Category: Favorite companies

YouTube Shopping is the future (my idea)

Posted by – July 31, 2019

This is my first unrehearsed draft trying to explain my vision of what I think YouTube Shopping should be. YouTube Shopping is an idea for a service that I think is just basic common sense and that I think YouTube needs to implement to 10x increase monetization for all YouTubers and thus to 10x increase the quality of content published on YouTube. It’s basically the automatic 1-click purchasing of relevant products automatically detected to be relevant to every specific video on YouTube. If the video talks about cameras it may be a link to purchase the camera. Whatever the video is about, YouTube’s algorithms can always detect a relevant product to be able to sell to the viewers of that video. But it should not be considered advertising. Just as Google Shopping must support all third party price comparison engines, integrate every web store in the world, YouTube Shopping must be able to integrate with Amazon Prime, with all other price comparison and all other web stores on the web, as long as they also provide commissions per sale. And not just regular e-commerce, also all other affilate sales systems should be integrated. And that relevant product can be adjusted by the YouTuber and eventually by the viewer too if YouTube’s algorithm identifies the wrong product. There may be more than one relevant product at any given time in any video too. Some may want to buy the camera that I am talking about, others may want to buy the t-shirt that I am wearing, others may want to buy the merchandise that I am selling.

Onyx BOOX firmware 2.1.2: sync, speech recognition, definitions, bookmarks, copy/paste and more

Posted by – July 29, 2019
Category: Onyx, Exclusive video

Here in Barcelona, Andreu Coll Onyx BOOX European Sales and Marketing Representative presenting some of the new firmware features such as the Speech recognition where the BOOX can convert said words in for example a meeting into digital text inside the BOOX note app. When in Side Notes feature, users can highlight word/s and look for the meaning on the Internet. E-Book Bookmarks can now be renamed. Text can be copied from Apps or Internet and pasted in the Note App text input. The the BOOX Sync users can bind their BOOX device with Evernote or Dropbox account for example and all notes can be synchronized and can be found and edited also from other device such as a smartphone or laptop. Also, users can download 3rd party Apps such as OneNote or OneDrive and also upload notes or download documents already on the cloud.

All the available BOOX devices are listed here:
Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/2Mpd3uW
All Products
Also available in Amazon Spain, Italy, Germany, UK, France, Canada.

Users, fans and potential customers of BOOX can contact Andreu Coll directly here: andreu@onyx-international.com and he will also check and respond to comments here under the video.

BOOX at EDIX Japan 2019

Posted by – July 24, 2019
Category: Onyx, Exclusive video

BOOX shows their E Ink tablets/pads at the EDIX Japan Education conference. In this video, BOOX products and BOOX education system platform are introduced at EDIX Japan, these devices can be used in classrooms and are good for kids and adults since are eye-friendly, have a low power battery and weight less than carrying a bag full of books for the small kid.

NXP i.MX 8X, CODESYS, EtherCAT, OPC UA, Android, RIMAC at the Toradex Booth

Posted by – July 9, 2019

Toradex’s NXP i.MX 8X based System on Module. The i.MX 8X SoCs comes with up to 4x Cortex-A35 and 1x Cortex-M4. The Cortex-A35 is an extreme power-effective 64bit Arm Core, the M4 is used to offload real-time tasks, check for errors to increase safety, and check for errors to further lower the power consumption.
The RAM and cache on the 8X can be protected with ECC (Error Correction Code) which make these SoMs ideal for critical applications such as Industrial Automation, Medical, Railways, etc.
Toradex shows the Colibri iMX8X running a GPU accelerated Qt application. The Apalis iMX8X with ECC will be available soon The Industrial 4.0 demo shows a Real-time Time Motion Control Application. A Toradex Apalis iMX6 powers the Midi-Eagle Computer from Diamond Systems featuring dual ethernet interfaces A CODESYS Soft PLC Stack is running on top of real-time Linux with a motion controller software. The motors are connected via EtherCAT. The system also utilizes an OPC-UA Server from Matrikon The demo was put together by the experienced Toradex Partner BE.Services.
RIMAC, famous for its insanely fast electric cars, demonstrates how the pin-compatibility of the Toradex SoM allows them to simply upgrade from an Apalis iMX6 to an Apalis iMX8QM.
Kynetics is providing Android support for Toradex modules. They show off Android on the i.MX 8 QuadMax but also on the i.MX 7 utilizing the integrated Cortex-M4 Core.
This allows it to run on the Cortex M4 Core an RTOS such as FreeRTOS and offload tasks.
Kynetics also provides an over-the-air (OTA) solution called Update Factory for IoT applications based on Eclipse hawkBit.

