Ampeq SoundPad 2 is an Android TV Box with a 7″ Tablet and Stereo Speakers

SoundPad 2, also known under the model name NA-307, is a tablet with a stand featuring two large (for a tablet) stereo speakers manufactured by Ampeq / Pan-Ocean Technology. The device can be used as a Bluetooth speaker, an Internet radio, and a standard Android TV box connected to your TV. It’s the first time I’ve come across this type of product, but Archos released a very similar item last year via its Arnova brand called, oh surprise!, SoundPad. Let’s have a look at SoundPad 2 specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK2928 cortex A9 processor with ARM Mali-400 GPU. System Memory – 1GB RAM Storage – 4GB flash + micro SD card slot Display – 7″ capacitive touch screen, 1024 x 600 resolution Video Output – HDMI Audio I/O – HDMI, 2x 3W 2″ HiFi speakers, microphone, 3.5mm audio Line IN. Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR USB […]

$99 CSR µEnergy Starter Development Kit for Bluetooth Smart

CSR has recently launched CSR µEnergy Starter Development Kit, a low-cost devkit based on their CSR1010, CSR1011 and CSR1012 modules for developers designing Bluetooth Smart, aka Bluetooth Low Energy, applications. Main features of CSR µEnergy Starter DevKit: Fitted with CSR1010, CSR1011, or CSR1012 module USB or CR2032 battery powered (link selectable) USB SPI interface to development PC Headers – 1x Headers for CSR1010/CSR1012 I/O, 2x Headers for CSR1011 I/O Misc – 1x push button, 1x LED Dimensions – 80x68mm PCB area The modules are based on the Bluetooth Smart ICs with the same name, and the following characteristics: CSR1010 – QFN 32 lead, 5 x 5 x 0.6mm, 0.5mm pitch CSR1011 – QFN 56 lead, 8 x 8 x 0.9mm, 0.5mm pitch CSR1012 – QFN 32 lead, 4 x 4 x 0.65mm, 0.4mm pitch All three come with 128KB memory (64KB RAM and 64KB ROM), CSR1010 and CSR1012 has 12 digital […]

Beelink A9 Android TV Box Features Rockchip RK3188 SoC

Beelink A9, soon to be sold as Tronsmart A928 or Zero Devices Z6C, is a yet another RK3188 box with 2GB RAM, and 8GB Flash running Android 4.2, upgradeable to Android 4.4.2, and if it was not one of the four devices with Android 4.4.2 SDK I may not have decided to write about it. But since it should be more easily hackable with the SDK release, although with caveats, it becomes much more interesting. A9 Specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3188 quad core Cortex A9 @ 1.6Ghz with Mali-400MP4 GPU @ 533MHz System Memory – 2GB DDR3 Storage – 8 to 16 GB eMMC flash + microSD slot (up to 32GB) Video Output – HDMI Audio I/O – HDMI, S/PDIF, 3.5mm audio out jack, built-in MIC. Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.0 USB – 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG port […]

iPush Hi768 HDMI/AV Wi-Fi Display Dongle Supports DLNA, and Airplay for $22

Now EZCast dongles are my preferred type of Wi-Fi display dongle, although there are not perfect, they support Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac OS, and beside the proprietary EZCast protocol, they also support Miracast, Airplay, and DLNA. However, they cost between $30 to $40, and if all you are after is a cheap DLNA and Airplay adapter, you could get iPush Hi768 for $21.99 including shipping. This device also features an AV output (composite + stereo audio) to mirror your phone on your old TV. Here are the specifications as listed on Pandawill and some other sources: SoC –  ACTIONS SEMI ATV6003 @ 500MHz System Memory – 64M or 128M DDR2 Storage – 16MB NOR flash Video Output – HDMI, AV/CVBS Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (Built-in Realtek 8188 SDIO WiFi Module) Protocol – DLNA and Airplay. Power Supply – 5V/0.5A via micro USB port Dimensions – 76 x 36 […]

