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

May 26, 2016May 26, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

Shenzhen Alpha M009 Smartwatch is Powered by Mediatek MT2503 SoC with Integrated Bluetooth, GSM Modem, and GPS

Mediatek MT2502 “Aster” SoC for wearables and IoT was released in 2014 with an ARM7 MCU, built-in Bluetooth, PMIC, and GSM/GPRS modem, and support for external WiFi and GPS chips. The upcoming MT2503 integrates functionality even further as GPS is now embedded inside the SoC, and Shenzhen Alpha Telecom Technology demonstrated their M009 smartwatch based on the latest Mediatek SoC at CES Asia 2016 in Shanghai. M009 smartwatch specifications: SoC – Mediatek MT2503 ARM7 processor with GSM/GPRS modem, Bluetooth 3.0 + EDR 2.1, GPS (MT3333), PMIC Display – 1.22″ or 1.3″ 240×240 resolution TFT display Cellular Connectivity – SIM card Sensors – HRM, pressure sensor Misc – 2x buttons Dimensions – 36 x 32 x 11 mm There will be two version of the processor MT2503A and MT2503D with the former supporting external serial flash. If you’d like to integrate a ready to use module in your design, ATS Link provides […]

May 26, 2016May 29, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

MeegoPad A02 Octa-Core Remix OS TV Stick Sells for $30 and Up (in China)

After tablets, mini PCs, laptops, and All-in-one PCs, Remix OS is getting on yet another form factor with MeegoPad A02 TV stick powered by Allwinner A83T octa-core Cortex A7 processor with 1 or 2GB RAM, 16 or 32 GB storage. MeegoPad A02 specifications: SoC – Allwinner A83T octa-core ARM Cortex-A7 @ 2.0 GHz with PowerVR SGX544MP1 GPU System Memory – 1GB or 2GB DDR3L Storage – 16GB or 32GB eMMC flash, micro SD slot up to 128GB Video Output – HDMI up to 4K resolution Audio Output – HDMI, 3,5 mm headphone jack Connetivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 USB – 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB port for power Misc – Power button Power Supply – 5V/2A via micro USB Dimensions – 110 x 43 x 9.9 mm Weight – 50 grams The device runs Remix OS 2.0 based on Android 5.1 with desktop optimizations […]

May 25, 2016July 2, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 15 Comments

Vorke V1 mini PC Features Intel Celeron J3160 Processor, 4GB RAM, a 64GB SSD, and Supports 2.5″ SATA Drives

Vorke V1 is a Windows 10 mini PC powered by Intel Celeron J3160 quad core “Braswell” processor with 4GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage, and support for an internal 2.5″ SATA drive, as well as support for dual monitor setups thanks to VGA and HDMI ports. Vorke V1 specifications: SoC – Intel Celeron J3160 quad core processor @ 1.6/2.24 GHz with Intel HD 400 graphics GPU @ 320/700MHz – 6W TDP System Memory – 4GB DDR3L alledgedly upgradeable to 8GB, so it must be using SO-DIMM memory (TBC) Storage – 64GB internal storage + 2.5″ SATA drive support + micro SD slot Video Output – HDMI 1.4b and VGA Audio Output – HDMI and 3.5mm headphone jack; ALC269 audio codec Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports, 2x USB 3.0 ports Misc – Power button & LED, IR receiver. Power Supply […]

May 25, 2016May 25, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Pebble 2 & Time 2 Smartwatches, and Pebble Core for Runners and Hackers Launched on Kickstarter

Pebble launched one of the first smartwatches in 2012, and is now one of the most famous name for wearables. The company has now launched another crowdfunding campaign for three wearables: Pebble 2 & Time 2 watches, and Pebble Core which can be either be used as a fitness tracker for runner, or by hardware hacker to play with IoT apps. Pebble 2 and Time 2 can receive notifications from your Android or iOS smartphone, include a built-in HRM for activity tracking, and a microphone for voice record and SMS, and are waterproof of up to 30 meters. To me the two key features of Pebble wearables are always-on displays, and long battery life, and the two new watches have a black & white (Pebble 2) or color (Time 2) always-on display, and up to one week of battery life for Pebble 2, and 10 days for Time 2. Pebble […]

