CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

October 29, 2015March 13, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 26 Comments

Getting Started with NodeMCU Board Powered by ESP8266 WiSoC

Since ESP8266 is now so popular, I’ve recently bought a NodeMCU board to try it. I selected this board because the latest version of the board is breadboard-friendly, integrates a USB to serial chip, and it can be powered by a simple USB to micro USB cable. I also noticed a ESP8266 tutorial with NodeMCU firmware by SwitchDoc Labs the other day (using ESP-12 and Adafruit Huzzah), which I applied to my NodeMCU board, but since I encountered a few issues, I decided to report my findings, and write my own little getting started guide to switch on/off LED and GPIOs using a web interface. NodeMCU v0.9 and NodeMCU v1.0 If you are going to purchase a NodeMCU board it’s important to know there are two official versions: NodeMCU v0.9 with ESP-12 module NodeMCU v1.0 with ESP-12E module The main complain about NodeMCU v0.9 is that while it fits on […]

October 28, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 25 Comments

$47 Beelink MINI MX Android 5.1 TV Box Features Amlogic S905 Processor

It really feels like Christmas is around the corner, as deals on new and existing products keep on coming. About two weeks ago, I noted one of the first TV boxes based on Amlogic S905 processor, MXQ Pro, was starting (pre-)selling for as low as $48. Not bad for a device that is supporting HDMI 2.0 and 10-bit HEVC up to 4K @ 60 fps. Since then the price has gone up a little to $52 shipped, but Beelink MINI MX has started to up show up on a few sites, and the device is pre-sold for $46.89 on GearBest with GBMINIX coupon. The case is very similar to Allwinner H3 based Beelink X2, and the specifications similar to the ones for MXQ Pro: SoC – Amlogic S905 quad core ARM Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.0GHz with penta-core Mali-450MP GPU @ 750 MHz System Memory – 1GB DDR3 Storage – […]

October 28, 2015February 9, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

Brillo Android based OS for IoT Projects Supports ARM, Intel and MIPS Platforms

You’d think there are already enough lightweight operating systems that could provide a good enough platform for IoT and embedded projects, but Google decided to make their own Brillo operating system for IoT, based on Android, most probably to leverage the existing Android tools, and make it easier for app developers to move to the Internet of Things space. Brillo ‘s hardware requirements are pretty low as the operating system can run on devices with 32MB of RAM, and 128MB of storage. Google will provide a complete ecosystem with an embedded OS, core services, and a developer kit with tools to build, test, and debug. Just like in Android, three architectures will be be officially supports, starting with the following hardware platforms: ARM – TechNexion Pico-i.MX6UL system-on-module based on Freescale i.MX6 UltraLite and Broadcom BCM4339 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0 wireless module, combined with PICO-DWARF baseboard. MIPS – Upcoming MIPS Creator […]

October 28, 2015October 28, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

Element14 and Raspberry Pi Trading Launch a Raspberry Pi Customization Service

While the Raspberry Pi Foundation is the main face of the Raspberry Pi board, it only mainly promotes children’s education, and a subsidiary called Raspberry Pi Trading, funded in 2013, handles design, manufacturing and distribution of the Raspberry Pi boards, and puts profits back into the charity. Raspberry Pi Trading has now partnered with Element14 to offer customization services for the Raspberry Pi board. That means you’ll be able to remove or add interfaces and headers, replace the micro SD by a more reliable eMMC flash, add new functionalities to the board, and even re-design the layout in order to better match your project’s requirements. The companies “expect order quantities to start in the region of between 3,000 and 5,000 depending upon the nature of the customization”, so the service does not seem to be available , or cost effective, for smaller orders for a few hundred units. Element14 has […]

October 28, 2015October 28, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

Low Cost 15.6″ Portable DVD Player Could Be Used as a Cheap Battery Powered HDMI Display

