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

May 6, 2013May 10, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 157 Comments

Matricom G-Box Midnight MX2 Android TV Box Review

Matricom sent me one of their latest G-Box Midnight MX2 media player based on AMLogic AML8726-M6, with 1GB RAM, 8 GB flash, running Android 4.2, and with full support for XBMC. This is an update of the G-Box Midnight based on AML8726-M3 which supports XBMC in Android, as well as XBMC Linux thanks to community builds. Specifications: SoC – Amlogic AML8726-MX Dual Core Cortex A9 CPU + dual core Mali-400 GPU System Memory – 1GB DDR3 RAM Storage – 8GB Flash + SD card slot (Up to 32GB) Video Output – HDMI v1.4, composite (CVBS) and component (YUV) Audio Output – HDMI, AV, and SPDIF Connectivity – 802.11b/g/n internal Wifi + 10/100 Ethernet Port USB – 4x USB 2.0 Ports (1 might be OTG) IR sensor Power Supply – 5V/2A The hardware and software is very similar to Tronsmart Prometheus (See review), as both are based on AML8726-MX, run Android […]

May 3, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 13 Comments

Mediatek Announces MTK6572 Dual Core Cortex A7 SoC For Entry-Level Smartphones

MediaTek has recently announced the MT6572, a dual-core SoC with integrated Wi-Fi, FM, GPS and Bluetooth functions targeted at the entry segment. This SoC, manufactured using 28nm process technology, comes with a dual core cortex A7 processor @ 1.2GHz combined with a Mali-400 GPU and a multi-mode Rel. 8 HSPA+/TD-SCDMA modem. Other characteristics include support for up to HD 720p video playback and recording, 5MP camera, and up to qHD (960×540) displays. One of the first smartphones based on the platform will be Sunspan D28X and D26X with 4.5″ display, 5MP camera, and running Android 4.2 version of the system. Both devices will come with 1600 mAh battery., and both will cater for the Chinese market with D28X supporting TD-SCDMA (China Mobile), and D26X W-CDMA (Unicom). MediaTek claims MT6572 can be expected in hundreds of commercial models which will sell in June and beyond. MT6582, the quad core version, is […]

May 3, 2013May 15, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Linaro Releases IKS big.LITTLE Implementation Source Code

Yesterday, Linaro announced the released of the IKS (In-kernel switcher) implementation for big.LITTLE processor which allows the SoC to switch between individual Cortex A7 or Cortex A15 cores to optimize power consumption. Currently, the only consumer device using supporting big.LITTLE the Samsung Galaxy S4 thanks to Samsung Exynos 5 Octa featuring 4 ARM Cortex A7 and 4 ARM Cortex A15 cores. IKS implementation can only make use of 4 cores at a time in this processor, since it must choose between A7 or A15 depending on the load. HMP (Heteregenous Multi-Processing) implementation is currently worked on in order to be able to use all 8 cores, and distributes tasks to the right core for the job. You can read my previous post for differences between IKS and HMP. Linaro explains the current source still needs a few more modifications before being upstream to mainline. The code was developed for and […]

May 2, 2013May 2, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

VIA Unveils VAB-600 Pico-ITX Board Powered by WM8950 Processor

VIA Technologies has recently announced the VAB-600 Pico-ITX embedded board featuring WonderMedia WM8950 ARM Cortex A9 SoC clocked at 800MHz. VIA targets in-vehicle infotainment as well as mobile and healthcare applications for the board despite an operating temperature range between 0°C and 60°C. Here are the key features of this embedded board: SoC – Wondermedia WM8950 Cortex-A9 @ 800MHz + Mali-400 GPU System Memory – 1GB DDR3 SDRAM Storage – 4GB eMMC Flash memory + 512KB SPI Flash for Boot Loader + microSD slot Video Output – Mini HDMI, on-board DVO (Digital Video Output) for TTL or LVDS display Video Codecs – MPEG2 MP@HL, MPEG4, H.264 BP/MP/[email protected], VC-1 SP/MP/AP, VP8 and JPEG/MJPEG. USB – 2x mini USB 2.0 host ports Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet (VT6113), 3G (SIM card slot) and optional WiFi support (VIA VNT9271B6050 WiFi module shared with one USB port) On-board Connectors: 2x COM connectors 1x RTC battery […]

