Hardware suggestions for v3

[malachi]

Hi!

Given that it's been about 5 months since AI's last hardware announcement, I thought that it might be time for the users to give some suggestions as to the hardware that we'd like to see in the next revision (while letting AI take care of the form factor, as that really is where they excel). Hopefully, we can make the next version even more awesome.

Personally, what I'd like to see is something along the lines of an OMAP 4x processor with 1 GB of RAM and a 16 GB sd card for storage with both wireless and ethernet connections built in (especially the ethernet), as this stays close to AI's vision of the TB as a secondary device while increasing computer power to where it is reasonable to use on a daily basis. Maybe a 10 inch screen as well (I can't speak for others, but I'd be willing to sacrifice an hour or two of battery life for this).

I think this base configuration would solve many of the complaints that have risen about current versions of the TB being too slow, because even though these are secondary devices, they will still be used for primary computing purposes (document processing, for example) and the current models don't seem to handle this too well.

[stheil]

I'd like them to concentrate on the v2, before they think about the v3. Or do they want to skip v2?

[wareagleben]

I also think they should focus on V2, mainly on getting 'em shipped out on time (V1 shipping was timely, why would we doubt them? ) .

I would like to see a Smart Book with an all-in-one mobile processor (GPS, graphics, 1Ghz, etc.) , 1GB RAM, and a removable mouse pad. The mouse pad could be pulled out and used as a presentation device, with computer controls and a laser pointer. I would also like to see an EVEN BIGGER battery in the laptop part, but the same in the tablet, so the laptop dock could realistically be used to recharge the tablet. You could get 20 hours out of the laptop, or get 4 hours out of the tablet, recharge it with the keyboard, and get 4 more hours of tablet use. Perhaps the WiFi use could be fixed somehow? That would make me pretty excited!

[malachi]

@sthiel:

I do too, but I also think it's unrealistic to think that AI isn't already planning v3, given that v2 is in "production phase."

@wb

That device sounds awesome.

[lamawithonel]

AI's window of opportunity is passed and I expect they'll close up shop after v2 ships-- if not willingly, by force of market conditions. There was a brief period when the Beagle Board was still fairly cutting edge and a great value, and the void in the market for ARM based (low energy) smartbook/tablets was begging for a company like AI to fill it. That time has passed. With this year's planned release of ARM based devices from nearly all the major manufactures, even a design based on the leading low-price reference Panda Board would tail the market.

The only way AI can come back is to get it's act together with customer support and satisfaction, vastly improve product quality, and secure an early OEM contract for a Cortex-A15 or improved Cortex-A9 chip. That's a pretty tall order. About the only thing AI has going for itself is the patent on the flip-screen, though that may be more valuable than the company itself.

If by chance they do manage to launch a TB3, I hope they aim squarely at their Linux enthusiast base, building around a next-gen Sitara-like chip. That is, I think they should aim at traditional computing goals rather than basing their designs on a chip made for phones. A solid netbook is what I really want, with a tablet mode for secondary e-reading only. Next to that, I think they'd do well to consider a clustering blade server product. But none of that means OMAP. The OMAP is the wrong way to go, IMO. To make a truly great developer platform, you need real Ethernet, but that means integrated it in to the SoC, not just a taking on a USB peripheral. Right now the Sitara is the only chip that does that, IIRC. Unfortunately development of that chip and chips like it takes back seat to the more lucrative phone centric chips. But I digress.

The TB is a great developer platform, but that's about it. AI is too small to compete in the consumer device market. If they are to continue they need to focus on developers and enthusiasts. That means devices with keyboards and possibly compile farm products.

[trevj]

[...]To make a truly great developer platform, you need real Ethernet, but that means integrated it in to the SoC, not just a taking on a USB peripheral. Right now the Sitara is the only chip that does that, IIRC.[...]

How about the TMS320C6A816x?

[...]If they are to continue they need to focus on developers and enthusiasts.[...]

Hear, hear!

[...]That means devices with keyboards and possibly compile farm products.

