Nvidia has done a great job porting Linux to their Tegra K1, and it’s one of the only ARM processor with a GPU supporting OpenGL, which helps a great deal with Unity for example. Nexus 9 supports Ubuntu (somewhat), and platforms like Jetson TK1 board are suitable to developers, but as I and others wondered why nobody ever made a Tegra K1 mini PC, I’ve been informed that such device existed already with PC Partner’s N258N1-F mini PC. N258N1-F technical specifications: SoC – Nvidia Tegra K1 quad-core ARM Cortex A15r3 processor with Kepler GPU System Memory – 2 GB RAM Storage – 16 GB eMMC + SD card slot Video Output – HDMI up to 3840×2160 @ 30Hz, 4096×2160 @ 24Hz or 3200×2000 @ 60 Hz Audio I/O – HDMI, headphone jack, and microphone jack Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi (with external antenna connector) USB – 2x USB 2.0 […]

ArmSoM RK3588 AIModule7 NVIDIA Jetson Nano-compatible SOM

Meet the First Nvidia Tegra X1 “Tablet”: Nabi Big Tab XL

Nvidia announced their latest Tegra X1 processor at CES 2015 earlier this week, and after showcasing it’s computing and power-saving capabilities, the company focus on its applications: automotive dashboard and driverless cars. Nothing about tablets, or gaming consoles, probably because these two are more cost sensitive than the automotive market. But finally, we’ll see at least one tablet powered by TX1: Nabi Big Tabs. I say “tablet”, but at 55″ to 65″, it’s more like a TV with a touchscreen… Fuhu actually announced four TV sized Big Tab XL tablets. The “small” ones with 32″ and 42″ FullHD displays come with a Tegra K1, while the larger ones (55″ and 65″ / 4K UHD) are powered by a Tegra X1 processor. Here are some of the specs for the tablets: SoC Nvidia Tegra K1 quad-core Cortex A15 processor @ 2.3GHz with 192-core Kepler GPU or Nvidia Tegra X1 octa-core Cortex […]

AllWinner A64 is a $5 Quad Core 64-bit ARM Cortex A53 SoC for Tablets

Allwinner already announced H64 octa-core Cortex A53 processor for OTT boxes together with Nobel64 development board in the last quarter of last year, and the Chinese silicon manufacturer has now introduced Allwinner A64 quad core Cortex A53 processor for entry-level tablets, as the processor will only cost $5 per unit in large quantities. As usual, Allwinner only provided a subset of information for their first announcement, and some technical details like the GPU are unknown. Key features listed for Allwinner A64: 64-bit Cortex-A53 architecture Supports H.265/H.264 video decoding in hardware, and supports HDMI 4K display Supports various DDR memory types, making the BOM cost more competitive Supports eMMC 5.0 for better IO performance and enhanced data throughput capacity Allwinner SmartColor display technology for more vivid and eye-pleasing visual experience Supports Trusted Firmware security architecture from ARM The company is finally moving to a device tree enabled kernel with Linux 3.10, and Allwinner 64-bit ARM tablets will also run Android 5.0 Lollipop. Hopefully, this processor implements proper H.265 hardware decoding, not GPU accelerated decoding as in Allwinner A80 processor. Interestingly neither Allwinner A64, nor Rockchip RK3368 announced recently, support VP9, despite it being the codec of […]

$100 Razor Forge TV Android Game Console Runs Android TV on Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 Processor

Some Android games console are getting quite powerful, after the Tegra K1 based OBox, Razor Forge TV is an Android game console powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, and instead of running Android 4.4 or 5.0 for tablets, it’s running Android TV, and a separate app called Razer Cortex Stream will even let you play PC games on the console,  possible the same way Nvidia demonstrated at CES 2013. Razor Forge TV specifications: SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad core Krait 450 CPU @ 2.5GHz per with Adreno 420 GPU System Memory –  2GB RAM Storage – 16GB Video Ouput – HDMI 1.4 output Connectivity –  Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless 802.11ac 2X2, Bluetooth 4.1 + HS USB – 1x USB 3.0 port Power – N/A Dimensions –  105mm X 105mm X 17mm The console supports up to 4 wireless game controllers, as well as voice search via a mobile app. You […]

Unboxing of Zidoo X9 Android HDMI Video Recorder and Media Player

Zidoo X9 Android media player is powered by Mstar MSO9180 quad core Cortex A9 processor, supports 4K video output and decoding, H.265 codec, a USB 3.0 port for (hopefully) fast external storage, and in HDMI input port that allows you to record video from another HDMI input device to a USB mass storage device, or micro SD card. GearBest sent me one of the first sample, so let’s have a look at the device itself, and its boards, because getting to the full review next week. Zidoo X9 Pictures I received the parcel the exact same day, GearBest provided the tracking number, together with some invoice for custom duty, DHL duty handling fee, and VAT. The large black package has a few scratches, and makes it clear the device is called X9. Some of the main features are also mentioned on the package: 4K, 3D video, quad core, Bluetooth 4.0, […]

Rockchip RK3568, RK3588 and Intel x86 SBCs and SoMs in 2025

Easily Create an Android Bootable SD Card for Allwinner A80 Devices with PhoenixCard Tool

We’ve already seen how it was possible to boot Linux or Android on Rockchip RK3288 devices from an SD card, which involved getting the stock firmware and running some scripts in Linux. Today, Freaktab member no_spam_for_me found out how to create a bootable SD card for Tronsmart Draco AW80 Meta, and other Allwinner A80 devices using PhoenixCard 3.09 tools for Windows (The latest version should be available @ http://dl.cubieboard.org/model/cc-a80/Tools/Flash-firmware-tools/). There may also be a way to use LiveSuit tools for Linux, but this have not been tested. Once you have installed the tools, start it, and  load the firmware by clicking on “Img File” button (Here Draco AW80 Finless 1.1 firmware was used). Then press DiskCheck to scan for storage devices, and select your SD card in the drop-down menu “disk” (not sure why it’s blank in the screenshot above), select “Startup !” write mode, and click on the “Burn” […]

LinkIt A-Core Packs Mediatek MT2502A SoC into a Tiny Module for Wearables

LinkIt ONE is a development board based on Meditak MT2502A SoC for wearables, and developed by SeeedStudio. With GPS, Wi-Fi, and GSM/GPRS connectivity, and a LiPo battery, it’s great to experiment IoT or wearable applications, but if you plan to launch an actual product, it could be nice to have a module, and built a baseboard around it. That’s exactly what SeeedStudio is working with LinkIt A-Core module. LinkIT A-Core module specifications: SoC – Mediatek MT2502AV ARM7 SoC @ 260 MHz with 32MB PSRAM and 32MB Flash on-chip. External Storage – 16M external Flash (MX25U12835F) Cellular Connectivity – GSM/GPRS quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz with RF7198 RF transmitter. Connectivity – Bluetooth 2.0 / 2.0 EDR / 4.0, GPS compatible GPS/GNSS (requires external GPS module) Expansion – 48 general purpose digital I/O Power supply: DC 3V~4.2V Power Consumption – > 3mA Dimensions – 19x23x2 mm The module is still in development, and the company welcomes […]

Boardcon CM3588 Rockchip RK3588 System-on-Module designed for AI and IoT applications