Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 14 Comments on Pinephone Multiboot Image Boots 13 Different Linux Distributions

Pinephone Multiboot Image Boots 13 Different Linux Distributions

You’ve certainly heard about dual-boot systems with Windows and Linux, and possibly about triple-boot systems with an extra OS like Chromium OS or Android, but pine64’s forum user Megous has gone much further with a multiboot image for Pinephone able to boot 13 different Linux distributions! You’d think the image would occupy a lot of space on the device, but since all 13 distributions share the same Linux 5.9 kernel, all 13 operating systems fit on the internal eMMC flash or a MicroSD card with 8GB or greater capacity. The image is based on the p-boot bootloader allowing you to select the distribution of your choice and supports all PinePhones from the Braveheart Edition to the most recent revisions with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. So what Linux distributions are supported by the multiboot image exactly? Here’s the list: Arch Linux Arm 2020-09-08 Lune OS 0.113 Maemo Leste 20200906 Mobian 20200912 KDE Neon 20200912-132511 pmOS / fbkeyboard 2020-09-11 pmOS / …

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments on Chuwi GemiBook 13″ 2K Gemini Lake Refresh Laptop Sold for $299 (Promo)

Chuwi GemiBook 13″ 2K Gemini Lake Refresh Laptop Sold for $299 (Promo)

Chuwi is running a promotion on Aliexpress where they sell some products at a discount including some previously launched devices such as LarkBox mini PC but also took the opportunity to launch Chuwi GemiBook laptop powered by an Intel Celeron J4115 Gemini Lake Refresh processors and equipped with a 13-inch 2K (2160×1440) display. The laptop also comes with 12GB LPDDR4X RAM, and a 256GB SSD which makes it a fairly decent deal for the $299.99 price asked during the two-day promotion. You can even shave off an extra $10 from the total price by selecting the $10 discount coupon for orders over $299. Chuwi Gemibook specifications: SoC – Intel Celeron J4115 quad-core Gemini Lake Refresh processor @ 1.8 / 2.5 GHz (Boost) with Intel UHD Graphics 600 @ 750 MHz System Memory – 12GB LPDDR4X @  2133MHZ Storage – 256GB SSD, MicroSD card socket up to 2TB Display – 13-inch IPS display with 2160×1440 resolution; 180° rotation support Camera – …

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on Low-cost Amlogic S905L2 TV Boxes Show Up on Aliexpress for $20+

Low-cost Amlogic S905L2 TV Boxes Show Up on Aliexpress for $20+

Amlogic has plenty of variants to its S905 processors, and so far I had never heard about Amlogic S905L2 processor that can be found in some Android 9.0 TV boxes sold for a little over $20 including shipping. There are only two such TV boxes listed with the quad-core Cortex-A53 processor so far, and they are basically the same X7 model except for different storage and memory configuration. X7 TV box specifications: Amlogic S905L2 quad-core Cortex-A53 with Arm Mali-450 MP GPU System Memory – 2 or 4GB DDR3 Storage – 16GB or 32GB flash storage Video Output – HDMI up to 4Kp60 with HDR support, and AV port Video  Decoding – 4K H.265, H.264 Networking – 10/100M Ethernet and dual-band 802.11b/g/n WiFi 4 USB – 2x USB ports Power Supply – TBD Dimensions – 105 x 105 x 12 mm The device ships with a power adapter, an IR remote control, an HDMI cable, and a user manual. It’s quite …

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 12 Comments on SiFive to Debut RISC-V PC for Developers based on Freedom U740 next-gen SoC

SiFive to Debut RISC-V PC for Developers based on Freedom U740 next-gen SoC

In recent years, people have discussed the need to have Arm-based PCs or workstations for developers to work directly on the target hardware, and there are now several options including SynQuacer E-Series 24-Core Arm PC, Ampere eMAG 64bit Arm Workstation, and HoneyComb LX2K 16-core Arm Workstation. Now it appears we’ll soon get something similar for RISC-V architecture with SiFive to debut the first RISC-V PC for developers at the Linley Fall Processor Conference 2020 taking place on October 20-22 and October 27-29. The PC will be powered by Freedom U740 next-generation RISC-V processor that will also be introduced at the event. We have very few details about this point in time, but the company points the SiFive Freedom U740 (FU740) SoC will enable professional developers to create RISC-V applications from bare-metal to Linux-based. The processor is said to combines a heterogeneous mix+match core complex with modern PC expansion capabilities, which probably means PCIe, SATA etc.., and the company will provide …

