IoT and embedded systems products 2018

This post is here to comments links and news on intetesting IoT products I see. I plan to post mainly information on new products, but sometimes I can post also information on older but what I see still relevat IoT products. I might also post here some embedded systems products that are not directly related to IoT as well.

474 Comments

  1. Tomi Engdahl says:

    An Analog Twist to TI’s FRAM-Based MSP430 Line
    http://www.electronicdesign.com/industrial-automation/analog-twist-ti-s-fram-based-msp430-line?NL=ED-003&Issue=ED-003_20180614_ED-003_604&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_2_b&utm_rid=CPG05000002750211&utm_campaign=17800&utm_medium=email&elq2=b95a23eb058f46c18ef0d5ee9bfa5c21

    Texas Instruments (TI) continues to extend its MSP430 FRAM-based microcontrollers (Fig. 1). Non-volatile FRAM is ideal for low-power applications because systems can power on and off quickly without the need to move data to and from flash. Logging systems can shut down as soon as data has been moved into main memory. FRAM is faster than flash without the write speed or write cycle limitations of flash. It also uses less power when writing.

    TI’s FRAM family includes low-cost implementations that cost as little as a quarter to ones designed for ultrasonic or capacitive-touch applications.

    The latest MSP430 FRAM-based microcontrollers from Texas Instruments integrate multiple configurable analog systems.

    Reply
  2. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Arm Acquires Stream Technologies to Help Simplify Device Management
    http://www.electronicdesign.com/industrial-automation/arm-acquires-stream-technologies-help-simplify-device-management?NL=ED-003&Issue=ED-003_20180614_ED-003_604&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_2_b&utm_rid=CPG05000002750211&utm_campaign=17800&utm_medium=email&elq2=b95a23eb058f46c18ef0d5ee9bfa5c21

    Stream’s core technology is a connectivity management platform that works to automatically onboard connected devices, such as sensors installed on factory equipment or cameras embedded in traffic lights. Stream’s service enables embedded devices to automatically authenticate, provision and connect themselves to wireless networks, helping to further reduce development costs and complexity.

    The company said Stream would be integrated into the Mbed IoT Device Management Platform, which allows companies to manage, provision and update firmware inside devices remotely.

    Reply
  3. Tomi Engdahl says:

    SimpleLink
    ™ CC3120,
    CC3220
    Wi-Fi
    ®
    Internet-on-a-chip

    Solution
    Built-In
    Security
    Features
    http://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra509a/swra509a.pdf

    Reply
  4. Tomi Engdahl says:

    A New Espruino Board, the Pixl.js
    https://blog.hackster.io/a-new-espurino-board-the-pixl-js-f4b2c3091c45

    The first microcontroller boards running JavaScript came along more than five years ago now, and among them was the original Espruino board

    The Pixl.js is a smart Bluetooth LE connected display based around the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52832, a 64MHz Arm Cortex-M4 with 64kB of RAM and of 512kB Flash.

    The board is 60mm × 53mm × 15mm, measuring 54mm diagonally, and has a 12864-pixel monochrome display with a white backlight. Flipping the board over it has a “classic” Arduino GPIO header footprint. It can be powered from a CR2032 coin battery, which provides a 20-day life

    http://www.espruino.com/Pixl.js

    Reply
  5. Tomi Engdahl says:

    An ESP32-Based Arduino Lookalike
    https://blog.hackster.io/an-esp32-based-arduino-lookalike-b5523c6f54b0

    Better known for their single-board computers, the folks at Banana Pi seem to be pretty keen on the ESP32 chip right at the moment, with a BBC Micro:bit clone called the BPI:bit, and now an Arduino Uno lookalike they’re calling the BPI:Uno32.

    https://world.taobao.com/item-amp/538527510371.htm#detail

    Reply
  6. Tomi Engdahl says:

    NoCAN Lets IoT Makers Stay Connected without Relying on Weak Wireless Signals
    https://blog.hackster.io/nocan-lets-iot-makers-stay-connected-without-relying-on-weak-wireless-signals-237f0115242f

    NO// RASPBERRY PI// HARDWARE // IOT // CROWDFUNDING// ENGINEERING // ARCHIVE HACKSTER.IO
    Go to the profile of Cabe Atwell
    Cabe Atwell
    Jun 23
    NoCAN Lets IoT Makers Stay Connected without Relying on Weak Wireless Signals
    Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are available just about anywhere making sure you stay connected no matter where you go. But sometimes getting connected is easier said than done. Sometimes the signal strength is so weak you can’t stay connected. Other times your battery dies making sure you can’t connect in the first place. This is a big problem for IoT makers who rely on strong connections to work on their projects. Computer and electronics enthusiast Alain Pannetrat noticed the issue and created a new NoCAN wire IoT platform, which is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter.

