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) - 15 Comments on ESP32 Module Schematics and Board Files

ESP32 Module Schematics and Board Files

Espressif teased about their ESP32 WiSoC with WiFi and Bluetooth LE a few weeks ago in a letter addressed to developers, but did not release that much information. The company has now released some documents in the forums (registration required) concerning ESP32 module  including PCB processing requirement, schematics and PCB layout, and bill of materials. The very first modules will actually be based on ESP31 processor, which only slightly differs from ESP32 with some swapped pins. The BoM is pretty small with several capacitors and resistors, one inductance, a 26 MHz crystal, ESP31, and a Gigadevice flash. The schematics have been designed with Orcad 16.6, so if you don’t have the program, you can read the schematics with Orcad 16.6 Lite, which is free to download. I’ve also printed the schematics to a PDF file.  I’m not sure how to open the .pcb file which should be the module’s PCB […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 39 Comments on Raspberry Pi Zero is a $5 Board Based on Broadcom BCM2835 Processor

Raspberry Pi Zero is a $5 Board Based on Broadcom BCM2835 Processor

The Raspberry Pi board had some serious competition price-wise with products such as Orange Pi PC, NanoPi, or even C.H.I.P, but the Raspberry Pi foundation has lowered the price barrier even further with the Raspberry Pi Zero board, based on the same processor as the original Raspberry Pi (model 1) boards but clocked at a higher speed, and in a much smaller form factor, and launching at an unbeatable price: $5. Raspberry Pi Zero specifications: Processor – Broadcomm BCM2835 ARM11 processor @ 1GHz with VideoCore IV GPU System – 512MB RAM Storage – microSD slot Video Output – mini HDMI port and composite video (via 2 unpopulated  pins) USB – 2x micro USB OTG ports for data and power Expansion – 40-pin through-holes Power Supply – 5V via micro USB port Power Consumption – 0.5-0.7W (100-140mA at 5.09V) according to Raspi.TV Dimensions – 65mm x 30mm x 5mm The board […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Xiaomi MiPad 2 Tablet Runs Android or Windows 10 on Intel Atom x5-Z8500 Processor for $156 and Up

Xiaomi MiPad 2 Tablet Runs Android or Windows 10 on Intel Atom x5-Z8500 Processor for $156 and Up

Xiaomi launched their first MiPad tablet last year with an Nvidia Tegra K1 processor and running Android, and the company recently introduced an update with MiPad 2, with similar features to the original one, but replacing the ARM processor by an Intel Atom x5-Z8500 quad core “Cherry Trail” processor supporting both Android and Windows. Gizmo China made a comparison table between the two model’s specifications which I reproduced and edited below. Model Mi Pad Mi Pad 2 Processor Nividia Tegra K1 quad core Cortex A15 @ 2.2 GHz Intel Atom X5-Z8500 quad core x86 up to 2.24GHz RAM 2 GB LPDDR3 Internal Storage 16 GB/32 GB + micro SD slot 16 GB/64 GB, no micro SD slot Display 7.9″ (2048 x 1536 pixels) Connectivity 802.11ac 2×2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.0 802.11ac 2×2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.1 USB micro USB USB type-C Camera 8 MP/ 5 MP Battery 6700 mAh 6190 […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments on Add an SSD, WiFi, and RTC to Your Raspberry Pi 2 Board with a $49 CSB502SSD Add-on Board (Crowdfunding)

Add an SSD, WiFi, and RTC to Your Raspberry Pi 2 Board with a $49 CSB502SSD Add-on Board (Crowdfunding)

If you wish your Raspberry Pi 2 could be a little more responsive, including WiFi connectivity and keep the time even when network is not available, and a few extra goodies then Pi 2 Design‘s CSB502SSD add-ons board (Raspberry Pi HAT) could be worth a look. CSB502SSD technical specifications: Storage – mSATA socket for up to 1TB on-board storage via PL2571 USB to SATA bridge controller USB – 2x extra USB 2.0 ports Connectivity – GWF-3M08 WiFi 802.11 b/g/n module (Ralink RT5370) with IPEX connector and up to 150 Mbps connection. Real Time Clock – DS1339 with 16mm coin cell battery backup and programmable alarm. Sensors – 1-Wire DS18B20 temperature sensor to monitor the health of SSD drive. 64-bit ID to identify the shield Power Supply – 8V-24V DC input (Up to 27.5W) for peripherals and Raspberry Pi 2. Dimensions – Full size Raspberry Pi 2 I/O Shield Since the […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Inforce 6309 micro SBC is Software Compatible with DragonBoard 410c Board, Includes an Ethernet Port

