Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments on Mini Review of NextDrive Plug for Private Cloud Storage and Home Security

Mini Review of NextDrive Plug for Private Cloud Storage and Home Security

NextDrive Plug is an ARM based plug computer that’s used to store your photos or music, and/or as a security system using a webcam combined with Pixi motion sensor. They had a successful crowdfunding campaign, and now that they’ve sent rewards to backers, I’ve also received NextDrive Plug and Pixi for evaluation. The courier was not particularly gentle with the packages, but the devices themselves were not damaged. NextDrive Plus package included the box, a US plug, and a user’s manual in English. Pixi comes with two 3M stickers, and a user’s manual. There’s also a plastic film to avoid depleting the battery, that you’ll need to remove before using the sensor. The interfaces on the plug are minimal with a USB port for a USB mass storage device (HDD, flash drive…) and/or a UVC webcam, and the socket for the power plug adapter on the back.You can then plug […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 35 Comments on HDMI Audio in Linux is Now Working on Cherry Trail mini PCs, OpenELEC 7.0 Image Released

HDMI Audio in Linux is Now Working on Cherry Trail mini PCs, OpenELEC 7.0 Image Released

Since Intel has decided not to officially support Bay Trail and Cherry Trail processors in Linux, and focus on other priorities, people who have tried to use HDMI audio in Linux with mini PCs or TV sticks based on the processors have always had issues. There’s a workaround for Bay Trail mini PCs with Linux 3.16 kernel, but so far I’ve never seen a Cherry Trail system working with HDMI audio in Linux. Luckily, Pierre-Louis Bossart has been working on support, and Piotr kasprzak has tried HDMI audio support with OpenELEC 7.0 and a patched Linux Kernel 4.5.1, and confirmed it to be working on Tronsmart Ara X5 Plus and Wintel 10 Pro mini PC powered by Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor. This can also be verified in the kernel log with dmesg:

If you want to try it yourself, you can download the OpenELEC image with the modifications. If […]

Khadas Edge2 Arm mini PC
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on PiPO KB2 is a Foldable Keyboard PC Running Windows 10

PiPO KB2 is a Foldable Keyboard PC Running Windows 10

We’ve already seen a few Windows 10 keyboard PCs, that look similar to the good old Commodore 64, are now being sold, such as K3 Wintel, but PiPO, a manufacturer that likes to try new ideas, has now designed a foldable keyboard PC powered by a Cherry Trail processor, and featuring a battery and support for WiDi for a cable-free experience. PiPO KB2 foldable computer specifications: SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor @ 1.44 GHz / 1.84 GHz with Intel Gen8 Graphics System Memory – 2 or 4 GB RAM Storage – 32 or 64 GB eMMC flash + micro SD slot Video Output – HDMI Audio Output – HDMI and 3.5 mm audio jack Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11ac & Bluetooth 4.0, WiDi support USB – 1x micro USB port, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0 Foldable QWERTY keyboard Battery – 2500 mAh The mini PC, or however you want […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Doogee Smart Cube P1 Android Projector Unboxing and Quick Try

Doogee Smart Cube P1 Android Projector Unboxing and Quick Try

Doogee Smart Cube P1 is an Android 4.4 projector that looks somewhat like a Rubik’s cube, powered by Amlogic S805 processor and featuring Texas Instruments DLP solution. GearBest sent me a sample for review, and today, I’ll start by checking the device itself, before writing a review in a few days. The mini projector only ships with a 5V/2A power supply / charger, and its USB cable. So your smartphone will have to be the remote control, unless you connect an RF dongle for your air mouse or wireless keyboard. There’s also no user’s manual either. Not that I normally read them, but a description of the features would have still been nice. Anyway, it’s easy enough to find out. The projector is on one side, the blue and yellow side features with a USB port and reset pinhole, and the red and white side, the micro USB port for […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 31 Comments on MiQi Rockchip RK3288 Development Board using Raspberry Pi Form Factor to Sell for $35 and Up

MiQi Rockchip RK3288 Development Board using Raspberry Pi Form Factor to Sell for $35 and Up

