Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Orbitty is a $175 Carrier Board for Nvidia Jetson TX1 System-on-Module

Orbitty is a $175 Carrier Board for Nvidia Jetson TX1 System-on-Module

Connect Tech had already launched Astro carrier board for Nvidia Tegra X1 based Jetson TX1 CPU module, which they also integrated into Rosie Military Grade Embedded mini PC. Since them the Canadian company had also introduced a low cost “Elroy” carrier board , and more recently, a third cheaper baseboard called Orbitty selling for  $175 and up, and including Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 & 2.0 ports, HDMI, and more. Orbitty (ASG003) carrier board specifications: Compatibility – Nvidia Jetson TX1 system-on-module Storage – micro SD slot Video & Audio Output – 1x HDMI Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) USB – 1x USB 3.0 port, 1x micro USB 2.0 OTG port Expansion Header – 20-pin header with 2x 3.3V UART, I2C, 4x GPIO, etc… Power Supply – 9 to 19V DC via terminal block Dimensions – 87 x 50mm Operating Temperature – -40°C to +85°C The carrier board targets robotics and unmanned […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Brixo are LEGO Blocks for IoT and Robotics Applications (Crowdfunding)

Brixo are LEGO Blocks for IoT and Robotics Applications (Crowdfunding)

Brixo, an Israeli start-up, has designed LEGO compatible blocks – also called Brixo – that conduct electricity, embed sensors, Bluetooth connectivity LED lights, or even motors. You simply use them as any LEGO blocks, but you can control them using light, sound, or your smartphone. There are three type of blocks Connector blocks – Made of chrome and used to connect the trigger blocks to the action blocks. They act like wires. Trigger blocks – They include Bluetooth connectivity, a proximity sensor, a light sensor, or/and  a sound sensor Action blocks – LED lights or motors blocks They also have a smart battery block with Bluetooth LE designed for a 9V rectangular battery. Now get some of your existing LEGO accessories, and start having fun. The demo below shows the battery block on the right, some connector blocks, and various triggers and action blocks. You don’t even need any smartphone […]

Khadas Edge2 Arm mini PC
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 26 Comments on Pyra Open Source Debian Handheld Computer & Game Console is Now Available for Pre-order

Pyra Open Source Debian Handheld Computer & Game Console is Now Available for Pre-order

The development of Pyra open source portable gaming console started in 2014, and after over two years of hard work, the developers are now ready to take pre-order of the Texas Instruments OMAP 5 powered device running Debian Linux. Pyra handheld specifications have changed a little bit since the announcement two years ago: SoC – Texas Instruments OMAP 5432 SoC with 2x ARM Cortex-A15 @ 1.7Ghz with NEON SIMD, 2x ARM Cortex-M4, Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX544-MP2 GPU for 3D graphic, and Vivante GC320 GPU for 2D graphics System Memory – 2GB or 4GB RAM Storage – 32 GB eMMC flash, 2x SDXC card slot, 1x internal micro SDXC card slot Display – 720p 5″ LCD with resistive touchscreen Video Output – micro HDMI Audio I/O – High-quality speakers, analog volume wheel, headset port, built-in Mic Gaming controls – D-Pad, 4x shoulder buttons, 6x face buttons, 2x accurate analog controls with […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on Wandboard Development Boards Get Android 6.0 Marshmallow Support

Wandboard Development Boards Get Android 6.0 Marshmallow Support

Wandboard development boards powered by Freescale i.MX6 Solo, Dual and Quad Cortex A9 processors were released over 3 years ago with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Contrary to many other boards that don’t get an updated version, Wandboard boards got support for Android 4.4 Kitkat, Android 5.x Lollipop, and now the community has recently released Android 6.0 Marshmallow. You can try the Android 6.0 SD card image as follows:

Where /dev/sdX is the device for your SD card. If you can remember the first Jellybean release had separate images for each version of the board, but thanks to device tree implementation, a single image is now released with all three versions. The full source code is also available in a 5.0 GB tarball. Since Freescale, now NXP, i.MX6 processors will be available until November 2022, we can most probably expect a few more Android releases for the board.