Toradex https://www.toradex.com/
Diamond Systems Midi-Eagle Computers http://www.diamondsystems.com/products/midieagle
Matrikon OPC UA https://www.matrikonopc.com/
BE.services https://www.be-services.net/
RIMAC and Toradex https://www.toradex.com/applications/automotive-infotainment/rimac
Kynetics https://www.kynetics.com/android-bsp/toradex

ARM Mali-D77 Press Conference at SID Display Week 2019

Posted by – July 2, 2019

At SID Display Week 2019, Arm officially launches the Arm Mali -D77 DPU display processor that significantly improves the VR user experience with dedicated hardware functions for VR HMDs, namely: Lens Distortion Correction (LDC), Chromatic Aberration Correction (CAC) and Asynchronous Timewarp (ATW). These are on top of the already feature rich Mali-D71 DPU for premium mobile devices, Mali-D77 changes the way we think about VR workload distribution across the SoC. It enables a significant step-up in the display resolutions and frame rates that can be achieved within the power constraints of mobile VR HMD devices. This will pave the way towards lighter, smaller, more comfortable VR devices free from any cables, which, in turn, could drive the widespread adoption of consumer VR.

Arm Mali-D77 Interview: Game-changing display processor technology for VR

Posted by – June 30, 2019

At SID Display Week 2019, Arm Mali -D77 DPU display processor is launched, that significantly improves the VR user experience with dedicated hardware functions for VR HMDs, namely: Lens Distortion Correction (LDC), Chromatic Aberration Correction (CAC) and Asynchronous Timewarp (ATW). These are on top of the already feature rich Mali-D71 DPU for premium mobile devices, Mali-D77 changes the way we think about VR workload distribution across the SoC. It enables a significant step-up in the display resolutions and frame rates that can be achieved within the power constraints of mobile VR HMD you can read more about the Mali-D77 here: https://community.arm.com/developer/tools-software/graphics/b/blog/posts/introducing-the-arm-mali-d77-display-processor

Torizon industrial Linux software platform from Toradex


At Embedded World 2019, Toradex shows off its brand new Linux Platform called Torizon, for the first time. Torizon is an open source project based on the Yocto Project, it comes free with Toradex System on Modules (SoMs) including NXP i.MX 6, 7 and 8 SoCs. Torizon is ideal for developers who like to take advantage of the extensive Linux ecosystem, but don’t like to spend time on low-level Linux development. Torizon is built for the requirements of modern industrial embedded/IoT applications in mind. It uses Docker for software containerization, features an Automotive Grade Remote Update Client, supports real-time and has built-in security features. In the video, Samuel, CEO of Toradex, shows the integration with Visual Studio and highlights how it simplifies life for those moving from the Windows and Windows Embedded Compact ecosystem. In the second demo, you can see Debian running in Docker Containers. The last demo shows off the safe and secure over-the-air (OTA) updates and a possible backend to manage a fleet of devices. The update client is Uptane-compatible.

If you’d like to know more about Torizon, you can join Toradex’s Webinar:
https://www.toradex.com/webinars/introducing-torizon-easy-to-use-industrial-linux-platform

If you’d like to learn more about the AI Wall at the end, see my previous video here.

Qt with Toradex and KDAB at Embedded World 2019

Posted by – April 17, 2019

Qt’s (https://qt.io) partnership with Toradex (https://toradex.com) makes the deployment of Qt extremely easy, allowing deployment to a device from day one. The integration is realized with the Toradex Easy Installer (https://www.toradex.com/tools-libraries/toradex-easy-installer). KDAB (https://www.kdab.com/) shows that a Qt Touch UI can run smoothly even on hardware without a GPU, in this case a Toradex Colibri System on Module featuring a NXP i.MX 6ULL. Qt is a very popular C++ Framework for embedded devices, talking about the history of Qt and Qtopia an old application platform for phones and handhelds such as the Archos PMA430 which I filmed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoBHeXnAVhY Qt 3D Studio is shown on a Toradex SoM with the high end NXP i.MX8 QuadMax. In the booth walk with Santtu, you can see demos such as Qt on microcontrollers and get some insight into the new developer experience. In the KDAB area, you will see KUEAS a tool which simplifies the workflow for 3D content and GammaRay for debugging. KDAB is a partner of Qt and Toradex and can help with application development.

Arm Neoverse N1 and E1

Posted by – March 26, 2019
Category: Servers, MWC, ARM

The Neoverse N1 CPU is optimized for a wide range of cloud native server workloads executing at a world-class compute efficiency. This enables an infrastructure transformation where processing is pushed to the edge where data is generated, thereby providing more scalability than moving all data to centralized datacenters.

The Arm Neoverse E1 CPU delivers best-in-class throughput efficiency. It incorporates a new simultaneous multithreading (SMT) microarchitecture design. With SMT, the processor can execute two threads concurrently resulting in better aggregate throughput performance.

