Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 19 Comments on Q88Pro / Q88H Tablet Featuring AllWinner A23 Processor Goes for $50 and up

Q88Pro / Q88H Tablet Featuring AllWinner A23 Processor Goes for $50 and up

Yesterday, I wrote a post about what may be the cheapest Android tablet currently: SF-M703A. This single core Cortex A8 tablet based on AllWinner A13 could be actually based on the same platform as Q88, one of the best selling tablet from China, and it costs as low as $44. Today, I’ve found out that tablets based on AllWinner A23 dual core Cortex A7 SoC are starting to hit the (virtual) shelf including Q88Pro, aka Q88H, tablets, which sells for as low as $49.88 including shipping, or just $6 more than the single core version. Today, I’ll compare the specifications between the cheapest single core tablet to the cheapest dual core tablet. SF-M703A / Q88 Q88Pro / Q88H SoC AllWinner A13 cortex A8 @ 1.0 GHz with ARM Mali-400 GPU AllWinner A23 dual core Cortex A7 @ 1.0 GHz with ARM Mali-400MP2 GPU System memory 512 MB RAM Storage 4GB […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments on Fedora 20 “Heisenbug” Release Makes ARM a Primary Architecture

Fedora 20 “Heisenbug” Release Makes ARM a Primary Architecture

Fedora has been supporting ARM architecture for a while now, but it was only as a secondary architecture without official support. With the recent Fedora 20 release, nicknamed “Heisenbug”, the ARM architecture, more exactly ARMv7 hard float and greater, is promoted to a primary architecture meaning ARMv7 will have the same status as x86 and x86_64 architectures with packages officially build and supported by the Fedora community. What it does not mean however, due to the nature of ARM architecture, is that you can simply download an ISO to install on any ARM platforms, like you would do on an Intel or AMD computer. It’s a little more complicated than that, as it is platform specific, but instructions are available for the Beaglebone Black, Compulab Trimslice, the Wandboard, Calxeda Energycore Midway and Highbank, and Versatile Express in QEMU. You can download images with MATE, KDE, XFCE, LXDE, SOAS desktops, as […]

Khadas Edge2 Arm mini PC
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on LG Announces Chromebase, an All-in-one PC running Chrome OS

LG Announces Chromebase, an All-in-one PC running Chrome OS

LG has put out a press release announcing the company will unveil the first-ever Chromebase, an all-in-one computer powered by Google Chrome OS, at CES 2014. So after the Chromebooks and Chromeboxes, we now have a new category of Chrome OS device: Chromebases. LG computer will come with an Intel Celeron CPU, but future Chromebase computers might also run on ARM platform. Technical specifications: Processor – Intel Celeron CPU System Memory – 2 GB Storage – 16GB iSSD Display: 21.5″  Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS monitor Video – HDMI-in USB – 3x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0 Connectivity – LAN Camera – 1.3MP 720p Audio – 5W speakers + microphone The computer will come with a keyboard, a mouse, and a cable organizer. LG will showcase their Chromebase in Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall #8204, during CES 2014, from Tuesday, January 7 through Friday, January 10. There’s no […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 18 Comments on TBS Matrix ARM mini PC Features Freescale i.MX6Q, Supports USB DVB Tuners

TBS Matrix ARM mini PC Features Freescale i.MX6Q, Supports USB DVB Tuners

TBS, a producer of digital TV tuners for PC, has decided to launch their own ARM mini PC called Matrix to interface with their USB DVB tuners. The board is based on Freescale i.MX6 Quad ARM Cortex A9 SoC with 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC flash, and costs about $150. The company also claims to have XBMC, VDR, Tvheadend software running on the platform. Here are the specifications for this quad core ARM board / computer (Codename: TBS2910): SoC – Freescale i.MX6 Quad (MCIMX6Q5EYM10AC) quad core ARM Cortex A9 processor @ 1.0 GHz with Vivante GC2000 3D GPU System Memory – 2GB DDR Storage – 16GB eMMC, SD card slot, micro SD card slot,  and SATA interface USB – 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x USB OTG Video Output – HDMI Audio Output – HDMI and 3.5mm audio jack Connectivity – 10/100/1000M Ethernet, and Wi-Fi  802.11n/b/g Expansion – 16-pin header for […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Jynxbox Android M6 and Jynxbox Live Android TV Players Unboxing Pictures and Videos