    NoCAN is a wired alternative to wireless and Bluetooth IoT systems. Based on the robust bus communication protocol CAN bus, this new system lets you connect to a set of Arduino-compatible nodes to a Raspberry Pi via a single cable that brings together power and networking. It’s the Raspberry Pi controls that control the network and act as a link to the outside world.

    The CANZERO nodes that are included communicate with one another and the outside world using a “publish/subscribe” method.

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1242572682/nocan-the-wired-iot-platform-for-makers/description

    Reply
  7. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Labstep wants to fix the way science experiments are recorded and reproduced
    https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/22/labstep/?sr_share=facebook&utm_source=tcfbpage

    Labstep, an app and online platform to help scientists record and reproduce experiments, has raised £1 million in new funding, including from existing investors.

    This will include the launch of a marketplace for lab supplies, and is one of the ways Labstep plans to generate revenue. The startup will also add features to its app that streamline how scientists outsource elements of their research.

    science experiments are often recorded in an archaic way, relying on a mixture of pen and paper or entering resulting data into legacy software. Not only is this cumbersome but it also means that experiments are prone to mistakes and can be especially hard to replicate and therefore validate

    AdChoices

    Labstep wants to fix the way science experiments are recorded and reproduced
    Steve O’Hear
    @sohear / Yesterday

    Labstep Lab Bench (1)
    Labstep, an app and online platform to help scientists record and reproduce experiments, has raised £1 million in new funding, including from existing investors. The company, whose team has a background in commercial R&D and academic research, including at Oxford University, is backed by Seedcamp and says it plans to use the new capital to double its team to 12, and for further product development.

    This will include the launch of a marketplace for lab supplies, and is one of the ways Labstep plans to generate revenue. The startup will also add features to its app that streamline how scientists outsource elements of their research.

    First conceived of in late 2013 and soft launched in 2015, Labstep has set out to digitise the lab experiment tracking and sharing process, and in turn give scientific research a major leg up.

    As explained by CEO and co-founder Jake Schofield, science experiments are often recorded in an archaic way, relying on a mixture of pen and paper or entering resulting data into legacy software. Not only is this cumbersome but it also means that experiments are prone to mistakes and can be especially hard to replicate and therefore validate, either by a team working together internally or when sharing and cross-checking with the wider scientific and research community.

    Enter: Labstep. The platform and app enable scientists to build libraries of experimental procedures — a bit like recipes — and then easily record progress when following a procedure in the lab, including building a timeline of the experiment. Procedures can also be shared with teams or more broadly, as well as deviated from in a transparent way. In fact, Schofield says one way to think about Labstep is as a ‘Github for lab experiments’. Procedures can be made public or private and can be optionally forked.

    https://www.labstep.com/#/

    Reply
  8. Tomi Engdahl says:

    New US Tariffs are Anti-Maker and Will Encourage Offshoring
    https://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=5349as

    Reply
  9. Tomi Engdahl says:

    NanoLock Launches Platform to Protect IoT Devices From Production Through End-of-Life
    https://www.securityweek.com/nanolock-launches-platform-protect-iot-devices-production-through-end-life

    Cybersecurity start-up NanoLock Security today announced a new lightweight security platform designed to add security into the small connected devices better known as the internet of things, rather than to overlay security around those devices.

    This is security designed to safeguard small devices from the production line through to the end of life and beyond; to allow secure updates but to prevent hacking and tampering; and to ensure the integrity of data from the device outwards.

    “The challenge for connected devices,” co-founder and CEO Eran Fine told SecurityWeek, “is that about 90% have very low computing power — and they are becoming the most vulnerable part of the ecosystem. How do you protect those low power, and low compute power devices where an attacker may have network or physical access? The attacker may come from the device-side, or the cloud-side, on the production line, or even at the end of life of the device. How do you protect the very low computing power device within a cost and performance structure that satisfies the connected device marketplace?”

