Author: Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on TI TMS320C6748 DSP Low Cost Development Kit for Fingerprint Recognition and Face Detection

TI TMS320C6748 DSP Low Cost Development Kit for Fingerprint Recognition and Face Detection

Texas Instruments recently introduced the TMS320C6748 DSP development kit (LCDK) for real-time analytics applications such as fingerprint recognition and face detection, as well as other digital signal processing applications, such as audio and communications. The C6748 DSP development kit comes pre-loaded with TI C6748 SYS/BIOS Software Development Kit (SDK) which includes: SYS/BIOS real-time kernel C6748 StarterWare software package (lightweight, operating-system-independent software libraries and utilities) Sample apps for fingerprint recognition and face detection Code Generation Tools DSP core performance benchmarks that show the real-time processing power of TI’s C674x DSPs. The C6748 DSP development kit also includes Code Composer Studio IDE v5.1. Several standard interfaces for connectivity and storage are available in the board to allow audio, video and other signals. Expansion headers also allow developers to add display and user interface technology, such as camera boards and LCD screens. The board schematics and design files are supposedly available for download, […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on YOOE F4 – Freescale i.MX6 Quad Core Cortex A9 Android 4.0 Tablet

YOOE F4 – Freescale i.MX6 Quad Core Cortex A9 Android 4.0 Tablet

Freescale i.MX6 processors will finally be available in some devices very soon, as YOOE is currently finalizing the development of YOOE F4 (Model: RT-E597A), a 9.7″ tablet powered by Freescale i.MX6 Quad with 1 GB of RAM and running Android 4.0.4. Samples will be available in June and mass-production is expected to start in July. The company will sell this tablet for 220 to 250 USD retail. Charbax is currently in Shenzhen and a shot a video showing the tablet at the company offices, and performance seems to be very good. YOOE is the company that manufactures one of the first low cost Allwinner A13 Tablets. Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011. www.cnx-software.com

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Rikomagic MK802 Android mini PC Unboxing and Review

Rikomagic MK802 Android mini PC Unboxing and Review

Youtube user Zaatour36 has received the low cost MK802 Android 4.0 mini-PC based on AllWinner A10 processor and has uploaded 2 videos. The first video gives an overview of the device connectors and show the different cables (mini HDMI to HDMI, USB) and adapters (microUSB to USB and power) that are provided with the MK802. The second video is more like a review, and shows how to connect the device, go to the setup menu to change the settings and language and play around with the different Android applications. You’ll also be able to get a feeling of the performance. Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011. www.cnx-software.com

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on $3.45 Microchip PIC32 Development Platform Microstick II

$3.45 Microchip PIC32 Development Platform Microstick II

MIPS and Microchip organize a promotion on a MIPS PIC32 MCU development Kit. The Microstick II delivers a development hardware platform for Microchips MIPS-based 32-bit microcontrollers. It’s USB-powered and includes an on-board debugger/programmer, a DUT socket for easy device swapping, a user LED and reset button. Key features: Integrated USB programmer / debugger – No external debugger required USB Powered – Ease of use, No external power required MPLAB support. DUT Socket – Flexible, Easy device replacement 0.025” Pin headers – Enables plug-in to Breadboard with room for jumper wires Easy access to all device signals for probing Small size – Smaller than a stick of gum at 20 x76mm – Easily Portable On board User LED and Reset Switch Free demo code Microstick II supports all 3.3V PIC24FJ, PIC24H, dsPIC33, and PIC32 SPDIP packaged devices which are included in the kit. Microkit II normally costs 34.95 USD, but is […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Ubuntu, Tizen, XMBC… Demos at Q2.12 Linaro Connect in Hong Kong

Ubuntu, Tizen, XMBC… Demos at Q2.12 Linaro Connect in Hong Kong

Linaro has announced several demos would take place at Linaro Connect on June 1st, 2012 in Hong Kong: Big.LITTLE in-kernel Switcher (Linaro) SIProp – Combat Scouter – How much your Combat Power? (SIProp) Android Toolchain Improvements (Linaro) Origen Running Awesome Code (Linaro) Snowball with MM enablement (Linaro) Tizen on Snowball (Linaro) Google+ Hangouts on an ARM Board (Linaro) Low-Cost Logic Analyzer (Linaro) XBMC on Snowball – ST Ericsson Snowball (Linaro) (Ubuntu) Unity 3D on Snowball (Linaro) Ubuntu TV on Snowball (Linaro) PCM (Phase Change Memory) : Linaro kernel meets with the PCM technology (Micron) ARM DS-5 & Linaro (ARM) Most of the demos will be organized by Linaro, but three others companies will also shown the “show”, namely SIProp, Micron and ARM. It’s always interested to see what happens at Linaro because it gives a view into the future to what may comes to the new products and developers can see what new features are available for […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on Github Releases GitHub for Windows Client

Github Releases GitHub for Windows Client

Github has announced the release of Github for Windows, a client that makes it easy to use Github in Windows XP, Vista, 7 and the upcoming Windows 8. To get started, download GitHub for Windows. After the first part of the installation procedure, it will go through 2 eye raising steps: 1- Restart your computer, 2- Start Internet Explorer automatically (to complete the installation). Then you’ll just need to enter our credentials (or register) to get started with Github. It will automatically scan your local git repositories and ask you if you want to add then to Github. It will also show your Github repository as shown below. If you want to clone other people Github repositories, you’ll need to go to github.com, select a repository and click on “Clone in Windows” button (See below) This will start cloning the repo in C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\GitHub directory (default) and show […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Technology Patent Wars Infographic

Technology Patent Wars Infographic

You may have heard of patent fights between Samsung and Apple with ensuing delays in product launches, or even the recent Oracle vs Google patent fight. Visual.ly has created an infographic about the rampant patent wars in the US Tech Industry which shows just how messy patent fights in US courts are. This must really be a boon for lawyers. The external ring of the chart shows the alliances or patent purchases between companies. The busiest companies on the patent war front seem to be Apple, ZTE and Microsoft. Google is by far the company who bought the most existing patents mainly from Motorola Mobility (17,000 patents) and IBM (2,094 patents). Via visually. Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011. www.cnx-software.com

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments on VIA Technologies Unveils the APC, an ARM11 $49 Android PC

VIA Technologies Unveils the APC, an ARM11 $49 Android PC

VIA Technologies has today introduced the Android PC system (APC) powered by WonderMedia ARM11 processor, with 512 MB RAM and 2MB Flash in a small Neo-ITX motherboard and that will sell for a mere 49 USD, slightly higher than the 35 USD Raspberry Pi. But whereas the Raspberry Pi would struggle to run Android with 256 MB, the APC has just enough memory top run Android 2.3 and Android 4.0. Another advantage is the presence of a VGA connector which is missing on the Raspberry Pi, as well as a few other connectors. Here are VIA APC hardware specifications: VIA WonderMedia 8750 ARM11 CPU@ 800 MHz 2GB NAND Flash 512 DDR3 SDRAM Hardware Video Decoder supporting up to 1080p resolution VGA and HDMI display ports 4x USB 2.0 ports microSD slot 10/100 Ethernet port Audio-out/ Mic-in 15W power adapter Power consumption: 4 Watts (Idle) 13.5 Watts (Max. load) Dimensions: 17cm […]