Qualcomm launches the Snapdragon 850 for Windows 10, with representatives of Microsoft and Samsung participating in the keynote too. You can see my extensive video interview about Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 for Windows 10 Laptops here.
Category: Android
Cavium ThunderX2 benchmarks compared with Intel and AMD
Patrick Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief at ServeTheHome.com talks about the independent benchmarks on ThunderX2 that he published at ServeTheHome.com as Cavium announced General Availability of the ThunderX2 ARM Server at their event in San Francisco last month.
The ThunderX2 family includes over 40 different SKUs for both scale up and scale out applications, ranging from top bin 32 core 2.5GHz parts to 16-core 1.6GHz parts, mapping directly across Intel’s Xeon Skylake server CPUs from highest end Platinum to low end SKUs. With list prices for volume SKUs (32 core 2.2GHz and below) ranging from $1795 to $800, the ThunderX2 family offers 2-4X better performance per dollar compared to Xeon Skylake family of processors. The ThunderX2 family is fully compliant with Armv8-A architecture specifications as well as the Arm Server Base System Architecture and Arm Server Base Boot Requirements standards. The ThunderX2 SoC family is supported by a comprehensive software ecosystem, ranging from platform level systems management and firmware to commercial Operating Systems, Development Environments and Applications. Cavium has actively engaged in server industry standards groups such as UEFI and delivered numerous reference platforms to a broad array of community and corporate partners. Cavium has also demonstrated its leadership role in the Open Source software community driving upstream kernel enablement and toolchain optimization, actively contributing to Linaro’s Enterprise and Networking Groups, investing in key Linux Foundation projects such as DPDK, OpenHPC, OPNFV and Xen and sponsoring the FreeBSD Foundation’s Armv8 server implementation.
Libre Computer Development Boards S905X, RK3328, H2+/H3/H5 form-factor compatible with Raspberry Pi
Posted by – June 5, 2018
Category: Set-top-boxes, Robots, Development Boards, Exclusive videos, Allwinner, Rockchip, AmLogic, Android, Ubuntu
Libre Computer introduces three products of their CC-series which are form-factor compatible with the Raspberry Pi boards and based on open-market hardware. Depending on the model, these single-board computers (SBCs) offer higher performance, more RAM, and/or more IO while sharing the existing aftermarket parts ecosystem. All three products were featured on crowdfunding and supported by free and open source software (FOSS) like Linux and u-boot.
AML-S905X-CC, nicknamed Le Potato, is based on the popular Amlogic S905X SoC. It offers up to 2GB of RAM, four 64-bit cores, 4K60 video playback with HDR, and built-in infrared receiver. This board is the most power-efficient platform of the three and uses less than one watt at idle. There is a large suite of available software for the S905X SoC and it is the only one that has previously passed certification for Google’s Android TV platform. Currently, video decode is missing from upstream Linux and is only available from Amlogic’s BSP with Linux 4.9. Android up to 8 Oreo is available with design contract.
ROC-RK3328-CC, nicknamed Renegade, is based on the Rockchip RK3328 SoC. It offers up to 4GB of high-speed DDR4, four 64-bit cores, 4K60 video playback with HDR, USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet. Perfect for IO intensive application like home media center, NAS, microservice virtualization, and more. HDMI support in upstream Linux is scheduled to be completed in Q4 2018. Ubuntu and Debian with accelerated video and 3D is available based on Rockchip’s BSP with Linux 4.4. Android up to 8 Oreo is schedule to be available in Q3 2018 with design contract.
ALL-H3-CC, nicknamed Tritium, is based on three separate Allwinner SoCs: H2+, H3, and H5. The H2+ variant offers 512MB of RAM, four 32-bit cores, and 1080P video playback. The H3 variant is the H2+ variant with 1GB of RAM and 4K30 video playback. The H5 variant offers 2GB of RAM, four 64-bit cores, and 4K30 video playback. There is a large software community behind Allwinner SoCs called linux-sunxi and they have been upstreaming Linux hardware support for almost a decade. This platform also has a crowdfunded effort for video decode Linux upstream underway by Bootlin. Android up to 7 Nougat is available.
Full Comparison of Board Features
Libre Computer platforms are radio-less, FCC and CE certified, long-term-supported (LTS 5Y+) single-board computers. Libre Computer offers hardware customization on all supported SoC platforms. Standard boards with components added/removed can be ordered with 1K MOQ. Small effort customization/mezzanine design contract can be requested with 5K MOQ. Full custom design contracts are available for orders with 20K MOQ. Industrial design, software, project management resources are available as part of design contract.
