Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments on VIA VAB-950 SBC Features MediaTek i500 SoC for AIoT Applications

VIA VAB-950 SBC Features MediaTek i500 SoC for AIoT Applications

While MediaTek is better known for their mobile SoCs and they also offers processors made for AIoT (AI + IoT) applications such as MediaTek i700, i500 or i300 SoCs. We only covered a few development / evaluation boards so far, with Pumpkin i500 SBC or Innocom SB30 EVK, but we’ve now got another one with VIA VAB-950 single board computer equipped with MediaTek i500 AIoT octa-core processor, up to 4GB LPDDR4, 16GB flash storage, HDMI, dual Fast Ethernet, dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and support for 4G LTE cellular connectivity. VAB-950 SBC specifications: SOM-9X50 system-on-module SoC – MediaTek i500 octa-core processor with 4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.0GHz, 4x Cortex-A53 @ 2.0GHz Arm Mali-G72 GPU up to 800 MHz with support for OpenGL ES 3.0, OpenCL ES 1.1, and Vulkan 1.0 VPU for 1080p30 H.264/H.265 decoding 2x Cadence Tensilica Vision P6 DSPs System Memory –  2GB or 4GB LPDDR4 SDRAM Storage – 16GB eMMC Flash memory Dimensions – 7 x 5.5 mm […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Imagination IMG B-Series GPU family scales from IoT to the datacenter

Imagination IMG B-Series GPU family scales from IoT to the datacenter

Last year, Imagination Technologies unveiled IMG A-Series GPU family scaling from low-power IoT to mobile and high-performance server applications with up to 2.5 times the performance of the earlier PowerVR 9-series GPUs, as well as eight times faster AI processing and 60% less power under similar conditions. While I’m not aware of any SoCs announced with the new IMG A-Series GPU yet, the company has already announced the next-gen IMG B-Series GPU family with up to 4 times the multi-core performance thanks to decentralized multi-core technology, 30% lower power consumption, and 2.5 times the fill rate. The company offers four types of IM B-series GPU, each optimized for specific applications IMG BXE for high-resolution displays – From 1 up to 16 pixels per clock (PPC) BXE scales from 720p to 8K for UI rendering and entry-level gaming. IMG BXM designed for mid-range mobile gaming and complex UI solutions for DTV and other markets. IMG BXT four-core high-performance GPU generating 6.0 […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments on Teracube 2e is a user-serviceable, sustainable phone with a 4-year “premium care warranty”

Teracube 2e is a user-serviceable, sustainable phone with a 4-year “premium care warranty”

Most smartphones have limited software support, but in my experience with Xiaomi smartphones part of Android One, the hardware tends to fail even earlier than the 18 to 24-month support window for such phones. It’s also close to impossible to repair those by yourself. So it would be nice to have a phone with a longer warranty, software support, and that the user can service himself. If it was made of recycled materials, it would be a bonus too. That’s exactly what Teracube 2e phone provides with recycled materials, a fully biodegradable case, and a 4-year “premium care warranty” for hardware repairs, and since it runs Android 10 stock, you’d get 3-years of Android and security updates. Teracube 2 phone is also meant to be affordable going for $99 and up on Indiegogo with the following specifications: SoC – Mediatek Helio A25 octa-core Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.8GHz with IMG PowerVR GE8320 GPU System Memory – 4GB RAM Storage – 64GB […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on SIOT-50 industrial IoT device Integrates ASUS Tinker Board S in rugged enclosure

SIOT-50 industrial IoT device Integrates ASUS Tinker Board S in rugged enclosure

Stealth is a Canadian company that specializes in rugged displays, computers, and other ruggedized electronics for the industrial, defense, and marine markets. The company published a press release for a new rugged fanless mini PC equipped with a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, and older Intel  6th and 7th Generation Core i5, i7 & Xeon processors. But as I browsed their website, I also noticed a compact “industrial IoT device” with a rugged enclosure called SIOT-50 that appeared to be fitted with an off-the-shelf Arm Linux SBC. Let’s look at the SIOT-50 specifications and photos to find out which SBC that may be: SoC – Rockchip RK3288 quad-core Cortex-A17 processor with Arm Mali-T764 GPU, H.264/H.265 video hardware decoder System Memory – 2GB DDR3 Storage – 16GB eMMC flash, MicroSD card slot Video Output – HDMI up to 4K @ 30hz Audio – Realtek ALC4040 audio codec, 3.5mm audio Line Out jack Networking Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) Built-in 802.11 b/g/n WiFi 4, […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 15 Comments on Google Chromecast with Google TV Runs Android TV OS, Ships with a Remote Control