    He needed a solution or architecture that is CPU agnostic.

    “So we work on the assumption that CPUs are untrustworthy. Instead of developing security that uses the device’s own CPU, we’ve created something that sits between the bus of the device and the non-volatile memory. This acts as a governing entity, and very aggressively allows or disallows other entities to read from or write to the non-volatile memory that holds the firmware, the boot image, and the critical applications.”

    This approach works by preventing overwriting, modification, manipulation, erasure and ransomware attacks on firmware, boot images, system parameters and critical applications in connected and IoT devices. Without any possible access to the firmware, hackers cannot gain access to the firmware and cannot, for example, recruit the device into the next big Mirai-style IoT botnet.

    Three technologies lie at the heart of the architecture. OREN device-side embedded protection safeguards against attacks from the network and cloud, and even an attacker that has physical access to the device. FOTALock technology ensures the safe and trusted delivery of firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates, applications and critical parameters. Management of Things (MoT) controls and manages devices and includes features for monitoring device security, version management, attacks and alerts. MoT is deployed as a stand-alone solution or integrated into a customer’s own security management platform.

    Since NanoLock sits on the only data route into the device, and is placed there during manufacture or assembly, connected devices cannot be hacked.

    “The protected memory will always continue to protect because it has autonomous decision-making power — it has its own tiny CPU, its own non-volatile memory, its own cryptographic engine. Even if you are hacking the CPU or hacking the cloud, this device will continue to protect itself and the cloud-to-device integrity.”

    https://www.nanolocksecurity.com/

    Reply
  10. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Valor IoT Manufacturing Analytics
    Capture, store, and analyze PCB manufacturing data
    https://www.mentor.com/pcb-manufacturing-assembly/iot-valor-manufacturing/analytics?contactid=1&PC=L&c=2018_06_21_bsd_val_mss_kpi_reporting_vid_

    Valor® IoT Manufacturing Analytics is an enterprise big data business intelligence analytics platform designed for capturing, storing, and analyzing large amounts of manufacturing data. The new analytics platform provides greater visibility into manufacturing equipment, processes, products and supply chain performance. It can easily identify and monitor production, supplier issues, prevent costly recalls, spot emerging trends, and solve quality problems quickly.

    Reply
  11. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Kyle Wiggers / VentureBeat:
    Microsoft launches Azure IoT Edge out of preview, to help users securely deploy Azure services, AI, and custom logic to IoT devices — Microsoft today announced a major update to Azure IoT Edge, its cloud solution for internet of things devices. It’s exiting preview and gaining support …

    Microsoft launches Azure IoT Edge out of preview
    https://venturebeat.com/2018/06/27/microsoft-launches-azure-iot-edge-out-of-preview/

    Microsoft today announced a major update to Azure IoT Edge, its cloud solution for internet of things devices. It’s exiting preview and gaining support for new hardware devices, management services, and developer tools.

    “Since we introduced Azure IoT Edge just over a year ago, we have seen many examples of the real-world impact from the factory floor to the farm to run cloud intelligence directly on IoT devices,” Azure IoT director Sam George wrote in a blog post. “Now devices can act immediately on real-time data — whether it be recognizing a crack in a pipe from an aerial view or predicting equipment failure before it happens.”

    Reply
  12. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Intel is abandoning RTOS operating systems

    Intel has confirmed that it will sell its embedded operating systems and RTOS operating systems to Wind River’s TPG Capital investment company. The deal strengthens Intel’s efforts to focus on the market for PC and server processors. Wind River’s CEO continues Jim Douglas (pictured).

    In 2009, Intel announced many surprises by purchasing Wind River Systems, a well-known software for embedded systems, $ 884 million. Wind River was originally known for its VxWorks real-time operating system

    Nine years ago, Intel stressed its focus on embedded software. Since then, the world has changed. The center of the company is now, above all, a data center.

    Source: http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/8157-myllerryksessa-oleva-intel-luopuu-rtos-kayttojarjestelmista

    Reply
  13. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LTE Cellular Shield for Arduino with Voice! © CC BY-NC-SA
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/botletics/lte-cellular-shield-for-arduino-with-voice-3da59b?ref=user&ref_id=119436&offset=0

    This powerful cellular shield can easily turn your project into a full-fledged phone with voice, SMS, LTE data, GPS, and more!

