Category: Chip provider

Socionext CEO Yasuo Nishiguchi at Linaro Connect San Francisco 201

Posted by – September 30, 2017

Following his keynote to introduce Socionext and the recently announced multi-core desktop Arm developer platform Socionext Chairman and CEO Yasuo Nishiguchi PhD talks about servers, SoCs and the company’s new CPU-to-CPU communication technology DDT (Direct Data Transaction), and looks forward to the launch of the new desktop developer platform in the December-January time frame.

Purism Librem Debian phone, fully open source, Librem 11, 13, 15 Laptops

Posted by – September 29, 2017

Purism Phone is crowdfunding at https://puri.sm/shop/librem-5/ ($847’454 raised thus far) runs PureOS based on Debian Free/Libre and Open Source software and a GNU+Linux Operating System, it can run most GNU+Linux distributions, it’s runs many other upstream projects, it’s world’s first ever IP-native mobile handset with end-to-end decentralized communications via Matrix, with a 5″ display, Security focused by design, Privacy protection by default, works with 2G/3G/4G, GSM, UMTS, and LTE networks with an i.MX8 or i.MX6 CPU separate from Baseband with open-source GPU drivers, Hardware Kill Switches for Camera, Microphone, WiFi/Bluetooth, and Baseband. Purism also has a track record of delivering fully open source Intel powered laptops the Librem 11 2-in-1, the Librem 13 and the Librem 15.

Secure96 Security ICs and TPM Mezzanine for 96Boards

Posted by – September 28, 2017

Joakim Bech presents the Secure96 mezzannine security board, daughter board for engineers to work with symmetric, asymmetric IC’s as well as a TPM chip. You can see Joakim Bech’s presentation and slides on this product here.

Bero builds ARM Desktop PC Quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 Marvell MACCHIATObin

Posted by – September 28, 2017

Bero (Bernhard Rosenkränzer) from Linaro is building his own 64bit ARMv8 quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 Desktop PC with Nvidia GPU (possibly with a Radon GPU card support later), 16GB RAM, today is Wednesday, he hopes to have it running by Friday then I can film a new video. Bero and his colleagues have also worked on many other things such as AOSP TV, Trebble related unifying builds adapting a new partition layout enabling automatic updates among kernel builds to work properly.

4K60 HDR on ALi M3755 quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 Set-top-box SoC

Posted by – September 26, 2017

http://alitech.com has shipped over 600 Million SoCs for Set-top-boxes thus far, they are aiming to soon have shipped over 1 Billion Set-top-box SoC chipsets, here showing their new ALi M3755 quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 SoC with Mali400MP2 with 4K60 UHD support with HDR-10 and HLG support with ALi’s HDR2SDR technology, 1080p30 H264 encoding, PiP UHG+FHD or 4xFHD, supporting Linux and Android.

Ali M3733 is an ARM Cortex-A9 SmartHybrid HD DVB-C SoC with advanced security with a 5000DMIPS performance 1080p60 support, 720p60 video encoding support. This chipset is for example used by a Fiber to the home provider in Russia.

M3529 is an entry level MIPS based chipset with a 2000DMIPS performance which ALi has shipped in large quantities to the Indian market already.

$199 Elephone P8, 5.5″ FHD, MediaTek P25

Posted by – September 22, 2017

Elephone P8 4G Phablet ($199 at GearBest) with a 5.5″ FHD bright IPS display, runs on a MediaTek Helio P25 octa-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor built on 16nm FinFET+ process node running at up to 2.5GHz with an ARM Mali-T880 MP2 GPU, 6GB RAM, 64GB flash, Cat-6 LTE, Dual Band WiFi. 16megapixel front camera with selfie flash, 21megapixel rear camera with dual-color temperature flash it can record 4K video. Right now this phone is selling at $199 at GrearBest here.