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments on Electrodragon WiFi IoT Relay Includes ESP8266 Module, AC Power, and Enclosure for $6

Electrodragon WiFi IoT Relay Includes ESP8266 Module, AC Power, and Enclosure for $6

Thanks to ESP8266, the cost of WiFi relays has dramatically come down, but so far, I could not find an all-in-one solution with ESP8266, relay, AC power and enclosure, and for example I’m still using NodeMCU board, a relay board, a USB power supply, and put all that into a plastic jar in order to control a water pump. It works but it’s not ideal, and solutions like Wemos D1 mini with relay shield improves things further, but Electrodragon has come with a connect-and-play WiFi IoT relay that integrates everything including the case for $6 + shipping. Wifi IoT Relay Board Based on ESP8266: WiFi module – ESP-12F based on Espressif ESP8266EX WiSoC Relays – 2x Songle SRD-05VDC-SL-C relays supporting 125VAC/10A, 250VAC/10A, 30VDC/10A, 28VDC/10A Input/Output – 3x terminal blocks for relay and power Expansion – 12-pin header with Rx/Tx,  GPIO4, Btn2, GPIO15, 5V/GND,  ADC, GPIO5, Btn1, OUTPUT1, and 3V3 Debugging […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments on Fix for Ubuntu 16.04 “1024×768 Resolution” Problem in VirtualBox

Fix for Ubuntu 16.04 “1024×768 Resolution” Problem in VirtualBox

My main computer is running Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS, and I’m currently waiting for the Ubuntu 16.04.1 before upgrading to the latest version, which should happen in July. In the meantime, I have upgraded one of my VirtualBox image from Ubuntu 14.04 to Ubuntu 16.04, but I had only two options to set the resolution: 1024×768 or 800×600. This is quite a common problem, and usually the solution is to install VirtualBox additions, but this would not do for me. After trying several solutions, including disabling 3D graphics support, without success, I decided to check Additional Drivers, and I noticed only VirtualBox Graphics Adapter driver was enabled. So I also enabled Innotek Systemberatubg GmbH: VirtualBox Guest Service, and Processor microcode firmware for AMD CPUs, and this fixed the issues most likely thanks to the former. I’m running VirtualBox 5.0.18 installed from the ppa.

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 24 Comments on Setup Guide & Mini Review of BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition Tablet from a Developer’s Perspective

Setup Guide & Mini Review of BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition Tablet from a Developer’s Perspective

BQ Aquaris M10 UBuntu Edition is the first officially supported Ubuntu tablet on the market. Blu, a frequent commenter on this blog, has purchased the Full HD version, and in the guest post below, shares his experience setting up the device for development purpose, before shortly providing his overall impressions about the tablet itself. Quick introduction Ever since I had to retire my trusty-but-ancient ARM notebook (a Genesi Efika iMX51) I’ve been looking for a new ARM notebook or perhaps a 2-in-1 device, that I could use for development on the go. The basic requirements are long battery life, passive cooling and reasonable price. Also, Just Enough Power™ for running vim, a couple of toolchains (gcc/clang with gold) and, well, enough grunt to run my coding experiments. Naturally, BQ M10 Ubuntu Edition immediately got my attention to the extent of me placing an order, which got delivered this past week. […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments on Intel Cancels Low Cost Atom Broxton & SoFia SoCs

Intel Cancels Low Cost Atom Broxton & SoFia SoCs

Intel has recently announced it would lay off 11% of its workforce, and has now decided to kill plans for Atom Broxton, successor of Intel Cherry Trail processor, as well as low cost SoFia smartphone SoCs. That’s not really surprising as Intel was reported to have very small margins, or even to subsidy, low cost Intel based smartphones, and mini PCs. Rockchip/Intel Sofia SoC has never been popular with only a handful of smartphones and tablets launched in the last year. Nevertheless, we’ve had it good with $70 Bay Trail TV sticks, and $85 Cherry Trail mini PCs, and Intel is still manufacturing and selling those parts. But in the future, it might not be possible to buy sub $100 mini PCs or tablets with the latest Intel processors, as the company is now focusing on higher margin processors with Intel Core M and Apollo Lake (succeeding Braswell). More details […]

Khadas VIM4 SBC