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

September 8, 2014September 8, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

W908I & W908II Wi-Fi Smart Sockets Support US, EU, UK, or AU Plug Types, Up to 4400W Power

I’ve had a look at several Wi-Fi smart sockets recently. Broadlink SP2 comes with a Chinese plug and supports power monitoring (About $40), Kankun KK-SP3 is more basic but sells only for $20, and runs OpenWRT, and Orvibo Wiwo S20 does not support power monitoring either, but is available with US, Europe, United Kingdom or Australia plug (About $40). If you want a Wi-Fi smart socket with a EU plug, there’s another option: W908I selling for $32 on Chinavasion. Based on the manufacturer website (HaiDian Technology) however, there are four W908I models with US, EU, UK, or AU plugs, as well as four W908II models with a higher power ratings (4400W). Instead of just one socket like socket models, it features a 3-pin socket, a 2-pin socket, and a USB port for charging devices. W908I / W908II specifications: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Sensitivity – 802.11b: < -84dBm; 802.11g: < -68dBm Output […]

September 7, 2014September 8, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

Intel Unveils Broadwell-Y Core M Processors with 4.5W TDP: 5Y70m 5Y10 and 5Y10a

ARM still have an edge in terms of power efficiency, but Intel has historically had an edge when it comes to process technology, and the company has announced their first 14-nm processors with three Broadwell Core M SoCs. The new process will also help with power efficiency, as all processors have 4.5W TDP, and Intel claims a Core M laptop will deliver twice the compute performance, and seven times more graphics processing power compared to a 2010 laptop powered by a 18W Core i5 processor, while doubling the battery life. Compared to more recent 4th generation Intel Core “Haswell” CPU, the new chips are said to offer up to 50 percent faster CPU performance and 40 percent graphics on a performance-per-watt basis. The company reveals three Core-M processors: 5Y70, 5Y10, and 5Y10a, all dual core / quad thread processor with base frequencies between 800 and 1,100 MHz, and turbo frequencies between […]

September 6, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 13 Comments

Kingnovel K-R68 4K Android STB Unboxing

Kingnovel has sent me a sample of their K-R68 Android media player powered by Rockchip RK3288 quad core processor with 2GB RAM, 8GB flash. Today I’ll start by listing the product specifications, before showing pictures of the device and PCBA. A full review will follow in the next few days. Kingnovel K-R68 specifications The box technical specifications as shown in the product manual are pretty standard: SoC – Rockchip RK3288 quad core ARM Cortex A12/A17 processor @ 2.0 GHz (TBC) with ARM Mali-T764 quad-core 3D GPU with support for OpenGL ES 3.0, OpenCL 1.1, and DirectX11 System Memory – 2GB DDR3 (Optional 4GB DDR3) Storage – 8GB flash (16G/32G optional) + micro SD slot Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60fps, 3.5mm AV jack Audio Output – HDMI, AV, and optical S/PDIF Video Codecs – MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, H.265, RV,.. @ 4K resolution Video Containers – […]

September 6, 2014September 6, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 21 Comments

$60 TV110 Android Media Player Powered by Amlogic S805 SoC

Yesterday I wrote about MINIX NEO X6 featuring Amlogic S805 quad core Cortex A5 processor with HEVC hardware decoding. MINIX device is expected to sell later this month for around $120, but I’ve been informed there’s another model called TV110 with similar hardware specifications, but selling for around $60 or even lower on sites like GeekBuying and Aliexpress. I’ve seen one of the seller offering $10 coupon, so it might even be possible to get it for $50. TV110-S805 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S805 quad core ARM Cortex A5 @ 1.5GHz with quad core Mali-450MP GPU System Memory – 1 GB DDR3 Storage – 8 GB NAND flash + micro SD slot Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 Video Output – HDMI 1.4, AV output Audio Output – HDMI 1.4, 3.5mm stereo audio jack USB – 2x USB 2.0 port Misc – IR sensor Power […]

September 5, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Freescale To Give Away StarterTRAK Development Boards for Automotive Applications