Inforce 6309 micro SBC is Software Compatible with DragonBoard 410c Board, Includes an Ethernet Port

I’ve recently written a review of DragonBoard 410c with Android, one of the first board part of Linaro’s 96Boards initiative that’s supposed to get Android and Debian distributions with recent Linux kernel & U-Boot, together with full source code. Inforce Computing has now launched Inforce 6309 micro Single Board Computer (SBC) with the same footprint, albeit different connectors’ placements, and software compatible with DragonBoard 410c development board powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor. The board targets applications such as industrial automation, “sophisticated” IoE devices, medical devices, augmented reality computing, and robotics and drones. Inforce 6309 micro single board computer specifications: SoC- Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 (APQ8016) quad-core ARM CortexA53 @ 1.2 GHz with Adreno 306 GPU and Hexagon QDSP6 @ 700 MHz System Memory – 1GB LPDDR3 @ 533MHz, Single-channel 32-bit (4.2GBps) Storage – 8GB eMMC flash (eMCP package with RAM) + micro SD slot Video Output / Display […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments on Android 5.1 Firmware for Rockchip RK3288 TV Boxes by Ugoos and CloudNetgo

Android 5.1 Firmware for Rockchip RK3288 TV Boxes by Ugoos and CloudNetgo

There are times when you are happy to have spend a little extra for a device to get better software support, and while most Rockchip RK3288 TV boxes are still running Android 4.4, a few companies have been porting Android 5.1 Lollipop to their products, including Ugoos and CloudNetgo. Ugoos has been working on Android 5.1 for RK3288 for while, releasing several beta firmware in the process, and the latest beta firmware (3.0.2b) includes Light Biz OS (aka Multiwindow) support to provide a better Android desktop experience, OTA firmware updates, and several bug fixes. One new small-yet-neat option is to customize the use of the power LED on the devices (WiFi, Ethernet, IR, CPU usage….), or if you don’t like it turn it off. The Android 5.1.1 firmware (still beta) is available for three devices: Beta Firmware v 3.0.2  for Ugoos UT3 – See Ugoos UT3 specs Beta Firmware v […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments on Black Friday 2015 – International Deals

Black Friday 2015 – International Deals

While Black Friday is very much a US tradition, Chinese online retailers have made an habit to launch Black Friday, and to a lesser extend Cyber Monday, promotions discount on their sites bringing the event to an international audience. This year is no different, and have gathered some promotions that may be of interest to CNX Software readers. DealExtreme I have not found specific deals on DealExtreme, but the company launched a Black Friday 2015 Lucky Draw event where you can get partial or full refunds of existing orders, as well as coupons for future order. Here are the rules: This campaign is for all DX customers. Please log in first. One play per valid order number. Valid Orders must meet the following three conditions: Orders made on or after 10:00:00(AM) Oct. 28th and before 9:59:59(AM) Nov. 26th, 2015 (UTC+8). Order should include one or more MVP product(s) and the […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments on One Education’s Infinity is a Rugged Modular Laptop for Kids (Crowdfunding)

One Education’s Infinity is a Rugged Modular Laptop for Kids (Crowdfunding)

Could 2016 be the year where modular / DIY laptops take off? Several projects has now in progress for modular laptops with Olimex’ OLinuXino DIY laptop project,  Rhombus Tech’s MIPS based laptop with EOMA-68 module, and now  One Education, has taken the footsteps of the OLPC (One Laptop Project per Child) project, by launching Infinity modular laptop on Indiegogo (flexible campaign) with delivery scheduled for September 2016. Infinity laptop / tablet hybrid specifications (subject to change): SoC – Quad core processor @ 1.4 GHz System Memory – 1GB RAM Storage – 8GB + micro SD slot Display – 8.9″ capacitive touchscreen display with 2560×1600 resolution Audio – Dual mode audio In/Out Connectivity – WiFi and Bluetooth USB – USB type C connector Misc – Dock with keyboard and touchpad Battery – 7,000 mAh The laptop prototype currently runs Android Lollipop with a Linux distributions (Ubuntu) in development. The laptops will […]