CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

May 20, 2014May 29, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 17 Comments

Ruach A20 Android TV Box Powered by AllWinner A20 Sells for $43

Android TV Boxes based on dual core processors usually sells for north of $50. But you can now get an AllWinner A20 based Android media player for just $43.39 including shipping thanks to Ruach A20 also featuring 1GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, two USB ports, and more. Ruach A20 specifications: SoC – AllWinner A20 dual core Cortex A7 @ 1GHz with Mali-400MP2 GPU System Memory – 1GB DDR3, Storage – 8GB NAND Flash Video Output – HDMI, Composite Audio Output – HDMI, Stereo RCA, Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n USB – 2x USB host ports Misc – IR receiver, power button Power Supply – 5V Dimensions – 11.8 x 7.8 x 3.0 cm This Android 4.2.2 TV Box comes with an IR remote control, an AV cable, a power adapter, and a user’s manual. The manufacturer has a website in Chinese only, but I could […]

May 20, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 16 Comments

PQ Labs iStick A350-SSD is a Quad Core HDMI TV Stick with an mSATA Connector and a Battery

Since there are now so many quad core HDMI TV Sticks and TV Boxes, it would be easy to discount PQ Labs iStick A350-SSD as yet another Android TV devices powered by Rockchip RK3188 SoC, were it not for its mSATA connector and included battery. The company has also managed to add 3 USB ports, and a micro USB port, in a form factor only slightly bigger than a standard HDMI TV dongle. iStick A350-SSD specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3188 quad-core Cortex A9 @ 1.6GHz with Mali-400MP4 GPU System Memory – 2GB DDR3 Storage – 4 GB NAND Flash, mSATA connector, micro SD slot Video & Audio Output – HDMI, audio jack Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 (AP6330 module) USB – 3x USB Host, 1x micro USB Misc – Recovery switch, power button, active cooling system Battery – 270 mAh (3.7V) Power Supply […]

May 20, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Acme Systems Acqua A5 is a System-on-Module Powered by Atmel SAMA5D3 Processor

Acme Systems has announced availability of their Acqua A5 SoM with Atmel SAMA5D31 Cortex A5 micro-processor, up to 512 MB RAM, up to 256 MB Flash, a serial EEPROM, a micro SD card slot, and an Ethernet PHY. The module targets headless or LCD based system such as automation or control panels, and is available in commercial and extended temperature range. Specifications: Processor – Atmel SAMA5D31 ARM Cortex-A5 MPU @ 536MHz System Memory – 256MByte DDR2 RAM @ 32 bit (optionally 512MB) Storage Embedded micro SD hinge type holder for OS and data Optional 256 MB NAND flash Atmel AT24MAC402 – 2Kbit serial EEPROM Connectivity – 10/100 Mbit Ethernet I/F (can be turned off for power saving) Three USB Host ports (one configurable as USB device) Connectors – 3x 50-pin connectors pitch 1.27 mm (50 mils) Signal accessible via connectors: (Check pinout for details) 10/100 Mbit Ethernet phy RGB I/F […]

May 19, 2014May 29, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Shenzhen DigiCasting LX-N10 Is an AllWinner A31s Powered Board for Digital Signage Applications

Shenzhen DigiCasting, a Shenzhen based company specialized in digital signage solution, has recently introduced LX-N10 board specifically designed to connect to LVDS display for applications such as digital signage players. The board is powered by AllWinner A31s, comes with up to 2GB RAM, and optional 4GB eMMC, and various ports and headers. LX-N10 board (aka DS-108) specifications: SoC – AllWinner A31s quad core ARM Cortex A7 processor @ 1.2 GHz with PowerVR SGX544MP2 GPU System Memory – 1 GB DDR2 (2GB optional) Storage – micro SD slot up to 32GB, and optional 4GB eMMC Video Output – HDMI, LVDS + backlight + touchscreen header Audio – HDMI, 3.5mm stereo jack. Built-in 4R/20W, 8R/10W amplifier Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 10/100M Ethernet USB – 2x external USB 2.0 host ports, 2x internal USB headers Other Headers – GPIO (3 GPIO, 1 ADC), 3x RS-232 (2x Tx/Rx, 1x Tx/Rx/CTS/RTS), Audio 1 & 2 […]