Rockchip RK3288 processor may have launched in 2014, but it’s still one of the most powerful processor found in TV boxes for example, and in the past we’ve seen higher end board based on the processor such as Firefly-RK3288 or Radxa Rock 2 Square selling for well above $100. But MQMaker, the company that previously made WiTi router board, is bringing a smaller and cheaper RK3288 development board with MiQi, which definitely looks similar to the Raspberry Pi. MiQi board specifications: SoC – Rockchip 3288 quad core ARM Cortex A17 up to 1.8 GHz with Mali-T764 GPU supporting OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0 /3.0, and OpenCL 1.1 System Memory – 1 or 2G DDR3 depending on model Storage – 8 or 32 GB eMMC flash depending on model + micro SD slot Video & Audio output – HDMI 2.0 up to 3840×2160@60p Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet USB – 4x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB port Debugging […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 24 Comments on Xiaomi Mi Box 3 Enhanced Review

Xiaomi Mi Box 3 Enhanced Review

We’ve already taken Xiaomi Mi Box 3 Enhanced TV box apart in the unboxing and teardown post, and after changing the language to English, seen the performance is excellent thanks Mediatek MT8693 hexa-core processor, so I’ve done further experiments and tests with the device, and will report my findings in this review. Settings and Power Handling and Consumption Mibox 3 Enhanced boots reasonably fast I can get to the user interface within 30 seconds. We’ve already the main GITV user interface in previous posts, but I had not gone through the settings yet. There are eight main sections: Display Resolution settings – 3840×2160 @ 60/50/SMPTE24/30/24 Hz, 1080p @ 60/50 Hz, 720p @ 60/50 Hz, Scale and position – For overscan adjustment Sound Button sounds – On/Off Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format – PCM/Raw data (actually used for HDMI audio pass-through) System_update – MIUI TV firmware OTA update Device & Bluetooth – […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments on LoRaONE is a Small LoRa IoT Development Board Based on Atmel SAMD21 MCU, Microchip LoRaWAN Module (Crowdfunding)

LoRaONE is a Small LoRa IoT Development Board Based on Atmel SAMD21 MCU, Microchip LoRaWAN Module (Crowdfunding)

While there are many long range LPWAN standards, LoRa appears to be one of the most popular with boards such as LoPy, and now SODAQ LoRaONE module hitting crowdfunding campaigns. LoRaONE is powered by an Atmel Cortex M0+ micro-controller, features Microchip RN2483 or RN2903 LoRaWAN module, GPS, and various sensors. LoRaONE board specifications: MCU- Atmel ATSAMD21G18 ARM Cortex M0+ micro-controller @ 48 MHz with 256 KB flash memory, 32KB SRAM, and up to 16 KB EEPROM (by emulation) Connectivity LoRa via Microchip  RN2483 (433/868 MHz) or RN2903 (915 MHz) module depending on your region GPS via u-blox EVA 7M USB – 1x micro USB port for power and programming Expansion headers (unpopulated) 14x digital pin, 12x for analog and 8x for PWM, plus UART, SPI and TWI (I2C) Analog output pin – 10-bit DAC External Interrupts: Available on all pins DC Current per I/O pin: 7 mA Operating Voltage – […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on RTU-5025 GSM Relay Controller Supports Up to 64 Phone Numbers

RTU-5025 GSM Relay Controller Supports Up to 64 Phone Numbers

We’ve already seem boxed WiFi and Bluetooth wireless relays that can be used to turn on and off appliances using a smartphones or web applications, but I’ve just been made aware that GSM relay controllers such as RTU 5025 could also be a good options since they allow for authentication using the mobile number, can be used with any phone, not only smartphones, and don’t cost anything to operate, beside the eventual maintenance cost of the SIM card inside the device, since the relay does not actually answer calls. It can also send an SMS to the owner each time the relay is activated, in which case the cost of SMS might have to be considered. RTU 5025 specifications and key features: Connectivity – GSM PHASE 2/2+@ 850/900/1800/1900 MHz with SIM card slot + GSM antenna Output Relay – 3A/240V Rated Voltage – 12V/1A Working Temperature – -10 to 60 […]

Khadas VIM4 SBC