    Reply
  14. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Create Secured IoT Endpoints with the First 32-bit MCU to Feature Robust, Chip-level Security and Arm TrustZone Technology
    https://www.eeweb.com/profile/microchip/news/create-secured-iot-endpoints-with-the-first-32-bit-mcu-to-feature-robust-chip-level-security-and-arm-trustzone-technology

    With the booming growth of Internet of Things (IoT) endpoints, security is sometimes an afterthought for many designers, increasing the risk of exposing intellectual property (IP) and sensitive information. To address the growing need for security, the new SAM L10 and SAM L11 MCU families are now available from Microchip Technology Inc.

    The new MCU families are based on the Arm® Cortex®-M23 core, with the SAM L11 featuring Arm TrustZone® for Armv8-M, a programmable environment that provides hardware isolation between certified libraries, IP and application code. Microchip enables robust security by including chip-level tamper resistance, secure boot and secure key storage that, when combined with TrustZone technology, is designed to protect customer applications from both remote and physical attacks.

    Reply
  15. Tomi Engdahl says:

    IAR Systems enables tools support on groundbreaking MCUs from Microchip
    https://www.eeweb.com/profile/eeweb/news/iar-systems-enables-tools-support-on-groundbreaking-mcus-from-microchip

    IAR Systems® announces tools support for the new SAM L10 and SAM L11 microcontroller families available from Microchip Technology Inc. Using the leading development toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench® for Arm companies can maximize the performance of the microcontrollers and streamline their development workflow.

    Reply
  16. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Connect the Raspberry Pi Zero to an Arduino with This Compatible Shield
    https://blog.hackster.io/connect-the-raspberry-pi-zero-to-an-arduino-with-this-compatible-shield-ffe4f78aa672

    Burgessworld Custom Electronics have released their Raspberry Pi Zero (W) Shield that enables you to connect a Zero or Zero W to a 3.3V or 5V compatible Arduino. Communication between the two is performed using UART, SPI, I2C or logic-level pin signaling and the platform performs bi-directional level shifting along with current limiting resistors to protect the Raspberry Pi’s inputs.

    https://www.tindie.com/products/cburgess129/raspberry-pi-zero-w-shield-for-arduino/#specs

    Reply
  17. Tomi Engdahl says:

    An Ethernet Relay Board for the IoT
    https://blog.hackster.io/an-ethernet-relay-board-for-the-iot-7bb3aca9bd92

    I see a lot of connected projects, and it’s always somewhat surprised me how infrequently people build projects that connect or control 110V or 240V mains powered things.

    I see a lot of connected projects, and it’s always somewhat surprised me how infrequently people build projects that connect or control 110V or 240V mains powered things. After all, we spend a good portion of our lives surrounded by mains powered “things.” Surely makers have a burning desire to turn them on, and off, again? However there seems to be a built-in, “that’s too scary,” that kicks in, which means people won’t attempt to connect things to the mains in their projects.

    So if you want to get started with controlling mains hardware, and you’re a bit hesitant, I really recommend the PowerSwitchTail. It’s a solid bit of hardware that isolates all the messy mains stuff away from your project and keeps things safe. But sometimes you need something a bit more, and this is where Open Electronics’ Ethernet Relay Board might come in rather useful.

    Reply
  18. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Rapidly Prototype with the OSD3358
    https://octavosystems.com/2018/06/20/rapidly-prototype-with-the-osd3358/

    Developers can now rapidly prototype with the OSD3358 System-in-Package (SiP) using BeagleBoard.org® PocketBeagle® and MikroElektronika click boards™. This blog will describe the procedure for interfacing a new click board™ with PocketBeagle® using the OLED-C click board™ as an example

    Reply
  19. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The Nerdonic Exen Mini Board
    https://blog.hackster.io/the-nerdonic-exen-mini-board-61c6f7aa72d2

    One thing you see a lot when you write about maker electronics are microcontroller boards being announced as the “smallest,” or “fastest.” Regretfully you rarely see anyone announcing the “cheapest,” although there have been rare exceptions to that rule.

