Samsung Introduces Exynos 7870 Octa-Core Processor for Mid-Range Smartphones

Usually the higher the model number, the faster the processor, but not with Samsung, as the company’s new Exynos 7870 processor will feature eight ARM Cortex A53 cores @ 1.6 GHz coupled with an ARM Mali-T830MP GPU. It will be manufactured with 14nm FINFET process which should reduce power consumption by 30% compared to 28nm process. The processor also include an LTE Cat.6 2CA Modem that supports 300Mbps downlink speed and FDD-TDD joint carrier aggregation. Multimedia capabilities include 1080p 60fps video playback, 1920×1200 display resolution, and 16MP front or camera support (8MP in dual camera configuration) via its image signal processor (ISP). Exynos 7870 processor will also integrate a GNSS solution that delivers fast time-to-first-fix (TTFF) feature. In the recent pas, low and mid-range SoC were usually manufacturer with 28nm process due to the high cost of 14nm process, but those costs must have come down dramatically, after Snapdragon 625 […]

Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition Smartphone is Powered by Exynos 7420 Processor, Does NOT Support Desktop Mode Yet

So far most smartphones with alternative operating systems had rather low-end to mid-end hardware specifications, but according to OMG! Ubuntu!, Canonical and Meizu are about to change that, as they should be about to launch an Ubuntu Edition of Meizu PRO 5 smartphone with an Exynos 7420 octa-core Cortex A57/A53 processor coupled with 3 to 4GB RAM, 32 to 64GB storage., and a 5.7″ display with 1920×1080 resolution. The device will support convergence, meaning it could work in mobile or desktop mode, just like the recently announced BQ Aquaris M10 tablet. [Update: Finally, the USB-C port on Meizu PRO 5 does not support external display, so no convergence, unless Canonical decides to implement convergence over Miracast…]. Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition specifications: SoC – Samsung Exynos 7 Octa (Exynos 7420) octa core processor with 4x Cortex A57 core @ 2.1GHz + 4x Cortex A53 cores @ 1.5Ghz, and Mali-T760 MP8 GPU […]

NexDock is a 14″ Lapdock Alternative for mini PCs, Development Boards, Smartphones and Tablets (Crowdfunding)

Motorola once launched the Lapdock, a device that looks like a laptop with a 11.6″ screen and a keyboard, but without processor or memory since it was instead designed to connect to the company’s Atrix 4G smartphone. Motorola eventually pulled the plug on this concept, and maybe it was just ahead of its time, as a startup has now developed NexDock, a device similar to Lapdock with a 14″ display, built-in battery and Bluetooth keyboard. NexDock technical specifications: Display – 14.1″ TN screen; 1366×768 resolution; 16:9 display ratio Bluetooth 4.0 keyboard and touchpad Video input – mini HDMI port Audio Output – 3.5mm headphone port Storage – micro SD card slot USB – 2x USB ports Battery – 3.8V / 10000mAh Li-ion battery Power – 5V/2.5A via 3.5mm power barrel Dimensions – 351 mm x 233 mm x 20 mm Weight – 1490 grams NexDock is operating system agnostic and would […]

Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon Wear 2100 for Smartwatches, 3 New Cortex A53 Mobile SoCs

Qualcomm has unveiled four new Snapdragon processors with three quad and octa core Cortex A53 processors for smartphones with 4G LTE connectivity, and a new wearables SoC with lower power and, area compared to Snapdragon 400 series processor often used in smartwatches. Snapdragon Wear 2100 SoC is the first processor part of Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear, of new platform targeting wearable devices, with the company listing the following highlights: Quad core Cortex A7 processor @ up to 800 MHz or 1.2 GHz Adreno 304 GPU 30% smaller than Snapdragon 400 25% percent lower power than Snapdragon 400 Integrated, ultra-low power sensor hub Available in both tethered (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) and connected (4G/LTE and 3G via X5 LTE modem) pin-to-pin compatible versions The SoC supports Android Wear, and Android, and should be found in smart watches, smart bands, smart eyewear and smart headsets. Snapdragon Wear 2100 and other Snapdragon Wear products are […]

ProView S3 Affordable 3-Axis Smartphone Stabilizer Helps Shooting Better Videos (Crowdfunding)