And working keyboards, at that!

[gdg]

As already posted to contact@alwaysinnovating.com, I would pay for the option of having Cortex A9 and at least 2 Gb of RAM. If the socket is the same, I may try to buy the new processor myself, but it might not fit seamlessly . Matlab through Bochs would be possible; this is important to me.

I know, It would ruin the battery time. The linux kernel knows about processor hotplug, hence if the MID board v3 is modified to have both cortex A8 and cortex A9, it would be easy for software to control the power of the Cortex A9.

( and where can I order the small video projector that is featured in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWqjymOfB_U titled "mplayer Hardware innovations from Always Innovating" ?)

[htitan]

I just wish my V1 was good for something. Anything. Well, it works ok as a paperweight. Keeps the door from blowing open. I used it as a notepad by putting some paper on it.

I sure wouldn't buy anything else from them.

[malachi]

Personally, I have mine being used to take notes for classes, and when I don't feel like lugging around my main laptop (as it's getting old and fickle) to do some minor computer stuff (playing music, llight compiling, etc).

[lamawithonel]

As already posted to contact@alwaysinnovating.com, I would pay for the option of having Cortex A9 and at least 2 Gb of RAM. If the socket is the same, I may try to buy the new processor myself, but it might not fit seamlessly . Matlab through Bochs would be possible; this is important to me.

I know, It would ruin the battery time. The linux kernel knows about processor hotplug, hence if the MID board v3 is modified to have both cortex A8 and cortex A9, it would be easy for software to control the power of the Cortex A9.

( and where can I order the small video projector that is featured in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWqjymOfB_U titled "mplayer Hardware innovations from Always Innovating" ?)

You'd have a hell of a time making that work. Even if the pin-out is the same, you'll need some pretty sophisticated soldering rework equipment to remove the old chip and replace it with a new one. Not only that, but you might need an X-ray scanner to ensure all the "pins" are connected. The problem is, most embedded chips these days don't use the traditional socket style connectors, instead relying on much more compact "ball-grid array" or BGA pin-outs. If you open up just about any smart phone or high-end electronic device you'll notice at least one rectangular chip without any pins protruding from the sides and no socket layer beneath it. That's a BGA chip.

As for the video, I think GG needs to leave the wining to his lawyers. We all know ASUS and Motorola stole his ideas, but he needs to come up with something else for the future. I understand he's looking for OEM contracts, maybe a buyout or maybe just a high-level design job with a major multi-national, but if he can't deliver on his existing products and move foreword with new ones, he might as well rename the company "Used-to-be Innovating" and move on to sending out his resume like the rest of us.

I fundamentally like the Smartbook idea, but it's just too hackish for prime time. Nobody wants to expose the internals just to get at the MID or what-have-you. Streamline the form factor so everything slides in and out of little slots in the side of the book. Think PCMCIA cards or seamless cradles like you find on third-party iPod products. And not just the partial think like you'd find on the Atrix keyboard; make the entire device fit seamlessly into the design-- no protrusions. If it has built in peripherals, use those, too. The MID is more than just a CPU.

E-paper is cool, too, since AI's so into integration. Pull-out, remote reader screen? I'm talking Bluetooth dumb-terminal for page by page reading only-- not even light browsing. That's why there's a main screen. In any case, device convergence has by no means reached a pinnacle.

As long as AI is into ARM development, why not create a small, self-contained cluster server or Internet appliance? Something along the lines of the Gumstix Stagecoach but with a faster interconnect-- coming back to the on-die Ethernet thing. That's not to mention it should be fully packaged, maybe with blade-like modularity. Even if it's only ever sold as a development/compile platform on a strictly custom basis, that's a hell of an emerging market. I'd be willing to bet there are at least a few people out there willing to buy a modular Sitara or Integra product, if only for the CAN bus. I mean, they're perfect for the drones that are all the rage these days. I'd personally consider using them for home automation and with integrated multimedia.

Anyway, I could probably go on...