May 18, 2014May 21, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

Ubuntu 14.04 and Slitaz on Radxa Rock

Various Android and Linux images are available on Radxa Rock download page, but if you’d like to get newer images or other options, two developers have provided binaries and posted instructions to get Ubuntu 14.04 and Slitaz operating systems, the later currently booting with Linux kernel 3.10. Naoki FUKAUMI has published a miniroot how-to install a Ubuntu 14.04 Core (minimal headless installation) on Radxa Rock and Radxa Rock Lite. Installation should be relatively easy as he provide the update.img for both board so your can use the usual method in Windows (RkBatchTool) or upgrade_tool in Linux. If you don’t have serial console, you’ll have need to flash the parameter file requiring RkAndroidTool in Windows, and the same upgrade_tool in Linux. If once the installation and configuration is complete, you want a desktop environment,you can always run “apt-get install lubuntu-desktop” to install LXDE. SliTaz is a lightweight Linux distribution. I previously […]

May 18, 2014May 18, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 19 Comments

Linux Kernel 3.10.33 Source Code Released for Amlogic S802 (Part of Tronsmart Vega S89 SDK)

We already had the kernel source for Amlogic S802. The previous code found on Amlogic website, and based on Linux 3.10.10. I’ve been informed there’s a new release based on Linux 3.10.33, and apparently the code based used for Tronsmart Vega S89 (aka Beelink M8, S82), and the new Tronsmart Vega S89-H with proper Dolby & DTS support. Beside a new version, the kernel adds support for a new platform called “meson8 baby” and HDMI IN support, as well a several changes in AMlogic source such as GPU cooling.. All device tree files also seem to have been amended mostly with I2C and thermal settings. It is not a full release, and the hardware directory with GPU, TVIN, Wi-Fi, and NAND drivers is not included. Having said that, it should be possible to use the drivers from the previous release. Meson6 (Amlogic AML8726-MX) source code is also included, and appears […]

May 16, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments

Hello Klick is a Pressy Android Button Clone that Sells for as low as $2

Last year, Pressy launched a Kickstarter campaign for a physical button that fits into the audio jack of your Android mobile devices, and was sold for $17 in their extra successful campaign. Now you can pre-order a Pressy button for about $27, or a bit less if you order in quantities. Last month, Xiaomi showed a blatant clone of Pressy with their Mi Click that they sell for 4.9 RMB (~0.80 USD) in China. Some sellers are even re-selling the items on Aliexpress for nearly $10. It turns out there appears to be quite a few clones of the Pressy button, including Hello Klick which you can buy for $4 to $5, as even as low as $2 per piece if you order 10 Klicks. And these prices include international shipping. It’s also on Taobao starting at 4.99 RMB. It seems some models come with a stereo jack, whereas others come […]

May 16, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Congatec Unveils conga-IGX Industrial mini-ITX Boards Powered by AMD G-series SoC

Congatec has recently introduced three new industrial Mini-ITX motherboards powered by dual and quad AMD Embedded G-Series SoCs, namely GX-210HA, GX-217GA, and GX-420CA, all integrated Radeon HD graphics. The company’s conga-IGX embedded motherboards are said to be particularly suited for cost-sensitive visualization and control applications. Congatec conga-IGX specifications: SoC AMD Embedded GX-210HA (2 x 1.0 GHz, L2 cache 1MB, 9 W) with AMD Radeon HD 8210E graphics @ 300 MHz AMD Embedded GX-217GA (2 x 1.65 GHz, L2 cache 1MB, 15 W) with with AMD Radeon HD 8280E graphics @ 450 MHz AMD Embedded GX-420CA (4 x 2.0 GHz, L2 cache 2MB, 25 W) with with AMD Radeon HD 8400E graphics @ 600 MHz System Memory – 2x SO DIMM Socket (1.5V / 1.35V), for up to 16GB single Channel DDR3-1333 (CL9) / DDR3-1600 (CL11) SDRAM, unbuffered, no ECC Storage – 1x mSATA (SATA-III), 2x SATA connectors Connectivity – 2x […]