ARRIS 4K HDR Android TV (Operator Tier) Set-top-boxes with services at IBC 2017

Posted by – September 21, 2017

ARRIS International plc is a world leader in the Set-top-box industry, launches next-generation full Google certified 4K60p HDR HEVC enabled Android TV (Operator Tier for custom UI allowed) product family designed with a modular architecture enabling IPTV (VIP5202, VIP5402 and VIP6102W); DVB-C cable (ZC4515); DVB-T terrestrial (ZT4517) and DVB-S satellite (PS5517), as well as a variety of third-party user experiences integrated and running on Android, addressing the wide range of requirements for cable, telco, satellite and terrestrial operators. Based on Android TV Operator Tier, they offer Wi-Fi connectivity and DVR options, as well as support and integration with DVB networks, and conditional access and DRM security solutions. Arris’s new UHD HDR Set-Top Solutions with Android TV launched at IBC 2017 also provide services capabilities for service providers, allowing for quicker and more efficient launches of customized Android TV experiences with options such as built-in TV tuner, built-in DVR, using different new powerful chipsets for a smooth Android TV experience. Also allowed by Google to let the service providers slightly customize the user interface designs colors to match the design identity of each service provider. As Android is increasingly popular among service providers large and small as it offers fast time to market, greater control over the user interface, and subscriber access to familiar features such as YouTube, Chromecast built-in, and Google Play Store applications. As an open platform, service providers have the freedom and flexibility to create bespoke branded experiences, develop features rapidly, and benefit from revenue share opportunities through the Google Play Store. Complementing ARRIS’s hardware is a suite of services, to help operators integrate and launch Android TV services. These span every phase of adoption, including:
– Assessing and planning for Android TV services
– Customization and integration: development of operator-specific launcher and apps, integration of content security and back-end systems
– Validation and certification: with Google and other third-party applications
– Deployment support: across both new and legacy set-tops
– Lifecycle management: integration, management and testing of mandatory Android updates and upgrades

$1329 Lenovo Yoga 920

Posted by – September 17, 2017

Lenovo launches the Yoga 920 running on the 8th Generation Intel Quad Core U Series. starting with 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB PCIe SSD and a FHD display that has 15 hours of battery life but it can go with up to 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD with a 4K display that can have about 10 hours of battery life. It includes a microphone array to support long-range Windows Cortana voice-assistant that responds to spoken questions and instructions in standby mode from up to 4 meters away. The 4K version has a nearly edgeless 4K display, an optional Bluetooth-equipped Lenovo Active Pen 2 digital pen with Windows Ink that is more sensitive than the first version, that they claim to have no discernible lag with 4096 levels of sensitivity. Built with polished CNC aluminum available in Copper, Bronze and Platinum. It uses a sturdy “watchband hinge” design, two 40Gbps Thunderbolt3 enabled USB Type-C ports with multi-display and fast data transfer.

LG V30 with Plastic OLED

Posted by – September 15, 2017

Here’s my view on the LG V30, a quite nice looking phone with Bang and Olufsen high quality DAC audio, FullVision Plastic OLED nearly bezel-less LG Display (see my LG Display video filmed at SID Display Week 2017 featuring LG’s Plastic OLED display here), it has a nice fingerprint reader on the back (unlike iPhone X). The price is possibly going to be very high (depending on LG’s pricing strategy), something like $699 or $799 maybe.

$379 Meizu Pro 7 dual display, 5.2″ + 1.9″ AMOLED, Mediatek P25

Posted by – September 5, 2017

The Meizu Pro 7 is available to distributors from around $379 through http://www.sparc.hk (contact details listed below) it comes with 64GB Flash, 4GB RAM, Mediatek MT6757T Helio P25 Octa-core 2.6GHz ARM Cortex-A53 on the 16nm FinFET process node, with ARM Mali-T880 GPU, with a Secondary touchscreen 1.9″ AMOLED Display on the back for quick glancing of information without turning the whole phone up, Dual Rear Camera.