I’ve already written about portable displays with products such as Gechic On-Lap Monitors which sells for $200 and AOC USB Portable monitors are also popular, and somewhat cheaper than I expected at $120 and $199 for a 15.6″ display at respectively 1366×768 and 1920×1080 resolution, although if you live outside the US, shipping and import fees deposit bring the price much higher. A search for “portable display” on Aliexpress only showed some smaller 3.5 to 7″ displays, but I’ve been tipped about a 15.6″ portable DVD player selling for $114.53 on Chinavasion that could be used as an external display too thanks to its HDMI input. Specifications of this portable DVD player: SoC – Mediatek Solution Display – 15.6″ TFT LED Screen with 270 degree swivel; 1366×768 resolution; 16:9 aspect ratio Disc support – DVD, CD, EVD, VCD, CD-RW, DVD-R. Hitachi lens Video Output – AV Video Input – HDMI, […]

October 27, 2015May 26, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

$64 Allwinner V3 Action Cameras Support 4K Video Recording (or Not?)

An “Allwinner V3 4K Ultra HD DV Sport Camera” just appeared in GeekBuying product feed which the company sells for $84.39, and searching for alternative sellers led me to Soocoo F60 4K action camera sold for $63.34 on GearBest. Both cameras look the same, and the price appears amazing cheap as 4K cameras such as GoPro Hero4 or Sony X1000V normally sell for $500 and more. But one of the tricks is that both “4K” cameras are likely based on Sunchip 4K camera design, which does support 4K video recording, but only at 15 fps. Soocoo F60 camera specifications: SoC – Allwinner V3 ARM Cortex A7 processor @ 1.2GHz System Memory – N/A Storage – micro SD card up to 64GB Display – 2″ LCD Camera OmniVision OV4689 image sensor (4MP according to sensor page, but 16MP on camera description, probably achieved with extrapolation). 170-degree wide angle Recording time up […]

October 27, 2015October 27, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 39 Comments

Inphic SPOT i5 Android Media Player Costs only $25 (Promo)

If the trend continues, they’ll soon just giveaway TV boxes. After writing about Beelink X2 TV box selling for $31.99 shipped yesterday, I learned that Inphic is organizing a promotion for the launch of their cute Inphic SPOT i5 media player based on Amlogic S805 processor. While the regular price is $26 plus shipping, they’ll offer the first 100 samples for just $13 plus shipping starting at midnight on October 27 (GMT-8), which amounts to $24.22 to my location, and about $25.15 to the US. Inphic i5 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S805 quad core ARM Cortex A5 @ 1.5GHz with Mali-450MP GPU System Memory – 1 GB DDR3 Storage – 8 GB NAND flash + micro SD slot up to 32GB Video & Audio Output – HDMI 1.b up to 1080p60 with CEC support Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (Realtek) USB – 1x micro USB OTG port Misc […]

October 27, 2015October 27, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 18 Comments

Foxconn Kangaroo Intel Atom x5-Z8500 mini PC Includes a Fingerprint Scanner, Sells for $99

Most Cherry Trail mini PCs launched on the market are powered by Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor, and few have been announced with x5-Z8500 or x7-X8700 processors which are more powerful, and do not cost that much more based on Intel’s recommended customer price. Foxconn Kangaroo is one of these mini PCs with an Atom x5-Z8500, 2GB RAM, and 32GB eMMC, which has a bonus includes a fingerprint scanner, and sells for $99 on Newegg. Foxconn Kangaroo specifications: Processor – Intel Atom x5-Z8500 Processor @ 1.44 GHz (up to 2.24 GHz) with 2M Cache and Intel Gen8 Graphics System Memory – 2GB LPDDR3 Storage – 32GB eMMC + micro SD slot Video & Audio Output – HDMI Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11ac & Bluetooth 4.0 USB – 1x micro USB port (for charging only), 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0 Misc – Fingerprint reader, 40-pin proprietary Kangaroo adapter, power button Battery Life […]