Freescale StarterTRAK development boards are based on the company’s Kinetis EA Cortex M0+ MUCs or Qorivva 32-bit MCU targeting automotive applications with support a wide temperature range (–40° to +125°C) and interfaces such as LIN (Local Interconnect Network) and CAN. These development boards can be used for body and security, powertrain, and safety & chassis applications. Freescale has decided to giveaway 60 StarterTRACK development board to random winners, so if you are knowledgeable in this field it could be an opportunity to try the platform. There will be 5 different kits given away, all based on Kinetis MCU: TRK‐KEA8, TRK‐KEA64, TRK‐KEA128, KEA128LEDLIGHTRD and KEA128BLDCRD. Let’s have a closer look at TRK-KEA128 development board. Key features and specifications of TRK-KEA128 board: MCU – Kinetis KEA128 ARM Cortex M0+ MCU @ 48MHz with 16KB RAM and 128KB flash in a 80 LQFP package On-board openSDA debugging and programming circuit using the PK20DX128 MCU […]

September 5, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 17 Comments

MINIX NEO X6 Features Amlogic S805 Processor with Full HD HEVC Support

Amlogic S805 is a cost down version of the popular Amlogic S802. It features four Cortex A5 cores, and quad core Mali450-MP GPU, only support 1080p resolution (no 4K), but adds hardware decoding for HEVC / H.265 at 1080p resolution, which is not possible with his big brother. In theory, I should also support Gigabit Ethernet, but none of the upcoming media players support it, allegedly because it’s not working yet… After products by the likes of Ugoos, Eny Technology. and Geniatech, it’s time for MINIX to announce their own S805 mini PC with the NEO X6. NEO X6 Specifications: SoC – Amlogic S805 quad core ARM Cortex A5 @ 1.5GHz with quad core Mali-450MP4 GPU System Memory – 1 GB DDR3L Storage – 8 GB eMMC + micro SD slot Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) with external antenna, Bluetooth 4.0 Video Output – HDMI 1.4 […]

September 5, 2014September 5, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

TP Vision Announces Philips UHD 880 Media Player Running Android L for Philips UHD Televisions

TV Vision has unveiled a new 4K media player to bring HEVC streaming capabilities to Philips UHD TVs at IFA 2014 in Berlin. The device will be based on Android L, and is said to be compatible with all 2013 and 2014 Philips UHD TVs. It should be compatible with other 4K TVs as well, but they mention some limitations due to HDCP, and some 2013 Philips TV will only handle 4K at 30 fps. Another interesting point is that if you have bought a recent Philips UHD TV, this media player may be free of charge. The specs are not complete, but here’s what we know: SoC – N/A System Memory – N/A Storage – 12GB storage to install apps (So most probably a 16GB eMMC or NAND flash) Video Output – HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 1.4, HDCP 2.2 support Main Video Codecs and Containers – HEVC (up to […]

September 5, 2014September 5, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

The New HP Chromebook 14 Features Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC

With HP SlateBook 14, Hewlett Packard already had a Tegra (4) based notebook with a 14″ display, but running Android 4.3, which may not be the best OS on such device. The company has now announced their new Chromebook 14 featuring an Nvidia Tegra K1 processor, 2 to 4GB RAM, and 16GB eMMC or 32GB M.2 SSD. The previous version of HP Chromebook 14 was based on Intel Celeron 2955U. HP Chromebook 14 specifications: SoC- Nvidia Tegra K1 quad core Cortex A15 processor with Kepler GK20A GPU System Memory – 2 to 4 GB DDR3L @ 1600MHz depending on model Storage – 16GB eMMC, or 32 GB M.2 SSD, and 100GB Google Drive Storage Display – 14″ display (1080p according to press release, 1366×768 according to product page). Video Output – HDMI Audio – 3.5mm headphone-out/microphone-in combo jack Camera – HD webcam with integrated microphone Connectivity – 802.11 b/n/g/ac Wi-Fi […]