Top 10 Posts of 2013 and Stats on CNXSoft Blog

This is the last day of the year, and just like in 2012, I’ll look back on the main trends of this year,  post a list of the top 10 posts of 2013 on cnx-software.com, and add some fun stats about the site and my visitors. 2013 has been the year of quad core media players and mini PCs, especially those based on Rockchip RK3188, XBMC is now featured in many Android STBs, “big.LITTLE” and “Octa-core” have been the buzz words on the application processor front, Google has entered the HDMI TV sticks market with the ChromeCast, and is competing with Miracast / DLNA TV dongles, we’ve gotten more and more low cost Linux development boards, crowdfunding has almost gone mainstream, and the Internet of things has started to take off thanks to new technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy. I’ve compiled the list using data from Google Analytics, filtered […]

Android 4.4.2 KitKat SDK Released for Rockchip RK3188 mini PCs: MK908, MK908 II, MK918 and A9

Shenzhen AW Technology Co Ltd, a company specializing in home entertainment equipment development, manufacturing, and sales, has just informed me they’ve released Android 4.4.2 SDK (Software Development Kit) for four Rockchip RK3188 devices, namely MK908, MK908 II, MK918, and A9. If you’ve never heard about A9, it looks very similar to the upcoming ZERO Devices Z6C. The four SDKs are available in the download page which links to baidu.com as follows: MK908 Android 4.4.2 SDK – password: lvlb MK908 II Android 4.4.2 SDK – password: wpwa MK918 Android 4.4.2 SDK – password: kafo A9 II Android 4.4.2 SDK – password: f1zb Each download section is composed of three files. For MK908, we’ll get: rk3188_4.4.2_without_kernel_20131230.tar.gz (3.85GB) – The Android SDK itself without Linux kernel readme.txt kernel_mk908_20131230.tar.gz – The kernel source code I haven’t completed the download yet, but the readme explains how to use build Android, and flash the SDK: After […]

Archos Unveils “Connected Objects” Home Automation and IoT Systems

There has been many home automation and Internet of things projects featured on crowdfunding sites this year, and IoT products such as smartwatches, fitness bands, smart sockets, connected lights… have started to take off. Archos plans to leverage this trend with their Connect Objects offerings divided in two parts: Connected Home and Connected Self. Archos Connected Home Archos Smart Home is a system that let you monitor and control your home via your smartphone or tablet using the company’s Smart Home App and Connected Objects. The set will come with a 7″ tablet, a mini cam, a USB data cable and documentation. It’s not clear right now if others objects: motion ball, weather tag, movement tag, and smartplug, will be part of the set or need to be purchased separately. Key features of Smart Home Tablet: SoC – Rockchip RK3168 dual core Cortex A9 processor with Mali-400MP4. System Memory – […]

Ainol Novo9 FireWire Ⅱ Tablet Features Actions Semi ATM7039 Quad core Cortex-A9r4 SoC

Ainol Novo9 FireWire II (aka Spark II?) is a new Android Jelly Bean tablet powered by ATM7039, a new quad core processor from Actions Semiconductor, that is said to feature Cortex A9r4 cores, just like AMLogic M802, that allow higher frequencies, and lower power consumption compared to Cortex A9r3 cores used in SoCs such as Rockchip RK3188. I’ll check the tablet specifications first, and then have a closer look at the new SoC. Ainol Novo9 FireWire II Tablet Ainol Novo9 Firewire II / Spark II Specifications: SoC- Actions Semi ATM7039 Quad Core ARM Cortex A9 up to 1.5/1.6 GHz with PowerVR SGX544MP2 GPU System memory – 2GB RAM Storage – 16GB + micro SD card slot (up to 32GB) Display – 9.7″ IPS capacitive touchscreen, 2048×1536 resolution Connectivity – Built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, built-in Bluetooth 4.0, and 3G via external USB dongle Video Output – HDMI Audio I/O – 3.5mm audio jack, […]