The Neoverse E1 delivers 2.1x more compute performance, 2.7x more throughput performance and 2.4x better throughput efficiency compared to the Cortex-A53. The design is highly scalable to support throughput demands for next generation edge to core data transport.

Shiratech 96Boards Sandwich = Dragonboard 410c + LTE Mezzanine + Bosch Sensor + FPGA Mezzanine


Shiratech and Arrow 96boards Mezzanine sandwich features the DragonBoard 410c with 3 mezzanines and an arduino shield with the DragonBoard 410c as the base board, a Shiratech LTE Mezzanine, a Bosch Sensor Mezzanine and a Shiratech FPGA Mezzanine.

Thea Aldrich, Zephyr Project Evangelist and Developer Advocate

Posted by – March 24, 2019

Interview with Thea Aldrich at Linaro Connect talking about Project Zephyr the open source project for the embedded world. You can read more about her at https://www.zephyrproject.org/meet-thea-aldrich/

Open Source Android Kernels with Todd Kjos of Google and Bero


Todd Kjos of the Android Kernel team at Google, and Bero of the Linaro Mobile Group, talk at Linaro Connect Vancouver, they talk about running Android on the mainline kernel, trying to get closer to mainline, enabling test boards and devices to run mainline Linux. Getting some of the Android specific things that were kept out of the tree into the Linux tree.

Toradex shows Deep Learning Accelerators, Edge AI with Gyrfalcon, Xnor.ai, Movidius and More


Toradex shows their deep learning inference solutions at Embedded World 2019, using power-efficient, Arm-based System on Modules, as machine learning and deep learning using neural networks progress is accelerating with successful new applications in computer vision for the embedded world. Toradex simplifies the integration of these technologies into products with its System on Modules, training deep learning models on high-performance computers with frameworks like TensorFlow, with optimizations needed to improve performance on low-power embedded Linux devices such as the ones Toradex partners with Au-Zone, Xnor.ai and Antmicro and others to bring to the embedded market. Implementing these dedicated neural network accelerators can boost the performance of embedded devices while keeping power consumption low, as shown in Toradex’s solutions with Intel Movidius Myriad and Gryfalcon Lightspeeur. Toradex partners with Allied Vision to showcase the brand-new Alvium industrial MIPI CSI-2 camera as a crucial component in the pasta detection demo which uses an Apalis System on Module featuring the NXP i.MX 8 QuadMax SoC with Cortex-A72, Cortex-A53 and dual OpenCL-capable GPU. To learn more about the demo, see CNX-Software’s blog post. A real-world application example of deep learning is Manta, a camera-based drowning detection system from Coral Detection Systems which is solar-powered, and the video analytics are done on a Toradex Apalis module featuring a Nvidia TK1 SoC with a CUDA-enabled GPU. If a person is at risk of drowning, the system can alert its user acoustically or via smartphone.

TechNexion shows i.MX8M Mini, Intel Apollo Lake, Qualcomm QCA9377, QCA6174 at Embedded World 2019


TechNexion shows their lineup of new devices based on the ultra low-power NXP i.MX8M Mini in their ultra-small PICO form factor combining ARM Cortex-A53 and an M4 microcontroller at embedded world 2019, it supports Android, Linux, Yocto, Ubuntu OS is only 37 x 40 mm and at a low cost. The SoM integrates a fully certified wireless module PIXI-9377 based on Qualcomm QCA9377. They also show their Qualcomm QCA9377, QCA6174 devices and more. TechNexion announces two new SoM families: AXON and FLEX. AXON is a product family of small form factor (58 x 37 mm) modules designed for specialized embedded applications requiring another dimension of I/O flexibility. AXON-IMX8M-MINI is also based on NXP i.MX8M Mini applications processor and features AXON Fabric programmable logic, a specialized IC that provides additional functions including nearly infinite pinmuxing, allowing for true pin-to-pin compatibility between SoC versions. FLEX series, on the other hand, is a low-cost family making use of low-cost LPDDR4 SO-DIMM connector. FLEX-IMX8M-MINI (69.6 x 35 mm) offers HD multimedia streaming and integrated 3D graphics at a price point for the cost sensitive market. TechNexion launches several products based on Intel Apollo Lake processor family (Intel Atom x5-E3930, x5-E3940 or x7-E3950) that can be easily deployed in diverse industrial applications ranging from manufacturing robots and machinery, to radar and sensors on ships, trains and automobiles, to in-vehicle experience, video systems and more. TC-1010-APL and TC-1560-APL Multi Touch HMIs come in 10.1” and 15.6” sizes. On the other hand, TCK3-APL is a ruggedized box PC fully customizable to handle your projects with IoT integration. TechNexion also shows their expanded lineup of fully certified (CE / ETSI / FCC / IC / RCM / TELEC) PIXI and STIX series combo wireless communication modules based on Qualcomm QCA9377 and QCA6174 solutions. The modules are available in several M.2 and in the mini-PCIe form factor.