Google Chromecast with Google TV Runs Android TV OS, Ships with a Remote Control

When Google Chromecast first launched in 2013, it was based on a stripped-down version of ChromeOS and was meant to be used controlled via your Android phone, iPhone, Windows PC, or Mac computer to stream audio and video, and even more recent versions like Chromecast Ultra were not standalone media players. But Google’s “Chromecast with Google TV” changes all that as it’s based on Android TV OS and supports all 6,500 apps designed for the operating systems, and ships with a remote control to playback videos from YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and other apps without the need for your phone or a computer, although it still support all existing Chromecast features. Chromecast with Google TV hardware specifications: SoC – Quad-core processor @ 1.8GHz with ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, likely Amlogic S905X2 or even S905Y2 since there’s no Ethernet. [Update: It’s Amlogic S905D3 according to a screenshot provided by Android TV rumors.] System Memory – 2GB RAM Storage – 8GB flash Video […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 26 Comments on Mecool KM6 Amlogic S905X4 Android TV box plays 4K AV1 videos, supports WiFi 6

Mecool KM6 Amlogic S905X4 Android TV box plays 4K AV1 videos, supports WiFi 6

We’ve heard about Amlogic S905X4 processor for 4K TV boxes with AV1 support for about year, and while we’ve written about upcoming S905X4 TV boxes such as SDMC DV8919, none of them have launched so far, as silicon design and/or software development have taken a bit longer than expected, and we’re now far from the Q4 2019 launch date shown on the roadmap. But we may not have to wait much longer, as I have been offered a review sample – which sadly, I may have to refuse due to local import regulations – for Mecool KM6 TV box based on Amlogic S905X4 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor coupled with up to 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, Gigabit Ethernet and WiFi 6 connectivity, and running Android 10 on Android TV (Android 10.0 ATV). The company will sell two models with Mecool KM6 Deluxe and Classic editions with the following specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905X4 quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 2.0 GHz […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Lantronix Open-Q 865XR SoM Brings Snapdragon XR2 Processor Beyond Virtual Reality

Lantronix Open-Q 865XR SoM Brings Snapdragon XR2 Processor Beyond Virtual Reality

Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 (SXR2130P) is the latest and most powerful virtual & extended reality processor from the company and Facebook recently announced it would be found in their Oculus Quest 2 standalone VR headset. But it now looks like the processor will be used well beyond virtual reality applications as Lantronix has unveiled a Snapdragon XR2 SoM with Open-Q 865XR system-on-module designed for AI boxes, video conference systems, multi-camera systems, machine vision platforms, advanced high-resolution multi-display systems, medical imaging, and handheld data collectors. Open-Q 865XR SoM specifications: SoC – Qualcomm SXR2130P (Snapdragon XR2) Octa-core processor with 1x Kryo Gold prime @ 2.84 GHz + 3x Kryo Gold @ 2.42 GHz + 4x Kryo Silver @ 1.81 GHz Adreno 650 GPU @ up to 587 MHz Hexagon 698 DSP with quad Hexagon Vector eXtensions Spectra 480 Image Signal Processor Adreno 665 Video Processing unit for decode up to 4K240/8K60, encode up to 4K120/8K30, concurrent 4K60 decode & 4K30 encode for wireless […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments on Amazon Fire TV Stick 3rd Gen is Powered by MediaTek MT8695D SoC

Amazon Fire TV Stick 3rd Gen is Powered by MediaTek MT8695D SoC

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K powered by a MediaTek MT8695 quad-core SoC for launched for $50  about two years ago. The company has now introduced two cheaper variants with Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite and Fire TV Stick powered by a similar MediaTek MT8695D quad-core processor designed for 1080p (Full HD) HDR video playback. Both devices are basically the same for Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite goes for $29.99, and Amazon Fire TV Stick for $39.99 as the Lite version includes a cheaper Alexa Voice Remote Lite that lacks hardware buttons for controlling the volume and power on your TV and does not support Dolby Atmos (except via HDMI pass-through). New Amazon Fire TV Stick (Lite) specifications: SoC – MediaTek MT8695D quad-core Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.7 GHz with Imagination PowerVR GE8300 GPU supporting OpenGL ES 3.2 System Memory – 1GB DDR4 Storage – 8GB eMMC flash Video Output – HDMI up to 1920 x 1080 (1080p) @ 60Hz with HDCP […]

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