Honor 10, Notch, Kirin970 without PC Mode, glimmering back
Posted by – May 20, 2018
Huawei’s Honor group launches the new Honor 10 Smartphone at $399, it comes with a Notch (which I don’t understand why, except for copying Apple’s mistake), it runs on the ultra fast Hisilicon Kirin 970 processor but they did not include the PC Mode in this one, that PC Mode is only available in Huawei Mate 10 and P20. The very glimmering back side of the phone is a fingerprint magnet, not sure if the effect looks as good if a transparent back case is used. They use an ultrasonic based front side finderprint reader, though I prefer when fingerprint readers are on the back.
Onyx Boox with PadMu Music e-reader, new e-readers Boox Ligo, Nova, Poke, Note S and more to come
Posted by – April 21, 2018
Sandro Casiraghi presents https://www.padformusician.com/en/ based on the awesome Onyx Boox Max2 for a single or dual 97% of full A4 “like A4 paper” digital music notes reading experience, with a synchronized Bluetooth page turning pedal and Smartphone app. There are more than 1 million professional musicians in the world who potentially could benefit from this technology. This is made possible due to Onyx’s Android solution on their Boox E Ink e-reader platform, as this is enabled through Android. The two readers connect via Wi-Fi direct and the master reader connects with the pedal and Smartphone using Bluetooth. Thus far they have been reaching out to professional and amateur musicians to get their feedback. Onyx is bringing their whole E Ink e-reader range up to their new Quad-core 1.6Ghz ARM platform with smoother and faster page turns, faster and better Android support. Onyx shows some of their new 6″ e-reader designs including Boox Ligo, Boox Nova, Boox Poke that will come before the end of the year. While the 10.3″ Boox Note is awesome, it is probably not a large enough screen for the music reading market. The Boox 9.7″ Note S is newer and thinner and lighter too on their new faster platform too.
Interested distributors of the PadMu and potential e-Music reading customers can contact and read more about PadMu here:
sandro@outeringdigital.com
https://www.facebook.com/padformusician/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9X6m6ctJ6PPGYMlngEbNvA
$300 Sunchip All-in-one AR on RK3288 (like Hololens), $7 Wi-Fi power plug
Posted by – April 20, 2018
Category: Set-top-boxes, HDMI Sticks, VR, Internet of Things, 4K UHD, Exclusive videos, Rockchip, AmLogic, Intel, HKTDC Electronics Fair, Sunchip, Android, Windows
Sunchip shows some of their latest products including their all-in-one AR system based on Rockchip RK3288, RK3399 board for digital signage. $58 Amlogic S912 TV box, $26 RK3126 HDMI Stick, $200 Apollo Lake Box. 360 panoramic camera. $7 single Smart Wi-Fi Plug, $11 for dual Wi-Fi plug.
Actions S900 in Cubiedboard9 dev board, ATB1103/ATB1109 ARM Cortex-M0
Posted by – April 20, 2018
Actions S900 is a Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, the Actions S500 is a Quad-core Cortex-A9. Actions also shows some other products for video smart speaker, smart door bell, smart kids robots, Actions also provides their MIPS based chipset for Bluetooth speakers, here also they are launching their new ATB1103/ATB1109 ARM Cortex-M0 system for their upcoming Bluetooth and perhaps also low cost smart speakers platform.
Allwinner VR9 (hopefully Daydream All-in-one ready) launched, VR-optimized quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
Posted by – April 19, 2018
The new Allwinner VR9 is quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with an independent 32KB L1 I-cache + 32KB L1 D-cache, shared 512KB L2 cache, with MaliT760 GPU and support for OpenGLES 3.2 and OpenCL 1.1. Allwinner VR9 is the first SoC optimized for VR, with as low as dedicated 20ms low latency acceleration module portal, dual-engine direct drive dual-screen system, panoramic 6K visual effects with support for expansive camera positioning, up to 6K30 H265 and 4K60 HEVC/VP9 video decode. Allwinner’s hope is that this SoC can be compatible with the Google Daydream platform for All-in-one VR device usage.
EmdoorVR Allwinner VR9 design house
Posted by – April 19, 2018
Emdoor is one of the largest design houses in Shenzhen, here they talk about their support for the new Allwinner VR9 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with an independent single core 32KB L1 I-cache + 32KB L1 D-cache, shared 512KB L2 cache, with MaliT760 GPU and support for OpenGLES 3.2 and OpenCL 1.1. Allwinner VR9 is the first SoC optimized for VR, with as low as dedicated 20ms low latency acceleration module portal, dual-engine direct drive dual-screen system, panoramic 6K visual effects with support for expansive camera positioning, up to 6K30 H265 and 4K60 HEVC/VP9 video decode.