    So given that everyone else claims it as well, I’m somewhat dubious when told that the Nerdonic Exen Mini is the “…smallest 32-bit dev board.”

    https://www.tindie.com/products/Nerdonic/nerdonic-exen-mini-smallest-32bit-dev-board/

    Reply
  20. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://synchronicity-iot.eu/open-call/

    The SynchroniCity open call launches on June 1st 17:00 CEST and closes on September 30th 17:00 CEST.

    AIM OF THE OPEN CALL
    The purpose of this is to create a global market for human-centered IoT-enabled urban services which are interoperable, replicable and reusable across cities and across domains.

    The SynchroniCity open call will cover three specific themes: sustainable mobility, citizen engagement andenvironment & wellbeing as well as a an open theme.

    At least one of the pilot cities should be a Core Pilot City (Antwerp, Carouge, Eindhoven, Helsinki, Manchester, Milano, Porto and Santander).

    DURATION OF THE PILOT
    Maximum 6 months (between February and September 2019).

    Reply
  21. Tomi Engdahl says:

    An nRF52840-Based Bluetooth 5 Dongle
    https://blog.hackster.io/an-nrf52840-based-bluetooth-5-dongle-94fff8e71da6

    The days when you had to plug a USB dongle into your PC, Mac, or single-board computer to add Bluetooth functionality seemed to be long gone, with even the Raspberry Pi Zero now coming with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

    But the latest version of the Bluetooth wireless communication standard, called Bluetooth 5, isn’t that widely supported yet despite being announced more than 2 years ago.

    Reply
  22. Tomi Engdahl says:

    6 open source home automation tools
    https://opensource.com/tools/home-automation?sc_cid=7016000000127ECAAY

    Build a smarter home with these open source software solutions.

    Reply
  23. Tomi Engdahl says:

    COM Express Type 6 Module With ECC Memory
    https://www.eeweb.com/profile/eeweb/news/com-express-type-6-module-with-ecc-memory

    AAEON launches the COM-APLC6, a powerful COM Express Type 6 module. Responding to customer requirements and market trends, the innovative tech giant has fitted its latest module with a series of features designed to strengthen applications and speed up development processes.

    Powered by an Intel Atom E3900 Series processor, the COM-APLC6 can reliably handle huge amounts of data and is therefore well suited for modern IoT applications. The module features two SODIMM sockets that support DDR3L-ECC memory. Most competing products have non-ECC memory, which is less stable and more prone to data loss, especially in harsh environments. By providing a more dependable solution, AAEON is ensuring that your systems run smoothly even when they’re deployed in the field or harsh, factory environments.

    Reply
  24. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Joint IIoT solution for process industries developed
    https://www.controleng.com/single-article/joint-iiot-solution-for-process-industries-developed/1ac9193173d86f14f4b7a40c5d5b0907.html?OCVALIDATE=

    SAP and Endress+Hauser will intensify their cooperation in the development of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications for the process industry by integrating Endress+Hauser field instruments as digital twins into the SAP cloud platform.

    SAP and Endress+Hauser will intensify their cooperation in the development of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications for the process industry. The goal is to fully integrate the Endress+Hauser field instruments as digital twins into the SAP cloud platform. The plan is to integrate master and sensor data as well as measurement values into customer business, logistics and production processes and develop new digital services focused on predictive maintenance and predictive quality.

    Reply
  25. Tomi Engdahl says:

    A Coming of Age for CircuitPython?
    https://blog.hackster.io/a-coming-of-age-for-circuitpython-efb1b9c61aa3

    When new hardware arrives being Arduino-compatible is still important, but increasingly new boards also advertise support for a higher level language, with support for MicroPython, and Adafruit’s custom fork CircuitPython, being firmly in the lead.

    The Adafruit Gemma M0 was the first board to run CircuitPython out of the box, others have followed including the Metro M0 Express, Metro M4, Feather M0 Express and, just yesterday, the new Feather M4.