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Silicon Labs Introduces Bluetooth 5.2 BGM220S SiP and BGM220P PCB Module

Silicon Labs Introduces Bluetooth 5.2 BGM220S SiP and BGM220P PCB Module

Silicon Labs has recently announced two hardware modules based on the company’s BG22 secure Bluetooth 5.2 SoC, namely BGM220S System-in-Package (SiP) measuring just 6x6mm, and BGM220P, a slightly larger PCB variant optimized for wireless performance along with a better link budget for greater range. Both modules can be integrated into products with up to 10-year battery life from a single coin cell. All BGM220S/P variants can support Bluetooth Direction Finding and some of the parts can also handle Bluetooth Mesh Low Power protocol. Silicon Labs BGM220S/P key features: Wireless SoC – Silicon Labs EFR32BG22  Arm Cortex-M33 with DSP instructions and floating-point unit, up to 512 kB Flash, 32 kB RAM, 2.4 GHz radio with TX power up to 8 dBm, and Embedded Trace Macrocell (ETM) for advanced debugging Supported Protocols Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth 5.2) Direction-finding Bluetooth mesh Low Power Node Various MCU peripherals include ADC, up to 25x GPIOs, DMS, PWM, I2C, UART, PDM (mic), etc… See EFR32BG22 specifications …

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 23 Comments on Banana Pi BPI-M5 Amlogic S905X3 SBC in the Works

Banana Pi BPI-M5 Amlogic S905X3 SBC in the Works

Banana Pi BPI-M5 is an upcoming Amlogic S905X3 SBC following the Raspberry Pi form factor, and that is pretty similar to Hardkernel ODROID-C4 launched earlier this year with the same quad-core Cortex-A55 processor. BPI-M5 will come with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, 16GB eMMC flash, and offers four USB 3.0 ports, one Gigabit Ethernet port, and on HDMI 2.1 output port for 4K/8K video output. Banana Pi BPI-M5 preliminary specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905X3 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 2.0 GHz with Mali-G31 MP2 GPU @ 650Mhz System Memory – 4GB LPDDR4 Storage – 16GB eMMC flash (option up to 64GB), MicroSD slot up to 2TB Video Output – HDMI 2.1 up to 4Kp60 with HDR, CEC, EDID Audio – 3.5mm audio jack, digital HDMI audio Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet USB – 4x USB 3.0 ports via VL817 hub controller, 1x USB-C port (for power only?) Expansion – 40-pin Raspberry Pi header with 28x GPIO, UART, I2C, SPI, PWM, and power …

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Rakwireless Launches WisBlock IoT Modular System Beta Testing Program

Rakwireless Launches WisBlock IoT Modular System Beta Testing Program

Rakwireless has launched several IoT evaluation boards such as RAK4260 LoRaWAN EVB relying on WisBlock modules comprised of a carrier board and a module. So far, those were always sold as part of evaluation boards, but now the company is trying to expand WisBlock use as a modular system, so users can easily build their custom systems, LEGO style. The modular system is based on four different block types: WisBlock Base – A carrier board with connectors for other block types, power supply, some ports WisBlock Core – Module with a microcontroller/processor WisBlock Sensor – Modules with environmental sensors, motion sensors, ambient light sensors, or others WisBlock IO – Adds more inputs, outputs, or connectivity options including  LTE-M / NB-IoT, cellular and Wi-Fi modules, NFC reader, and interfaces for I2C, UART, ADC, and GPIO. The company is just getting started with the solution, and initially will be offering one WisBlock baseboard, an improved version of the one used with RAK4260 …

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 14 Comments on NVIDIA to Acquire Arm for $40 Billion from Softbank

NVIDIA to Acquire Arm for $40 Billion from Softbank

A few weeks ago, I read rumors about NVIDIA acquiring Arm, and I thought it was probably just a joke because of the obvious conflicts of interests since NVIDIA would be providing IP to competitors, who may then be wary of starting designs based on Arm NVIDIA cores and GPUs. But guess what? That’s now official with NVIDIA writing on their blog they had a definitive agreement under which NVIDIA will acquire Arm Limited from SoftBank Group Corp. (SBG) and the SoftBank Vision Fund (together, “SoftBank”) in a transaction valued at $40 billion. I seldom write about business news, but it looks like in this case there may be repercussions. Let’s see details about the transaction: Under the terms of the transaction, which has been approved by the boards of directors of NVIDIA, SBG and Arm, NVIDIA will pay to SoftBank a total of $21.5 billion in NVIDIA common stock and $12 billion in cash, which includes $2 billion payable …

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