Hi all,
it is quite a while since our first announcement of the Openmoko Beagle Hybrid
[1] and you may have wondered how the project is going. Since we have got a
very positive feedback for our experiments and targets, we have tried to take
seriously on all the feedback and worked on a new version (as far as it was
possible in this phase). So let me report about news and progress:
1. The key software components (u-boot and kernel 2.6.29) are now available in
a git repository [2] as well as binaries to be directly copied onto an SD card
[3]
2. The binary downloads also includes an Debian Lenny rootfs demo image which
is configured for our kernel and display/touch extensions. It opens LXDE and
allows to run TangoGPS [4].
3. We have fixed a major hardware issue which had made the LCD flicker and
behave strangely
4. Touch screen is working (but will need some more driver configuration).
5. We have joined forces with the Freerunner Navigation Board project
(barometer, compass, gyroscope etc.) [7] and also have added such sensors to
the schematics [10]. But since some the chips are very expensive, not all will
be populated on the PCB.
7. And, a big majority did vote for inclusion of GPS. So we will add the Sirf
III GPS receiver (W2SG0004) and the 3-Axis I2C gyroscope (ITG3200) although the
board became a little more expensive than originally thought (129 EUR instead
of 99 EUR).
8. We have received bare boards and components, have worked with a SMT assembly
company, and now have nice boards which are ready to be ordered [5]. Since we
need to test and pack them, we can ship in approx. 2 weeks.
9. Regarding the request of a nice plastics case, we got quite encouraging
ideas and proposals. E.g. using RepRap/Makerbot/Cupcake like 3D printers [6].
But this needs much more study and a long learning phase. Since the Openmoko
Beagle Hybrid is more a development tool rather than a product, we will see
what we can achieve. If you have such a 3D printer, please try to print a
Freerunner case and report results (e.g. precision, appearance, quality, speed)!
10. We also got some hints and offers for support to make high-density PCBs
that are needed for the integration of a full OMAP system onto a motherboard
replacement for the Freerunner. So we now think that finally, *we can do* a
OMAP3530 upgrade for the Freerunner. But don't expect it soon. And it may not
be cheap. This project will still take many small steps until we can announce
something. One of the major hurdles we see is that we will have to pass CE,
RTTE certifications (since we have to add radio hardware). This is the
ultimate challenge for a small team devoted to open hardware and software (even
if backed by a company like Golden Delicious Computers). So we prefer to
exercise for this tournament behind the curtain.
11. The best way to support our (current and future) projects is to buy the
Beagle Hybrid [5]. And do experiments with it. Learn how to use and/or modify
OMAP3530 software and give us feedback through a dedicated mailing list [8].
We would be very pleased if distributions like SHR, QtMoko, and others also
start to support this hardware/kernel platform. It is not difficult since user
space is quite compatible to the Freerunner and/or Beagle Board and Open
Pandora. First experiments of just running the untarred Freerunner-rootfs of
QtMoko were quite promising (we got touch calibration and were asked for
choosing a user language before some component did segfault).
So, let me invite you to help to build a new future of Openmoko devices!
Nikolaus
[1]:http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Openmoko_Beagle_Hybrid
http://projects.goldelico.com/p/ombeagle/
[2]:http://projects.goldelico.com/p/gta04-uboot/source/tree/master/
http://projects.goldelico.com/p/gta04-kernel/source/tree/master/
[3]:http://download.goldelico.com/ombeagle/trunk/
[4]:http://download.goldelico.com/ombeagle/images/MOV00541.AVI
[5]:http://www.handheld-linux.com/wiki.php?page=Openmoko%20Beagle
[6]:http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://wiki.makerbot.com/cupcake
[7]:http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Freerunner_Navigation_Board_v2
[8]:http://lists.goldelico.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
[9]:http://www.mail-archive.com/community@lists.openmoko.org/msg60033.html
[10]: http://projects.goldelico.com/p/ombeagle/doc/
http://projects.goldelico.com/p/ombeagle/downloads/26/
Mobile Office Solutions
by Golden Delicious Computers GmbHCo. KG
Buchenstr. 3
D-82041 Oberhaching
+49-89-54290367
http://www.handheld-linux.com
AG München, HRA 89571
VAT DE253626266
Komplementär:
Golden Delicious Computers Verwaltungs GmbH
Oberhaching, AG München, HRB 16602
Geschäftsführer: Dr. Nikolaus Schaller
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