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) - 7 Comments on Pico Neo Android Virtual Reality Headset is Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Processor

Pico Neo Android Virtual Reality Headset is Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Processor

If you want an enjoyable experience with virtual reality you’d need a 2K+ display, and a powerful processor, and even Chinese manufacturers are going high-end with DeePoon M2, or Pico Neo, which features an innovative design to keep the headset light (320 grams) as it only comes with the screen and lenses, while a Snapdragon 820 processor coupled with 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, and the battery can be found in the optional remote controller (220 grams). That all means you could just purchase the head mount display (HMD) and connect it to your computer, or get the bundle with the gamepad to get an all-in-one Android VR kit. The HMD includes two 3.81″ AMOLED screen with 1200×1080 resolution, and 90Hz screen refresh rate, features aspheric lenses with 102 degrees field of view, focus adjustment, and support for 0 to 800 degree myopia, as well as a 9-axis motion sensor with 20 […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 25 Comments on Android and Linux Benchmarks on MiQi Development Board

Android and Linux Benchmarks on MiQi Development Board

MiQi is an upcoming low cost development board powered by Rockchip RK3288 SoC that will sell for $35 with 1GB RAM and 8GB storage, and $69 for the version with a  2GB / 32GB combination. Since Rockchip RK3288 was launched in 2014, most available benchmarks were made on Android 4.4, and since MiQi is the first low cost board based on the processor, other RK3288 based board such as FireFly have not been that popular. So I’ve decided to run updated benchmarks in MiQi both in Android 5.1 and Linux (Lubuntu 14.04), which was easy since a dual boot image is pre-installed. But since I received an early sample without heatsink, I found a spare heatsink added some thermal paste and placed it on top of the processor and partially on RAM and eMMC flash. MiQi Board Android 5.1 Benchmarks I ran Antutu both using 1080p60 and 2160p30 video output, […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments on AAduino Arduino Compatible Board Fits Neatly into an AA Battery Holder

AAduino Arduino Compatible Board Fits Neatly into an AA Battery Holder

Johan Kanflo has been using Arduino compatible boards based on Tiny328 MCU with an ISM radio module (wireless Arduino clone), but he found that finding a case was not easy, and was quite not ready to to design its own and print it with a 3D printer. So instead he shrank the board to fit into an AA battery case bought on Ebay with two AA batteries taking the remaining slots. That’s the result. AAduino board specifications: MCU – Atmel ATMega328p clocked at 8 MHz to save power Radio – RFM69C ISM transceiver module Sensors – Two DS18B20 temperature sensors Misc – Indicator LED Keystone battery terminals rotated 180° to act as positive and negative terminals. Power – 2x AA batteries The project is also open source hardware, with all hardware files released under the MIT license on Github, where you’ll also find a demo sketch for the board. Via […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments on Mini Review of NextDrive Plug for Private Cloud Storage and Home Security

Mini Review of NextDrive Plug for Private Cloud Storage and Home Security

NextDrive Plug is an ARM based plug computer that’s used to store your photos or music, and/or as a security system using a webcam combined with Pixi motion sensor. They had a successful crowdfunding campaign, and now that they’ve sent rewards to backers, I’ve also received NextDrive Plug and Pixi for evaluation. The courier was not particularly gentle with the packages, but the devices themselves were not damaged. NextDrive Plus package included the box, a US plug, and a user’s manual in English. Pixi comes with two 3M stickers, and a user’s manual. There’s also a plastic film to avoid depleting the battery, that you’ll need to remove before using the sensor. The interfaces on the plug are minimal with a USB port for a USB mass storage device (HDD, flash drive…) and/or a UVC webcam, and the socket for the power plug adapter on the back.You can then plug […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 35 Comments on HDMI Audio in Linux is Now Working on Cherry Trail mini PCs, OpenELEC 7.0 Image Released

HDMI Audio in Linux is Now Working on Cherry Trail mini PCs, OpenELEC 7.0 Image Released

Since Intel has decided not to officially support Bay Trail and Cherry Trail processors in Linux, and focus on other priorities, people who have tried to use HDMI audio in Linux with mini PCs or TV sticks based on the processors have always had issues. There’s a workaround for Bay Trail mini PCs with Linux 3.16 kernel, but so far I’ve never seen a Cherry Trail system working with HDMI audio in Linux. Luckily, Pierre-Louis Bossart has been working on support, and Piotr kasprzak has tried HDMI audio support with OpenELEC 7.0 and a patched Linux Kernel 4.5.1, and confirmed it to be working on Tronsmart Ara X5 Plus and Wintel 10 Pro mini PC powered by Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor. This can also be verified in the kernel log with dmesg:

If you want to try it yourself, you can download the OpenELEC image with the modifications. If […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on PiPO KB2 is a Foldable Keyboard PC Running Windows 10

PiPO KB2 is a Foldable Keyboard PC Running Windows 10

We’ve already seen a few Windows 10 keyboard PCs, that look similar to the good old Commodore 64, are now being sold, such as K3 Wintel, but PiPO, a manufacturer that likes to try new ideas, has now designed a foldable keyboard PC powered by a Cherry Trail processor, and featuring a battery and support for WiDi for a cable-free experience. PiPO KB2 foldable computer specifications: SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor @ 1.44 GHz / 1.84 GHz with Intel Gen8 Graphics System Memory – 2 or 4 GB RAM Storage – 32 or 64 GB eMMC flash + micro SD slot Video Output – HDMI Audio Output – HDMI and 3.5 mm audio jack Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11ac & Bluetooth 4.0, WiDi support USB – 1x micro USB port, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0 Foldable QWERTY keyboard Battery – 2500 mAh The mini PC, or however you want […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Doogee Smart Cube P1 Android Projector Unboxing and Quick Try

Doogee Smart Cube P1 Android Projector Unboxing and Quick Try

Doogee Smart Cube P1 is an Android 4.4 projector that looks somewhat like a Rubik’s cube, powered by Amlogic S805 processor and featuring Texas Instruments DLP solution. GearBest sent me a sample for review, and today, I’ll start by checking the device itself, before writing a review in a few days. The mini projector only ships with a 5V/2A power supply / charger, and its USB cable. So your smartphone will have to be the remote control, unless you connect an RF dongle for your air mouse or wireless keyboard. There’s also no user’s manual either. Not that I normally read them, but a description of the features would have still been nice. Anyway, it’s easy enough to find out. The projector is on one side, the blue and yellow side features with a USB port and reset pinhole, and the red and white side, the micro USB port for […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 31 Comments on MiQi Rockchip RK3288 Development Board using Raspberry Pi Form Factor to Sell for $35 and Up

MiQi Rockchip RK3288 Development Board using Raspberry Pi Form Factor to Sell for $35 and Up

Rockchip RK3288 processor may have launched in 2014, but it’s still one of the most powerful processor found in TV boxes for example, and in the past we’ve seen higher end board based on the processor such as Firefly-RK3288 or Radxa Rock 2 Square selling for well above $100. But MQMaker, the company that previously made WiTi router board, is bringing a smaller and cheaper RK3288 development board with MiQi, which definitely looks similar to the Raspberry Pi. MiQi board specifications: SoC – Rockchip 3288 quad core ARM Cortex A17 up to 1.8 GHz with Mali-T764 GPU supporting OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0 /3.0, and OpenCL 1.1 System Memory – 1 or 2G DDR3 depending on model Storage – 8 or 32 GB eMMC flash depending on model + micro SD slot Video & Audio output – HDMI 2.0 up to 3840×2160@60p Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet USB – 4x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB port Debugging […]

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