    Reply
  26. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Renegade Elite: Indiegogo Campaign Launch
    https://libre.computer/2018/07/12/renegade-elite-indiegogo-campaign-launch/

    The ROC-RK3399-PC (Renegade Elite) is the culmination of six months of development effort between the Libre Computer Project and Firefly teams to re-envision computing as we know it.

    usage scenarios for the edge computing market

    https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/renegade-elite-the-revolutionary-mini-computer-computers-pc#/

    Reply
  27. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Geotag with embedded sensors is LoRaWAN compatible
    https://www.edn.com/electronics-products/electronic-product-reviews/other/4460856/Geotag-with-embedded-sensors-is-LoRaWAN-compatible?utm_source=Aspencore&utm_medium=EDN&utm_campaign=social

    Everynet is an IoT enabler and has an intellectual property (IP) portfolio that provides low power wide area (LPWA) wireless network solutions to solve their customer IoT challenges.
    In this review, I want to highlight a disposable, action-driven reference design by Everynet called TouchTAG. It is a low cost, small size (19.4×58×6.6 mm), lightweight (5 g) geotag with sensors embedded. The compact design is compatible with the LoRaWAN LPWA protocol stack and is programmable over-the-air as well.

    The device has an integrated accelerometer that conveys its spatial orientation. That orientation is determined via Euler’s angles.

    When I was a Texas Instruments applications engineer in the early 2000s, I remember many companies asking me for a tiny, disposable sensor that could be used in a shipping package/container to detect temperature and shock while in shipment. The closest thing I could think of was a tiny, low-cost 8-bit microcontroller and some external analog components.

    At the LoRa Alliance Open House, Pearce gave each member of the press a TouchTAG which had a unique 64-bit extended unique identifier (EUI) that when entered in a webpage and in range of any of the extensive network of LoRaWAN gateways, the activity and location could be monitored online, and alerts sent via e-mail to your personal device. We were able to see the device motion along with fall/drop detection, LoRaWAN geolocation, and the temperature sensors

    Everynet has even made performing an IoT proof of concept (PoC) easy with their PoC Kit.

    http://everynet.com/iot-products/#poc-kit

    Reply
  28. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Flipper’s Development Board Allows You to Control Devices Using Any Programming Language
    https://blog.hackster.io/flipper-ios-development-board-allows-you-to-control-devices-using-any-programming-language-781158cd484e

    The Flipper: Carbon embedded development board is a unique platform that enables you to create your own applications using whatever code you prefer, meaning you can use it with just about any SoC, microcontroller, or SBC regardless of their ecosystems to control hardware.

    As far as the specs are concerned, the Flipper: Carbon is outfitted with an Arm Cortex-M4 SoC, which features 1Mb of Flash, 128Kb of SRAM, and allows for up to 8Mb of Flash storage. It also supports up to 32 GPIO, I2C, SPI, USART, along with

    You can use any programming language you prefer — Python, C/C++, JavaScript, PHP, and so forth to build your applications, although you will need to inject the Flipper software library into those apps for them to engage the board

    Reply
  29. Tomi Engdahl says:

    A Cellphone, but Without the Box
    https://blog.hackster.io/a-cellphone-but-without-the-box-bbd523b63ce2

    The most obvious example of the peace dividend I’ve ever seen?
    Over the course of the last few months, Orange Pi has released three cellular boards running Android intended to be used to build Internet of Things smart things; two slightly different 3G boards, and a 4G board.

    Reply
  30. Tomi Engdahl says:

    ARM unveils Cortex-A76 and Mali-G76 – higher performance, better power efficiency
    https://m.gsmarena.com/arm_unveils_cortexa76_and_malig76__higher_performance_better_power_efficiency-news-31428.php

    Each year new flagships come out with new chipsets, which in turn require new cores. To that end, ARM unveiled a new big core – the Cortex-A76. And there’s a new GPU too, the Mali-G76, along with a new video processor for the 8K future.

    Reply
  31. Tomi Engdahl says:

    That $20 Wyze Cam now works with Alexa
    https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/19/that-20-wyze-cam-now-works-with-alexa/?sr_share=facebook&utm_source=tcfbpage

    The Wyze Cam has long been a strong contender for the best deal in connected home security. I haven’t actually tried the thing out, but Greg was “surprisingly impressed” with his hands-on time with the 1080p camera. That’s probably enough in and of itself to justify the $20 price tag.

    Now the dirt-cheap camera’s getting some added features, courtesy of a software update. Starting today, owners of the Wyze Cam v2 and the $30 Wyze Cam Pan will be able to use Alexa to summon live video feeds on the Echo Show, Spot and through the Fire TV Stick (using the voice-enabled remote).

