Ultra mobile portable computers (UMPC) are somewhat making a come back with products such as GPD Pocket 2 or DragonBox Pyra open source handheld computer. While being fairly powerful, neither devices are particularly inexpensive, and if you are looking for something cheaper, and admittedly much slower, I’ve been informed that Rockchip RK3128 based KINGJIM Pomera DM200 mini computer can be an option since it has been “hacked” to run Debian. By default, the device runs a Linux OS with user interface in Japanese only, and is sold as a digital memo. Some of the specifications include: SoC – Rockchip RK3128 quad core Cortex A7 processor with Mali-400MP2 GPU System Memory – 512MB RAM Storage – 4GB flash, micro SD slot up to 32GB Display – 7″ TFT LCD display with WSVGA (1024 x 600) resolution Connectivity – WiFi 802.11 b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0 LE + EDR Keyboard – Japanese keyboard […]
A Quick Look at MINIX NEO C Plus USB-C Adapter, and Windows 10 M.2 SSD Card for N42C-4 Mini PC
A couple of weeks ago, MINIX announced their NEO C Plus USB type C adapter with 9 ports including two HDMI outputs. The company has now sent me samples of the adapter, as well as an M.2 SSD for MINIX NEO N42C-4 pre-loaded with Windows 10 Pro. I’ll first have a look at the accessories I received before testing MINIX NEO C Plus adapter with Android 7.1 running on NanoPC-T4 board. MINIX NEO C Plus and M.2 SSD Unboxing I received two USB-C multiport adapter with dual HDMI output which are identical, except for the color with one white version and a silver version, as well as a “128GB M.2 SSD for MINIX NEO N42C-4”. The USB-C adapter comes with a bilingual English-German user manual. We learn some interesting information and limitations from the device. First, the adapter is only certified to use with MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops, and […]
Espressif Introduces ESP32-WROVER-B Module with 8MB RAM
ESP32 processor can support PSRAM, and so far I had seen boards or modules with up to 4MB RAM, but if you need more memory, Espressif Systems has now launched ESP32-WROVER-B module with 8MB SPI PSRAM. ESP32-WROVER-B module specifications: WiSoC – Espressif ESP32-D0WD with dual core processor up to 240 Mhz; 5x5mm package Connectivity 2.4GHz WiFi 802.11 b/g/n up to 150 Mbps Bluetooth 4.2 LE Two antenna designs: PCB antenna or IPEX connector External Memory – 8MB SPI Pseudo Static RAM (PSRAM) Storage – 4MB external SPI flash I/Os – Capacitive touch, SD card interface, Ethernet, SPI, UART, I2S, I2C, GPIOs, VP/VN, etc… Power Supply – 2.7 to 3.6V Dimensions – 31.4 x 18.0 x 3.3 mm Certifications – FCC/CE-RED/IC/TELEC/KCC/SRRC/NCC ESP32-WROVER-B should be software compatible with other ESP32 modules. It works ESP-IDF framework based on FreeRTOS with LwIP ( light-weight Internet Protocol). TLS 1.2 hardware acceleration is built-in, and secure OTA […]
Neutis N5 Allwinner H5 CPU Module and Development Kit are now up for pre-order
Emlid Neutis N5 system-on-module (SoM) powered by Allwinner H5 processor was unveiled right before Embedded World 2018 in February with an expected launch date scheduled for April. There have been some delays but the Allwinner H5 CPU module and corresponding development kit are now up for pre-order with delivery slate for the end of August. Neutis N5 SoM Neutis N5 specifications: SoC – Allwinner H5 quad core Arm Cortex-A53 processor @ up to 1.3 GHz with Arm Mali-450MP4 GPU System Memory – 512 MB DDR3 RAM Storage – 8 GB eMMC flash Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n. Bluetooth 4.0 dual-mode BLE with on-board antenna and u.FL connector for optional external antenna HW Security – Tamper-resistant dedicated crypto chip (secure element) for storing cryptographic keys, unique ID, random number generation and more 2x DF40 80-pin board to board X1 and X2 connectors with 38x GPIOs 4x UART, 3x I2C, 2x SPI, […]