Allwinner A63, A50, A33G
Posted by – April 16, 2018
Allwinner releases their new ARM SoCs for 64bit and 32bit cost effective tablets, featuring their new Allwinner A63 Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 with Mali-T760MP2 GPU. This video was filmed at the Allwinner press conference event in Shenzhen where they had a lot of their industry partners, design houses, factories, OEMs, software partners, to see and to hear about the latest of what Allwinner has been working to do for them. The new Allwinner A50 is Allwinner’s mid-range Quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 with Mali-400 GPU with support for DDR4 and LPDDR4 RAM, better TLC based Flash memory. For the very entry level Tablet market, Allwinner presents their new Allwinner A33G which is limited at a lower 1.35Ghz clock-speed with a lower resolution display support. While these 3 new ARM Processors by Allwinner are presented as their newest Tablet processors, they are also compatible with all sorts of other devices which could be Robots, interactive Smart Speakers with displays, Smart Rearview Mirrors, Smart Mirrors, Laptops, Desktops, and more. Allwinner also talks about their participation in the Open AI Labs which I also filmed here.
Bero shows AOSP TV 8.1, Gemini PDA, Android with newer kernels at Linaro LMG/LHG hacking room
Posted by – March 24, 2018
Category: Development Boards, Exclusive videos, HiSilicon, Qualcomm, Marvell, NXP, Linaro Connect, Android
Bero (Bernhard Rosenkränzer) and his colleagues from the Linaro Mobile Group (Android) and the Linaro Home Group (TV Boxes) are working in the hacking room at Linaro Connect to prepare some demos for Demo Friday including AOSP TV on 8.1 (while most Android TV runs on 7.1), updating the Linux kernel on Android phones to some newer kernel version, and Bero also gives his opinions on the multi-Linux booting Gemini PDA amazing keyboard phone which he has purchased (see my video on Gemini PDA Linux support here)
$99 Rock960 Enterprise Edition “Ficus”, Rock960 Pro with RK3399Pro with NPU for AI
Posted by – March 22, 2018
Tom Cubie of Vamrs introduces two new Rockchip RK3399Pro based development boards with http://96boards.ai at Linaro Connect Hong Kong 2018, a new ecosystem of development boards for Artificial intelligence development, where the new Rockchip RK3399Pro includes an NPU (2.4 TOPS capable NPU) teamed up with Open AI Lab (who I interviewed here) to support the AI framework.
Rockchip has now officially joined 96Boards as Steering Committee member, which means ROCK960 and other futures 96rocks boards based on Rockchip processors now have official identity in the 96boards/linaro community.
ROCK960 Enterprise Edition board runs Rockchip RK3399Pro hexa core dual ARM Cortex-A72, quad ARM Cortex-A53, Mali-T860MP4 GPU with 2.4 TOPS capable NPU, up to 4GB RAM, Dual SATA 3.0 port with RAID 0/1 support, HDMI 2.0/eDP up to 4K @ 60 Hz, Dual MIPI CSI camera interfaces, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac WiFi, 3x USB 3.0, 5x USB 2.0, PCIe 2.1 x16 slot and more.
Rock960 consumer edition which I previously also filmed here is about to be manufactured now to be available next month.
HiKey970 development board for AI
Posted by – March 19, 2018
HiSilicon and Hoperun introduces their new HiKey 970 development board, 10nm HiSilicon Kirin 970 based (same chipset that is in the recent Huawei Mate 10) quad ARM Cortex-A73 at 2.36GHz with quad ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.8GHz with Mali-G72MP12 and their new Dedicated Neural-network Processing Unit (NPU) with 256MAC/cycle @ 960MHz performance. To be available next month for $299 on Amazon and at http://hihope.org this is their Super Edge AI Computing Platform with Huawei HiAI SDK that can provide up to 25X Performance and 50X better Power Efficiency compared with doing the AI tasks by CPU or GPU. This enables the Heterogeneous multi processing Resource Management for use in applications such as Deep Learning, Robots, Automobile, Smart City. The NPU provides frequently used artificial intelligence function APIs, model management APIs and basic operator computing APIs, so developers can focus on developing new AI applications instead of focusing on performance tuning. The HiKey970’s dedicated AI processor has a rich set of imaging and I/Os that enables developers to build highly integrated flexible products for AI-based intelligent cameras in smart cities.
Features include:
UEFI + ARM Trusted Firmware
Kernel 4.9
CAN driver
CSI/CSI-2 driver
WiFi enable
Video Codec enable
PCIe enable for storage and LTE connect
4 lanes CSI + 2 lanes CSI
CAN V2.0B up to 1Mbps
Video Dec up to H.265 3840×2160@60fps
6GB 1866MHz, 4 Channel LPDDR4x
GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou
OS Choices
Ubuntu
Debian
Android Master
Stacks
Huawei HiAI
Android NN
OpenGL ES
OpenCL
Gemini PDA runs 5 Linux distros, Debian, Ubuntu, Sailfish, Android, unlocked bootloader, open source
Posted by – March 16, 2018
Planet Computers CTO Davide Guidi, filmed at the Gemini PDA headquarters in London, they shipped to first 1000 backers of 4200 from their successful Indiegogo. Here presenting 5 Linux distros, unlocked bootloader, open source on their website (with more source code to come shortly to that page) hardware acceleration of any Linux distro is under development using Libhybris and planning to try to integrate Halium to optimize the performance in all Linux distributions, to use the Android GPU, sound, video, modem and other binaries to each their fullest hopefully within each Linux distro. Gemini PDA hopes that by unlocking their bootloader, by providing the bootloader open source, providing their Linux distro images open source, letting users do whatever they want and multi-booth any OS that they would like, hopefully there will be a vibrant community to bring great all Linux performance on this MediaTek X27 deca-core Powered large and awesome mechanical keyboard phone. After having soon shipped to their remaining Indiegogo backers, Planet Computers hopes to be able to expand much further selling their phone through distributors and telcos around the world.
