Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft), Author at CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

November 22, 2014November 22, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

Unboxing of Zero Devices Z5C Thinko TV Stick based on Rockchip RK3288 Processor

It’s been a long long while since I’ve received an Android HDMI TV Stick, probably because many people prefer TV boxes, and the new ARM processors usually dissipate a lot of heat so thermal management may be an issue with small form factors. But I’ll finally get the opportunity to test a powerful HDMI dongle based on Rockchip RK3288 quad core processor, as Zero Devices sent me their Z5C Thinko TV stick. I’ll start by listing the specifications, and taking some pictures of the device and the board, because doing a full review hopefully sometimes next week. Zero Devices Z5C Thinko Specifications The stick has specifications similar to full sized Android media player minus ports like Ethernet and S/PDIF: SoC – Rockchip RK3288 quad core Cortex A12/A17 @ 1.8 GHz + ARM Mali-T764 GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0 /3.0, and OpenCL 1.1 System Memory – 2GB DDR3 Storage […]

November 21, 2014April 1, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 24 Comments

ODROID-XU3 Lite Development Board – Android Setup and Benchmarks

It’s been nearly ten days since I make ODROID-XU3 Lite unboxing, and my plans to first test Linux on the board were thwarted due a problem with HDMI. Luckily, after several attempts I managed to boot the board with Android. So today, I’ll show how to install or update Android on the board, and run a few benchmarks. But since there’s always a silver lining, I’ll start buy writing a bit about the HDMI issue, as I learned a few things on the way. HDMI Output Tribulations ODROID-XU3 Lite looks like a nice and powerful kit, and it may be one of the most cost effective ARM board on the market since it comes to performance to price ratio, so I was excited to try it, but as you know if you’ve read my unboxing post I did not work quite as planned, as all I got was a black […]

November 21, 2014November 23, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

$19 Broadlink SP mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug for Android and iOS

Many small companies are now making smart sockets including Broadlink, Plugaway, Orvibo, Kankun, and so on. They are various features, some even have energy monitoring support like Broadlink SP2 (But it died after two or three months on mine), and some are more basic like Kankun KK-SP3 as they can only be turn on/off manually or using timers, but at least that one is hackable and runs OpenWRT. Broadlink has now launched a new low cost version in the same price range of KK-SP3 with SP mini Smart Socket selling for as low as $18.69 on Banggood, but it can also be found on other for a little over $20, such as DealExtreme, Ebay, Aliexpress, etc… It sells for 79 RMB ($12.9 US) in China. Broadlink SP mini specifications: Power Plug – Three flat-pin plug (Chinese type) Wi-Fi – 802.11 b/g/n Input Voltage – 100~240V @ 50-60 Hz Output Current […]

November 21, 2014November 21, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 20 Comments

10moons iBox D9i Intel Mini PC with 2GB RAM & 16GB eMMC Flash Sells for $82 in China

We’ll already been informed about Intel Bay Trail mini PCs such as NEO MINIX Z64, MeLe PCG03 and Meego Pad P01, but the first two are not available yet (MeLe mini PC will ship by the end of December), and Meego P01 sells for a ridiculous $251 on Aliexpress, and I’m not even sure it’s shipping. There’s now another option with 10moons D9i which goes for 499 CNY ($82) in Tmall, features Intel Atom Z3735D quad-core processor, 2GB DDR3, and 16GB flash, running Android 4.2.2 or Windows 8.1. 10moons iBox / D9i specifications: SoC – Intel Atom Z3735D “Bay Trail” quad core processor @ 1.33 GHz (Bust freq: 1.83 GHz) with Intel HD graphics System Memory – 2 GB DDR3 Storage – 16 eMMC + micro SD slot Video & Audio Output – HDMI Video Codec – H.264 up to 4K @ 30 fps, H.265 up to 1080p Connectivity – […]

November 20, 2014November 21, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 16 Comments

MINIX NEO X8-H Plus Supports H.265 4K UHD Video, Gigabit Ethernet with Amlogic S812 Processor