Jynxbox Android M6 and Jynxbox Live Android TV Players Unboxing Pictures and Videos

I’ve just received two new devices from theatertvbox.tv, namely Jynxbox Android M6 and Jynxbox Live. Both are Android media player, with the former being a more traditional AMLogic AML8726-MX based Android TV Box with XBMC, and the later being an Internet media streamer based on Rockchip RK3066 that focuses on playing online content from services such as Hulu or Netflix. Today, I’ll start with listing specifications, and showing some unboxing pictures and videos for both players, and write a complete detailed review, at least for the M6, in a few days. Jynxbox Android M6 The device’s specifications are somewhat similar to other AML8627-MX boxes such as Matricom G-Box Midnight MX2 or Tronsmart Prometheus: SoC – AMLogic AML8726-MX dual core ARM Cortex A9 @ 1.5GHz with Mali-400MP2 GPU System Memory – 1GB RAM Storage – 4GB NAND flash + microSD/SDHC slot (up to 32GB) Video Output – HDMI 1.3 and CVBS […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments on The Cheapest Android Tablet? SF-M703A Tablet Sells for $44

The Cheapest Android Tablet? SF-M703A Tablet Sells for $44

I’ve just noticed Liliputing posted an article about Datawind UbiSlate 7Ci tablet, the commercial version of Aakash2 tablet, that sells for $37.99. There are two caveats however: it’s only available in the U.S., and the price does not include a $9.99 shipping charge which brings the total price to $47.98. That’s still dirt cheap, but I’ve decided to look for the cheapest 7″ tablet that ships internationally. I did so on Chinese websites, including Aliexpress, where you can find such tablets for as low as $12 including shipping from sellers without feedback. These are obvious scams, so I filtered the products sold from sellers with decent feedback, and products with reviews. Based on these criteria, the cheapest Android tablet I could find is SF-M703A, or just called 703A. It goes for $43.99 including shipping via Swiss Post. Let’s compare the specifications of SF-M703A with Datawind UbiSlate 7Ci. SF-M703A Datawind UbiSlate […]

Intel Arc Graphics Technology
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments on Xiaomi MiWiFi 802.11ac NAS Powered by Broadcom BCM4709 SoC

Xiaomi MiWiFi 802.11ac NAS Powered by Broadcom BCM4709 SoC

Last month, Xiaomi teased the public with pictures of a new device, but gave very few details. The company have now provided further details, and the box shown below turns out to be an 802.11 NAS (Network Access Storage) powered by Broadcom BCM4709 dual core Cortex A9 Wi-Fi 802.11ac SoC. Xiaomi provided the following technical specifications for MiWiFi NAS: SoC – Broadcom BCM4709 dual-core Cortex A9 processor @ 1 GHz System Memory – 256MB DDR3 Storage – SATA interface with 1TB Hard drive Connectivity 2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports Dual band WiFi 802.11ac (2.4/5GHz) NFC (at the top of the device) USB – 1x USB 2.0 host port Misc – Fan for cooling The company will launch a sale for Beta units on the 19th of December, for the Chinese market only, and the NAS will come disassembled in a wooden case with a TB harddrive, a power supply, cables, […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on GCW Zero Handheld Console Runs 3D Games via Open Source Vivante GPU Drivers (Etnaviv)

GCW Zero Handheld Console Runs 3D Games via Open Source Vivante GPU Drivers (Etnaviv)

GCW Zero is an open source handheld gaming console featuring Ingenic JZ4770 MIPS processor with Vivante GC860 GPU, 512MB RAM, 16GB internal storage, and a 3.5″ LCD with 320×240 pixels. The device runs Linux (OpenDingux) , and retro games and emulators. GCW Zero had a successful kickstarter campaign, and is now available in a few shops such as ThinkGeek (US), DragonBox (EU) for $150 / 125 Euros. Today, I’m writing about this console, not because of amazing specs, nor price, but because it could be the first  device with an embedded SoC that retails with an open source GPU driver. In September of this year, GCW Zero received a firmware update with Etnaviv GPU driver for Vivante GC860 adding support for 3D games via OpenGL ES support. The video below shows Quake 3 Arena running on the game console with the Etnaviv drivers. Lots of OpenGL ES1 and 2 features […]

Khadas VIM4 SBC