E Ink booth tour at CES 2018
E Ink shows and talks about its latest innovations in consumer electronics, architecture, healthcare, retail and fashion at CES 2018, to bring dynamic elements to generally static environments such as architecture and design, as well as discuss how its ePaper technology is being integrated into smart cities and connected devices, famous for eReaders, also revolutionizing the digital signage, healthcare and retail industries as well. Bus signs, electronic shelf labels, medical devices, products featured include the E Ink DAZZLE wall, the world’s largest media façade on the San Diego International Airport parking garage, featuring 2,100 tiles of E Ink’s Prism technology. A dress designed by Bergmeyer featuring E Ink Prism which won Best in Show at IIDA Fashion Show in October, 2017. A reconfigurable Retail Price Tag, a thin, batteryless price tag containing Powercast’s power harvesting technology that enables quick price changes using a typical handheld UHF RFID reader for wirelessly updating the display, the LTS Smart Patch transdermal therapeutic system that delivers medication to patients in a convenient and controlled manner, ReMarkable E Ink tablet offering paper-like reading, pen input writing and sketching, Onyx Boox Note, Onyx Boox Max2 (which I filmed here), Sony Digital Paper and more.
Nubia Z17S flagship, Z17 miniS, N Series, V Series
Posted by – March 11, 2018
Nubia’s flagship phone is their Z17S with a 5.73″ FHD+ screen 2040*1080 Pixel display (403ppi), 4G LTE Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 6GB RAM, 64GB Flash, Four Cameras, Android 7.1, NFC, Type-C 26W fast Charge. Nubia also does smart locks, IoT, smart lamps and more. The N Series and V Series are going to be price attractively yet provide a 18:9 display. As concepts for future phones they are showing one with a built-in fan for gamers to cool their phone when cranking up the peak performance output and designs for gamers that includes kevlar. Noise canceling headphones, power banks, 360 degree Type-C camera and more.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Posted by – March 11, 2018
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 is Qualcomm’s fastest consumer ARM Processor yet (30-40% faster than last year’s Snapdragon 835 using 30% less power), on 10nm FinFET LPP Samsung process, it features 64bit Octa-core quad 2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold which are ARM Cortex-A75 custom cores and quad 1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver which are ARM Cortex-A55 custom cores, Qualcomm’s fastest ever GPU the Adreno 630 with its Visual Processing Subsystem (including GPU, VPU and DPU) with OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan2, DxNext eXtended Reality (XR), Room-Scale 6DoF with simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), Adreno Foveation, Advanced visual inertial odometry (VIO), HDR10 and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), 4K Ultra HD @ 60 FPS, 2x 2400×2400 @ 120 FPS (VR), 10-bit color depth (encoding and decoding). Qualcomm’s AI Platform is on their 3rd Generation Qualcomm Hexagon 685 DSP which supports sophisticated, on-device AI processing, delivering richer camera, voice, XR and gaming experiences as a Neural Processing Engine (NPE) with Caffe, Caffe2 and TensorFlow support. With DisplayPort and USB Type-C support. Qualcomm’s X20 Modem supports 1.2Gbit/s download speed using 5×20 MHz carrier aggregation, up to 256-QAM, up to 4×4 MIMO on three carriers, up to 150mbit/s upload speed using 2×20 MHz carrier aggregation, up to 64-QAM. Multi-gigabit Wi-Fi 802.11ad and integrated 2×2 802.11ac. Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit (SPU) where Biometrics can be used for authentication can be stored in isolation in hardware.
Sony XZ2 with 4K HDR recording
Posted by – March 2, 2018
Sony launches their XZ2 and XZ2 Compact Smartphone (https://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/phones/xperia-xz2/) based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 with 4K HDR video recording support. Featuring a 5.7″ Full HD+ (2160×1080) HDR display (5″ on XZ2 Compact), Dynamic Vibration System with powerful stereo speakers, Full HD 960fps slow motion, 19MP Motion Eye camera with memory-stacked image sensor. 4GB RAM, 64GB UFS internal memory.
