Beagleboard is one of the most successful project in terms of community support & activity. It uses OMAP3530 soc, which belongs to OMAP35# series from TI. Many recently launched smart phones (such as Droid, N900, Palm Pre ) use similar kind of soc.

Besides having strong hardware, Beagleboard project also comes with all required data-sheets, schematics, layout & it is supported well by various Linux distribution, making it ideal plateform for embedded researchers & hackers.  Lot of other hardware boards are available which are modified version of beagleboard.

Although, first impression of  Beagle board hardware suggest that it is targeted to Mobile / Multimedia or entertainment device, It is practically very useful for many kind of application.

Quick Pros:

- ARM Cortex – A8 Core

- Standard interfaces such as USB, DVI-D, Serial console for debug, SD card slot

- USB Host & Gadget mode support, making it ideal for usb device driver development / testing and validation

- Supported by various linux distribution, in particular Angstrom includes various debugging tools, making beagleboard as strong reference platform of ARM Cortex-A8 for Application testing & debugging.

- Although (as of now) Open GLES driver is available in binary only format, it is fairly usable.

I would also suggest beagleboard to any one who is beginner in embedded Linux or college student for their academic project as platform.

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