May 25, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

Raspberry Pi 3 Repository Has Been Added to Android Open Source Project

Android has been ported to the Raspberry Pi boards in the past, but the images were not really usable because the implementation lacked 2D & 3D graphics support. The good news is that Raspberry Pi 3 is likely to officially support the latest version of Android soon, because rpi3 repository has been created in AOSP about 5 weeks ago. That’s all we know for now. Raspberry Pi 3 could then be part of the second wave of boards officially supported in Android “mainline”, as currently 96Boards Hikey is the only supported board in AOSP. However, If we go down in the git repo to android/device, we can also see MIPS Creator CI40, Aaeon Upboard, i.mx6ul picoimx board, Intel Edison and Minnowboard, and a few others. Some of the boards will run Brillo instead of Android however, or it could be a different project, so we’ll have to see what happens […]

May 25, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

OtterBox uniVERSE Modular Case System & Tapit Customizable Tactile Keyboard Case for Smartphones

Two innovative cases for smartphones have been introduced very recently: OtterBox uniVERSE modular case system which allows you to add various modules in a similar fashion to what Project Ara promises, and Tapit case adding a flexible keyboard on top of your smartphone case. OtterBox uniVERSE modular case system The company offers a protective case for your phone for $50 to $60, and you can add modules as needed from the following selection: Square Contactless & Chip Reader, $49.99 – To accept credit cards and contactless payments on the go olloclip 4-in-1 lens, $79.99 – Fisheye, wide-angle, 10x and 15x lens options SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive, $59.99 to $119.99 – 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of additional capacity Nite Ize Steelie Vent Mount Kit, $39.99 – Mount your smartphone to a vehicle vent for hands-free use Goal Zero Slide Battery, starting at $59.99 – Extra battery Manatee Works StingRay Barcode Scanner, […]

May 24, 2016May 24, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

LinkSprite O-board Altera Cyclone IV FPGA Development Board Targets OpenRISC Development

OpenRISC project‘s goal is to create a free and open processor for embedded system that include RISC instruction set architecture with DSP features, an open source implementations of the architecture, open source development tools and software, and simulators. You normally need FPGA board to emulate the processor before silicon is made available, so LinkSprite designed the O-board powered by Altera Cyclone IV FPGA to help with OpenRISC development and evaluation. O-board specifications: FPGA – Altera Cyclone IV E with 22K LUT (P/N: EP4CE22F17C8N) System Memory – 32MB SDRAM Storage – 1MB SPI FLASH, micro SD slot Connectivity – 1x Fast Ethernet (RJ45) USB – 1x micro USB for OTG HOST/SLAVE, 1 x micro USB for power supply, configuration, 2x UARTs, 2x JTAG… Expansion connectors – 2x 70-pin headers Power Supply – 5V via miro USB Dimensions – 96 x 40 mm The Wiki for the board explained how to get […]

May 24, 2016May 28, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Star Cloud PCG02U Ubuntu 14.04 TV Stick Review

Star Cloud PCG02U is the first Ubuntu product from MeLE. After taking a few pictures of the TV stick and the board, I’ve tested the performance and functionality of the device. First Boot and Setup You can either connected the stick directly into an HDMI port, or using the provided female to female adapter via an HDMI cable. I’ve opted to insert the device directly into the AUX port of my Onkyo A/V receiver itself connected to my TV. Since there’s only one USB host port, USB keyboard and mouse are not convenient since it would add a USB hub, so I went with Logitech MK270r wireless mouse & keyboard combo instead. You can either used Ethernet or WiFi for Internet connectivity, and I opted for the latter for most of the review, but WiFi is also working fine. The final step is to connect the power supply into the […]