Qi Hardware has introduced Ben NanoNote, pocket computer based on JZ4720 chipset. JZ4720 is 433 MHz MIPS processor from Ingenic Semiconductor.
Ben Nanonote comes with 59 key keypad, 3 inch screen, mini SDHC slot, 32 SDRAM & USB mini B host. All this suggests the miniature nature of device.
Pros:
- Ben Nanonote has full linux support & OpenWrt distribution. QT & GTK2 are avaiable to generate better user interface based applications.
- At 99 USD, Nanonote certainly worth it is money.
txtr reader is product of Txtr, Berlin based company engaged in building tools & services for digital reader.
Interesting part is, txtr provides hardware details of txtr reader device. It is based on Freescale i.Mx31 SoC which contains ARM11 processor core.
Txtr aims to integrate digital reading tools & services, while service can be used on various platform, having own open platform attracts community to also launch services on txtr platform. It can also encorages existing device vendor to integrate txtr service on there platform.
Reader hardware consist of Bluetooth, Wifi, Near field communication & EDGE modem to communicate with device. Interface such as, 3D Acceleratormeter, Touch screen based Eleectronic ink display, vibrator motor makes it more attractive platform for developing entertainment applications.
Note: Device is not available as of date.
Neuros Technology offers Open Internet Television Platform with simple aim to bring internet to TV. Neuros OSD1 was first in this series of product, which was upgraded to OSD2 with better functionality.
Neuros OSD2 is based on Texas Instruments Davinci Series of SoC TMS320DM6446 having ARM 9 processor core. It has capability to be used as capture AV content as well as playback content from USB storage device or network. OSD2 developer guide contains good list of available resources.
Pro:
- One can efficiently use Neuros OSD2 for Personal Video Recorder or Network Media Player.
Neo 1973 was first first major open hardware platform by Openmoko. Neo Freerunner was follow up of Neo 1973. Building open hardware mobile is challenge in itself. Primary because GSM chipset vendor do not provide small quantity of baseband chipset & would also not like to provide support for same.
Neo FreeRunner uses ARM9 processor based SC32442 from Samsung. FreeRunner is complete smartphone with LCD, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, Accelerometer besides GSM Baseband support for call & GPRS.
Neo FreeRunner is support by multiple Linux distribution & holds capabilities to support multi boot, This is clearly big feature on smartphone. Neo FreeRunner provides good platform for developing any hardware or software for Smartphone. Schematics, hardware reference manual etc are available to community for use.
Odroid is developer focused entertainment / gaming device. It comes with schematics & includes itś support in Linux & Android.
Odroid contains Samsung S5PC100 SoC, which contains ARM Cortex-A8 833MHz processor. This gives healthy competition to Beagleboard, which contains ARM Cortex-A8 of 600 MHz.
Quick Pros:
- ARM Cortex-A8 833MHz processor. 512 MB RAM, Touch screen & HDMI output, WiFi, Bluetooth gives big advantage over Beagleboard in terms of hardware capability.
- Odroid is more useful as complete device rather than as reference platform. Thus, It is easy to developer software over it & use it.
Quick Cons:
- Odroid is released much latter than Beagleboard, thus odroid community is less active compare to Beagleboard.
- Odroid has little option to interface external piece of hardware such as any sensor.
- Priced at 349 USD, Quite premier & out of reach for many.
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