MINIX has now announced an updated version of their MINIX NEO X8-H android media player simply called MINIX NEO X8-H Plus, replacing Amlogic S802 by Amlogic S812, which brings support for video playback of H.265 / HEVC videos up to 4K resolution, and Gigabit Ethernet. The Wi-Fi module also appears to been upgraded to support 802.11ac. The rest of the specifications are exactly the same as NEO X8-H: SoC – Amlogic S812 quad core cortex A9r4 @ 2 GHz with Mali-450MP6 GPU System Memory – 2GB DDR3 Storage – 16GB eMMC + SD/MMC card reader Connectivity – 10/100/1000M Ethernet, dual band 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Video Output – HDMI 1.4 up to 4K @ 30 fps, with CEC support Audio Output / Input – HDMI, 3.5mm stereo jacks for speakers and microphone, optical S/PDIF Video Container Formats – DAT, MPEG, MPE, MPG, TS/TP, VOB, ISO, AVI, MP4, MOV, 3GP, […]

November 20, 2014November 20, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

Semtech LoRa SX1272 RF Module Enables Up to 30 KM Wireless Range for Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Waspmote, and More

Libelium’s Waspmote is a board based on Atmel ATmega1281 MCU that interfaces with over 80 sensors, and various wireless communication modules, and targets professional wireless sensor network applications such as irrigation systems, smart metering, smart cities, smartphone detection, building automation, and so on. They have some professional kits for over 3,000 Euros including training, but a more affordable Starter Kit is also available for 199 Euros on Cooking Hacks. But I’m not going to cover Waspmote in details today. I just mention it because of an article on embedded.com mentioning compatibility with a Libelium / Semtech LoRa SX1272 RF module delivering up to 30km range in ideal conditions (and usually 22+ km range in LOS), and about 2km range in urban settings. I previously featured XBee-PRO 900HP RF Module with a 45km range, so the Semtech module is just another option, and it works not only with Waspmote, but also the […]

November 20, 2014November 23, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

$249 Jolla Tablet Runs Sailfish OS 2.0 on a Quad Core Intel Processor (Crowdfunding)

After launching the Jolla phone last year, Jolla has now unveiled the Jolla Tablet running the company’s Sailfish OS, and just like Nokia N1, powered by a quad core Intel processor. Instead of directly using a pre-order system like with the Jolla smartphone, they’ve decided to launch an Indiegogo campaign, and price the tablet much more aggressively than the phone, as perks started at just $189 for early backers. Jolla tablet specifications: SoC – Unnamed Intel 64-bit quad core processor @ 1.8 GHz, which should be Z3740(D), Z3745(D) or Z3560 processor. System Memory – 2GB DDR3L-RS Storage – 32GB eMMC + micro SD slot up to 32GB Display – 7.85″ IPS display, 2048 x 1536 resolution, 5-point capacitive touch Camera – 5.0MP rear camera, 2.0MP front-facing camera Audio – 3.5mm audio jack + speaker(s)? Connectivity – Dual band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, GPS Sensors – Accelerometer, light sensor, and proximity sensor. […]

November 19, 2014May 29, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 16 Comments

CubieTruck Metal Case Unboxing and Disassembly

CubieTruck Metal Case is a kit comprised of CubieTruck (aka CubieBoard 3), a 128GB SSD, a 5,300 mAh battery, a power adapter, and various cables. In case you are not familiar with CubieTruck, it’s a development board by CubieTech, based on Allwinner A20 dual core ARM Cortex A7 processor with 2GB RAM, 8GB NAND flash, a SATA connector, HDMI & VGA outputs, Gigabit Ethernet, 2 USB host ports, and a mini USB OTG port. CubieTech decided to sent me a kit, as it was featured on CNX Software, and today, I’ll show what’s exactly is inside the kit since the product description is not 100% clear. I’ve been told it’s pre-installed with Lubuntu, so in a separate post next week, I’ll try Linux, report on the SSD performance, and check the battery UPS function, and possibly life on a charge. CubieTruck Metal Case Unboxing I’ve received the kit in a […]