May 2, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

Promate LumiTab Android Tablet Features a DLP Pico-Projector

Back in 2011 & 2012, we saw some Android products with a pico-projector, including a lightbulb running Android, but pico-projectors never really seemed to be embedded into consumers products. Promate, however, decided to add one of those to one of their Android tablets. Promate Lumitab would just be a typical Android 4.2 tablet with a 7″ touchscreen, a dual core processor (OMAP4460), 1GB RAM, 16GB flash, if it did not also come with a DLP pico-projector capable of outputting an image up to 100″ (254 cm). Promate Lumitab Specifications: SoC – TI OMAP4460 Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 @ 1.5GHz + PowerVR SGX540 GPU System Memory – 1GB LPDDRII RAM Storage – 16GB flash, and a microSD slot Display – 7-inch IPS display (1024×600) Video Output mini HDMI Pico-projector DLP technology 854×480 (WVGA) resolution. 35 Lumens, Projection size of more than 100 inches, and projection ratioof 1.5 Audio I/O – 3.5mm stereo […]

May 2, 2013December 24, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

DroneShield – Raspberry Pi Powered Drone Detector

In case you are wary of having drones, such as RC helicopters, quadrotors…, flying around your house and invading your privacy, DroneShield can help you detect consumers’ drones by using a Raspberry Pi, a microphone and FFTW library, a C library for computing the discrete Fourier transform. The device will capture the audio with the microphone, analyze the noise spectrum of the drone flying around, and search for an entry in a signature database, and if a match is found the device will then send an email or SMS to inform you of the “invader”. There are complex challenges to overcome, or limitations, with this method, as any background noise will affect the detection, and drone emitting little noise or flying at high altitude won’t be detected. Spectrum analyses should however help avoid false positives such as a loanmowers and leafblowers as those emit a different kind of noise.They also […]

May 2, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Picuntu Home://io Edition Brings GPU Acceleration to RK3066 based Mini PCs

Earlier this year, Picuntu (RC2), an Ubuntu-based distribution, was released for RK3066 powered HDMI dongles such as MK808, UG802, etc… More work has been going on since them, and Justin Gross (JustinTime4Tea) announced the release of Picuntu Home://io edition on SlateDroid. This distribution is based on Pictuntu RC3, supports GPU hardware acceleration, and lots of packages including Quake 3. GPU acceleration has been available since February thanks to olegk0, but I think it may be the first time it’s packaged into an installation image. Justin added a lot of goodies in this image including: Gaming – PCSX_rearmed Playstation Emulator and ioquake3 (with free demo files, replace with your own original Quake3 CD files) both supporting PS3 controller. Other games include GLTron, Solitaire, B.A.L.L.Z and a few more. Web Browsers – Midori, Firefox, and Chromium with support for Flash Graphics Tools – GIMP, Scribus, Inkscape, ImageMagick, etc… Email & Messaging Clients […]

April 30, 2013April 30, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

CloudnetGo CR-M200 Low cost Miracast Adapter

Low cost Miracast dongles are finally coming to market. Rockchip demonstrated a $10 (BoM price?) Miracast dongle running Linux at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair earlier this month, and it seems CloudnetGo will bring a device, possibly based on this RK2928 design, with its “CR-M200 WiFi Display Dongle”. Connect this device to the HDMI port of your TV, and you’ll be able to mirror your Miracast-enabled Android smartphone or tablet display on the big screen, as well as use it as a smart video controller. CloudnetGo Miracast Adapter Specifications: SoC – ARM Cortex A9 @ 1GHz with Mali 400 GPU. Flash – 16 MB Nor Flash System Memory – 256MB DDR3 WiFi – WiFi 802.11 b/g/n Miracast and DLNA support HDMI port and micro USB for power Dimensions – 61mm x 31mm x 8mm This adapter will come with a USB cable, and an optional 5V/500mA power adapter, which may not […]