    Reply
  32. Tomi Engdahl says:

    C.H.I.P. Pro Clones Now on Amazon
    https://blog.hackster.io/c-h-i-p-pro-clones-now-on-amazon-8f05c814b95e

    The demise of Next Thing Co. has left a number of C.H.I.P. owners annoyed, but there’s now some interesting news for those of you that are missing the C.H.I.P. Pro. A company called Source Parts is now “…actively producing CHIP Pro derivatives and has made them available on Amazon.”

    Reply
  33. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The Khadas Edge Board, Another Attempt at System-on-Module for Makers?
    https://blog.hackster.io/the-khadas-edge-board-another-attempt-at-system-on-module-for-makers-bfee5f3447e1

    At one point I thought that the arrival of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module might be the start of a new type of ecosystem in the maker single-board computing market. The adoption of the ubiquitous SODIMM connector, which was readily and cheaply available from multiple vendors, meant that the Compute Module could provide the compute for a custom built PCB, and then be swapped out for a faster—or just different—module when needed.

    However, the arrival of the Raspberry Pi Zero pretty much killed off the Compute Module in the maker market—price brings its own quality—and we didn’t see any real adoption of the Compute Module. Perhaps, as a community, we’re far too wedded to our breadboard-compatible headers.

    With the BBC Micro:bit withstanding, we haven’t really see many boards with edge connectors in the maker world.

    Based around the Rockchip RK3399, the Khadas Edge is a bit of a corner case even when it comes to boards with edge connectors. Because on the opposite side to the 314-pin MXM3 edge connector, come some standard ports.

    Reply
  34. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Ry Crist / CNET:
    Amazon’s Cloud ESP, a feature for third-party Alexa devices that lets the device closest to a user respond to a question or command, is now generally available — One of the biggest parts of Amazon’s strategy for expanding the voice-activated Alexa ecosystem is to help third-party manufacturers make Alexa gadgets of their own.

    Amazon’s Cloud ESP just made every third-party Alexa gadget a better listener
    https://www.cnet.com/news/amazons-cloud-esp-will-keep-third-party-alexa-gadgets-from-talking-over-one-another/

    The Amazon Echo’s ESP feature makes it so only the Alexa device closest to you responds to your question. Now, new cloud-based software will make it much easier for Alexa gadgets not made by Amazon to follow suit.

    Reply
  35. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Announcing the Nova LTE-M / NB-IoT (“Nova LTE”), a global LPWA development tool
    https://hologram.io/announcing-the-nova-lte/

    WHAT IS THE NOVA?
    The Nova accelerates software development by simplifying access to cellular IoT connectivity. It is an open source USB modem that works with single board computers like the Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone. The upcoming global Cat-M1 & NB-IoT Nova combines the capabilities of Hologram’s global cellular IoT connectivity network and platform, flexible open-source hardware, and a Python SDK/CLI.

    Customers have integrated the Nova in IoT applications ranging from blockchain-based asset tracking to distributed emergency system communication. There a wide range of projects

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  36. Tomi Engdahl says:

    SAMD HCC Module Is an Easy-to-Solder, Arduino and CircuitPython-Compatible Module
    https://blog.hackster.io/samd-hcc-module-is-easy-to-solder-arduino-and-circuitpython-compatible-module-e5a54222bbe9

    The idea behind Sean Hodgins’ SAMD HCC Module is to simplify the development of building your own circuit boards without the hassle of soldering tiny components, while retaining the benefits of a low-power microcontroller.

    Reply
  37. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Dieter Bohn / The Verge:
    Review of Google Assistant-powered Lenovo Smart Display, the first device to run on Android Things, available July 27 with 8″/10″ screens for $199 and $249

    Lenovo Smart Display review: the Google appliance
    Google Assistant gets a screen
    https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/26/17616560/lenovo-smart-display-review-google-assistant-smart-speaker-screen

    The basic idea behind the new Google-powered Smart Displays that are coming this summer is simple: take a Google Home smart speaker and put a screen on it, just like Amazon’s Echo Show. Really if that’s all you take away from this review, you’ve got the basics.

    The Lenovo Smart Display is the first of these new devices on the market. LG, Sony, and JBL have also signed on to make them. Lenovo’s version goes on sale July 27th, priced at $199 for a model with an 8-inch screen and $249 for the model I tested, which has a 10-inch display.

    These Smart Displays run Android Things, a newish operating system based on Android and designed for Internet of Things devices.

    Reply

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