Smartphone stabilizers (aka gimbals) for smartphones allow you take much better videos while on the move, as they smooth the shaking that occurs when you walk, run, or bike. Stabilizers are currently available, such as KumbaCam or other white brand stabilizers, are sold for $250 to $400, but Navin, a Taiwanese company, has designed a cheap video stabilizer for smartphones with ProView S3 that starts at $125 + shipping via Indiegogo. ProView S3 3-axis stabilizer can handle larger size smartphones, features orientation sensors, precision motors, and stabilization algorithms to provide smooth video recording. Some of ProView S3 specifications and features include: Adjustable mount from 67mm to 78 mm width Wind resistant thanks to algorithms and mechanical design Connectivity – Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless firmware updates Dual IMU sensors with tilt, roll, and pan motors. Underslung shot- You can take videos upside down too… 4 operational modes – Full Lock (no […]

Gladius GT-500 Rugged Android Smartphone Features a Built-in Barcode Reader, LTE Connectivity

ARBOR technology has introduced Gladius GT-500 “5” Rugged Android Handheld Device” running Android 5.1 on MediaTek MT6735 quad core processor, with LTE connectivity, IP67 rated, and featuring a build-in 1D/2D barcode reader with physical trigger buttons. Gladius GT-500 smartphone specifications: SoC – Mediatek MT6735 quad core Cortex A53 processor @ 1.3 GHz with ARM Mali-T720 GPU System Memory – 2GB LPDDR2 Storage – 16GB eMMC flash + 1x micro SD slot up to 32GB Display – 5″ TFTP LCD; 1280×720 resolution; 5-point glove-friendly projector capacitive touch screen; 400 cd/m2 brightness Cellular Connectivity 2G GSM/GPRS/EDGE (Band 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900) 3G WCDMA (Band 1,2,5,8) 3G CDMA2000 (BC0/BC1) 4G FDD+TDD (Band 1,3,5,7,8,20,38,39,40,41) 4G DRX (Band 1,3,5,7,8,20,38,39,40,41) SIM Sockets – 1 x micro-SIM (3FF) socket supporting 2G/3G/LTE; 1 x micro-SIM (3FF) socket supporting 2G only Other Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1 (BLE, HS compliant), NFC, and GPS/GNSS/Beidou Camera – […]

Mediatek Introduces MT6738, MT6750 & MT6750T SoCs for Entry Level LTE Smartphones

Mediatek will soon launch three new mobile SoCs based on ARM Cortex A53 cores and Mali-T860 GPU, as well as support for LTE Cat.6 modem, with MT6738, MT6750 & MT6750T processors targeting entry-level Android smartphones. All three processors are manufactured with 28nm process, support up to 4GB LPDDR3 RAM, decode H.264/H.265 up to 1080p30, encode H.264 up to 1080p, and support LTE FDD/TDD, DC-HDPA+, TS-SCDMA, EDGE, and CDMA2000. The main differences are in the number of cores for the CPU and GPU, and maximum display & camera resolution: MT6738 features four Cortex A53 cores @ 1.5 GHz with a Mali-T860MP1 GPU, and supports 1280×720 displays, and up to 13MP cameras. MT6750 octa-core processor includes two clusters of four Cortex A53 cores @ 1.5 and 1.0 GHz combined with a Mali-T860MP2, and supports 1280×720 displays, and up to 16MP cameras MT6750T has the same specs as MT6750, except it supports Full […]

FOSDEM 2016 Schedule – Open Source Hardware and Software Event in Europe

FOSDEM (Free and Open Source Software Developers’ European Meeting) is a 2-day event that usually takes place on the first week-end of February in Brussels, but this year it will be on January 30-31. The event brings thousands of developers, hackers, and other person interested in open source technology who present their projects and share ideas. FOSDEM 2016 schedule is now available, and There will be 557 speakers, 612 events, and 50 tracks this year including 7 main tracks: Distros, Enterprise, Hardware, Communications, Miscellaneous, Office, Systems Administration, and Virtualization. So I’ve had a look at some of the talks, especially out of  “Embedded, Mobile and Automotive” and “IoT” devrooms, and prepared my own virtual schedule although I won’t be able to attend. Saturday 10:30 – 10:55 – MIPS, the other side of the embedded by Alexjan Carraturo For many years MIPS processors have been involved in the embedded market, particularly […]

EDATEC Raspberry Pi 5 fanless case