Distributors can contact Sparc here:
SPARC Technology Co., Ltd. (HongKong)
Steven Wong, Deputy Chief Sales Officer
http://www.sparc.hk/phone/meizupro7.html
steven@sparc.hk
Skype: hys8703
Mobile: +86-15975354238 (Whatsapp)
https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/22330594/
https://www.facebook.com/sparchk/

Sparc is an offically authorized distributor for wholesales trading partner/distributor for the Meizu M5c, Meizu Pro 7 and the OnePlus5 Eur Spec also among other among other models, you can contact them.

$79 Meizu M5c, 5″ HD, MediaTek MT6737 Quad-core

Posted by – September 5, 2017

Meizu M5c is available to distributors from around $80 through http://www.sparc.hk (more contact details listed below) it comes with 16GB Flash, 2GB RAM, Mediatek MT6737 Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 with Mali T720 MP GPU, Eur Spec, 8 megapixel camera with dual-color flash.

Distributors can contact Sparc here:
SPARC Technology Co., Ltd. (HongKong)
Steven Wong, Deputy Chief Sales Officer
http://www.sparc.hk/phone/meizum5c.html
steven@sparc.hk
Skype: hys8703
Mobile: +86-15975354238 (Whatsapp)
https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/22330594/
https://www.facebook.com/sparchk/

Sparc is an offically authorized distributor for wholesales trading partner/distributor for the Meizu M5c, Meizu Pro 7 and the OnePlus5 Eur Spec also among other among other models, you can contact them.

€4999 BenQ W11000 DLP 4K Projector THX Certified

Posted by – September 3, 2017

BenQ presents their €4999 W11000 DLP 4K UHD home cinema projector, with THX HD Display Certification, cinematic image quality with absolute Rec. 709 color accuracy, 50,000:1 dynamic contrast, rivaling the picture quality of a commercial digital cinema. Producing 8.3 million distinct pixels for dazzling clarity without artifacts from panel misalignment, H/V Lens Shift & Big Zoom Lens for Installation Flexibility.

Sony Xperia XZ1, Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact

Posted by – September 3, 2017

Sony has launched the same functionality as in the 5.5 Sony Xperia XZ Premium (which I filmed here) but in a more compact 5.2″ form factor in the Sony Xperia XZ1 and in a 4.6″ form factor in the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact. One new feature is the 3D Creator which uses Sony’s stacked image sensor to create a 3D scan of any object or person in front of the camera. The Sony Xperia XZ1 has a 19 MP Motion Eye camera with Super slow motion, 5.2” Full-HD HDR display, IP65/68 water resistant2 design and runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform.

65″ and 55″ TCL Xess X2 QLED Android TV

Posted by – September 1, 2017

TCL is the third largest TV manufacturer in the world, aiming to be third most popular TV brand in Europe/USA by 2020. At IFA 2017, TCL presents the U65X9026 (65″) and U55X9026 (55″) Xess X2 65″ and 55″ TCL QLED Android TV, the only Android QLED TV in the world with JBL sound. With very small bezels, Quantum Dot technology, TCL QLED enables their TVs to display richer colours, contrast optimised with Ultra Micro Dimming, 10bit, HDR Pro, 3-channel acoustics on the front from JBL provide high quality sound immersion, with Android TV voice control voice command support. With Android 6.0 support currently, with Android 7.0 support to be added through a firmware update.

In the first quarter of 2017, TCL ranked in top three for global TV shipments, with a market share of 7.3%, according to IHS. In the first half of 2017, TCL LCD TV total sales volume rose by 12.2% year-on-year to 9,603,392 sets (excluding commercial display). LCD TV overseas sales volume reached 5.74 million units, up 34.1% year-on-year, while sales value rose 51.0% year-on-year. TCL ranked the third in France and the Philippines, fourth in Thailand and fifth in Vietnam, Australia and the USA.

ThiEYE T5 Action Camera

Posted by – August 24, 2017

The ThiEYE t5 is a remote controlled action camera with video quality comparable to a GOPRO Hero 5 with 4k/30fps recording. The T5 features a waterproof case and filter ands there are additional cases and filters as well. The price for the T5 is $100 – 150.