€299 Archos Diamond bezel-less, Archos Oxygen, Smart Speakers, Smart Lights and 101S Oxygen Tablet

Posted by – March 7, 2019

Archos Diamond has a 6.39″ HD+ 2160×1080 AMOLED display, powered by the MediaTek Helio P70 ARM Cortex-A73/A53 octa-core CPU with an ARM Mali-G72 GPU. Archos Oxygen 68 at 149eur, 63 at 129eur, 57 at 99eur. Archos also shows their Amazon Alexa smart speakers, the 19.90eur Archos Smart LED Lights that work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Archos 101S Oxygen Tablet based on MediaTek X20 deca-core with 3GB RAM and 32GB Flash, comes with a special charging and speaker dock.

$449 Qualcomm Robotics RB3 Platform Snapdragon 845 Development Board, Embedded World 2019 booth tour


Qualcomm and Thundercomm launches the Robotics RB3 Platform 96Boards development board (available for $449 at Thundercomm), supports the development of smart, power-efficient, and cost-effective robots, uses heterogeneous computing and Qualcomm Artificial (AI) Engine to support on-device machine learning, computer vision, robust security, multimedia, Wi-Fi, and cellular connectivity capabilities, based on the Qualcomm SDA845/Qualcomm SDM845 SoC. It includes hardware, software, and development tools, the Qualcomm Robotics RB3 platform is designed to help manufacturers and developers create robotic products, ranging from large industrial and enterprise robots to small battery-operated ones with challenging power. This video also features a tour of the Qualcomm booth at Embedded World 2019, featuring all the LTE for IoT modems such as the MDM9206 and the MDM9205 LTE IoT modem, and development boards available from Qualcomm’s partners including Geniatech, Intrinsyc, eInfoChips, Altek, Inforce Computing, Keith and Koep, Shiratech, Basler and more.

Latest from ARM at Embedded World 2019

Posted by – March 3, 2019

Thomas Ensergueix, ARM Senior Director of Embedded, talks about the ARMv8-M processors that are now shipping, ARM Cortex-M23, and ARM Cortex-M33, implementing more and more advanced security in the Embedded market. ARM Platform Security Architecture (PSA) certification Levels being developed with their partners, and releasing Helium ARMv8.1-M for a next level Machine Learning in the ARM Microcontrollers market. At this event, ARM also with Raspberry Pi foundation celebrates the 25 million Raspberry Pi development boards that have been shipped since I filmed this video at ARM Techcon 2011 as one of the first on the web about the Raspberry Pi.

ARM Helium Armv8.1-M architecture, Machine Learning on ARM Cortex-M

Posted by – March 3, 2019

Jem Davies, ARM VP, Fellow and GM, Machine Learning Group talks about ARM’s new Helium Machine Learning architecture for the ARM Cortex-M based microcontrollers, as a follow on to ARM CMSIS-NN Neural Network Kernels which Boosted Efficiency in Microcontrollers by 5x last year, now ARM launches Helium ARMv8.1-M to improve machine learning performance, with up to 50x on machine learning workloads, about 5x improvement in performance for regular DSP based workloads, as open source software and the new ARMv8.1-M architecture to be integrated in Microcontroller designs to come in the future.

Kopin Golden-i Smart Glass at CES 2019

Posted by – February 9, 2019

Golden-i is preparing to revolutionize the world of adjustable/customizable life enhancing smart glasses, at its 8th Generation (I have filmed Golden-i prototype developments since 2011 here and here), the Golden-i team has reached this yet smallest Smart Glass implementation that works with USB Type-C Displayport phones (for now on slightly modified firmwares) to output the full potential of the Smart Phone right into the hands free Smart Glass computing user interface.

INVECAS shows World’s First HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.3 Chip & IP Solutions for TV, AVR, Soundbar and STB

Posted by – January 29, 2019

INVECAS Showcases its Chip & IP Solutions for HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.3 at the 2019 International CES in Las Vegas, Demonstrating the 8K 60Hz Home Theater Experience in Conjunction with Samsung QLED 8K. The three new ICs from INVECAS each support 8K Ultra High Definition video at 60Hz, as well as 4K UHD video at 120Hz, each as outlined in the latest HDMI 2.1 specification. The INV4789 Port Processor IC is ideal for TV designs, the INV4788 Transmitter IC is targeted for set top box and media player applications, and the INV4781 Switching IC is configured for AVR and soundbar designs. The ICs are now sampling to customers. Key Features include:

– 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz as outlined in the HDMI 2.1 specification
– Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
– Support for Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) modes
– Support for static & dynamic HDR allowing for extended dynamic range and wide color gamut support
– HDCP 2.3 premium content protection