Teclast F5 Laptop Features 11.6″ Fully Rotating Display, Celeron N4100 Processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD
Teclast F5 is another Gemini Lake laptop based on Intel Celeron N4100 processor, with this model including a 11.6″ full HD display that can fully rotate thanks to a 360° hinge, and coming with 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD. Teclast F5 laptop is now up for pre-order on GearBest for $369.99 with free worldwide shipping. The presale ends on August 12th, and as I understand shipping starts the next day. Teclast F5 specifications: SoC – Intel Celeron N4100 quad core Gemini Lake processor @ 1.10 GHz / 2.40 GHz (Turbo) with Intel UHD graphics 600 ; 6W TDP System Memory – 8GB DDR4 Storage – 128GB M.2 2242 SSD (expandable), micro SD card slot Display – 11.6″ FHD (1920×1080) IPS touchscreen display Video Output – Micro HDMI port Audio – Stereo speaker, microphone, 3.5mm audio jack, digital audio output via HDMI Connectivity – Dual band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi and Bluetooth […]
Android 9 “Pie” Released – Download Firmware Images and AOSP Source Code
After several Android P developer previews and Android P beta releases, Google has now officially released Android 9 “Pie” operating system which brings new features leveraging artificial intelligence such as adaptive battery, app actions or slices, as well as support for WiFi RTT indoor positioning, displays with notch, a new neural API, and so on. I’ve already covered the new features in previous posts, so I won’t go over them again in this post. There’s however a new service/app called Digital WellBeing, which I had not heard of before, and which aims at helping you taking time away from your phone. It will officially launch this fall, but Pixel phone owners can apply for the beta version. You can install Android 9 on your phone by downloading the firmware images (or via OTA) if you own one of the following phones “Google Pixel 2 XL “taimen”, Google Pixel 2 “walleye”, […]
AIO-3399J Development Board Review with Ubuntu 16.04
Regular readers will know that Firefly team sent me several of their Rockchip boards for evaluation, and I started with a review of ROC-RK3328-CC development board powered by Rockchip RK3328 processor. This time, I went with the high-end AIO-3399J board comprised of a features-packed baseboard and a Rockchip RK3399 system-on-module. Just like with the previous review, I’ve decided to focus on Linux support, in this case Xunbuntu 16.04, and I’ll do an Android review on the company releases Android 8.1 for Firefly-RK3399 board. First Boot with AIO-3399J Board Before booting the board, I inserted the heatsink, and connected the provided WiFi antennas. I also connected some devices and cables, including a mouse, the male to male USB cable to the top USB 3.0 (OTG) port for firmware update, a HDMI cable to my TV, and Ethernet cable, as well as the serial debug board. The final step was to connect […]
Chuwi Hi9 Pro 4G Tablet with 2K Display, Deca-Core Processor Goes for $139.99 (Promo)
If you need something larger than a smartphone and still offering 4G data connectivity, Chuwi Hi9 Pro tablet might be interesting with its 8.4″ high resolution display, Mediatak Helio X20 processor, 3GB/32GB memory & storage configuration. It’s especially interesting in the next few days as, Chuwi and GearBest have launched a promotion offering the 4G tablet for just $139.99 shipped. Chuwi Hi9 Pro tablet specifications: SoC – Mediatek Helio X20 (MT6797) deca-core processor with 2x Cortex A72 cores @ 2.3 GHz, 4x Cortex A53 cores @ 1.85 GHz, and 4x Cortex A53 cores @ 1.4 GHz, as well as a Mali-T880 GPU @ 780 MHz System Memory – 3GB DDR3 RAM Storage – 32GB flash, micro SD slot up to 128GB Display – 8.4″ capacitive touchscreen IPS display with 2560 x 1600 resolution, 10-point touch. Audio – 3.5m headphone jack, built-in speaker and microphone Camera – 8MP rear camera, 5MP […]