$20/month Laptop Subscription service by INSYS


INSYS is a Portuguese company that offers electronics as a monthly service. You can rent a small ulraportable laptop for 20 Euros a month. This 12.5″ display laptop has aluminum body and Ultrabook form factor. The devices can be locked remotely using anti theft technology. The device will lock down if subscription is not paid.

faytech at Computex 2017

Posted by – July 6, 2017

Latest projects and products at faytech booth at Computex, presented by Serena, Andy and Johanna of faytech. Including the 11.6” Butterfly MX device, one of their projects that focuses on residence management using an app, they have made a video about it working well outdoors in the rain, their 42” Capacitive Touch PC embedded in a mirror designed for retail applications, such as shopping malls, shops, restaurants etc. Right after that, the 84” 4K Capacitive Touch Monitor with optical bonding. Then Serena shows several standard products which earn the reputation for faytech. As well as one of major improvements in this year- capacitive touch panel which is compatible with glove and stylus. At last, Johanna shows me their successful project applied to the Indian public transportation system.

You can find more information about some of the devices showed in the video here:
(0:40) The Butterfly MX and other projects
(2:20) 84” 4K Capacitive Touch Monitor (Optically bonded) and on YouTube
(3:30) 15” IP65 Touch Monitor (used at car wash channel in the US)
(5:06) 10” Resistive touch PC
(8:24) 21.5” Capacitive Touch PC (with stylus and glove) and on YouTube

Nintendo Switch Extension Dock by Via Labs Multifunction with Integrated Power Bank

Posted by – July 2, 2017

Via Labs shows their USB Hub and controller which is in the Nintendo Switch docking station and they show how they make similar hubs for other types of devices as well. The Nintendo Switch uses VLI’s Hub controller (VL210 USB 3.0 1x SS, 3x HS Hub controller) lasts 2.5-3 hours undocked when playing games. In order to extend the playing games time for better gaming experience, VLI has developed an intelligently exclusive turnkey as below:

All-In- One Technology Demonstrator
– Standard USB-C Power Bank: VP242 (USB-C Power Bank DRP Controller)
– USB PD Wall Adapter: VP300 (USB PD Wall Adapter)
– Switch Docking Station: VL212 (USB 3.1 Gen 1 PD Hub (1x SS, 3x HS))
– VP230/VP231 (TCPC for UFP/DFP)

Microchip ARM, PIC and AVR Microcontrollers


Microchip acquired Atmel in 2016 for $3.56 Billion, this among other acquisitions by Microchip, grows their Microcontroller portfolio to include Atmel’s ARM based SAM Microcontrollers (which I have previously filmed here: SAM S70 and E70 ARM Cortex-M7, SAM L21 ARM Cortex-M0+, Atmel BTLC1000 Bluetooth ARM Cortex-M0, SMART SAM W25 Wi-Fi for IoT with ARM Cortex-M0+, together with Microchip’s own ARM cores, and their MIPS-based PIC-32 cores, a few older PIC cores, Atmel’s 8 and 32-bit AVR cores among other. Microchip Technology also provides Serial EEPROM devices, Serial SRAM devices, KEELOQ devices, radio frequency (RF) devices, thermal, power and battery management analog devices, as well as linear, interface and mixed signal devices. Some of the interface devices include USB, ZigBee/MiWi, Controller Area Network, LoRa, SIGFOX and Ethernet.

Socionext 24-core ARM Server SynQuacer SC2A11, 60% lower power than Intel at same performance

Posted by – June 27, 2017

Socionext presents SynQuacer SC2A11 cloud ARM server based on 24-core ARM Cortex-A53 highly integrated low-power server system suitable for edge computing which processes data at the edge of the cloud in the IoT era. Socionext develop high power efficiency processor chip, and it is 60% power reduction on same performance compare to conventional chip. Also it is very good performance in parallel processing, like hadoop. This high power efficiency processor chip will be suitable for various application in the IoT era.