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Linux Computer in USB Key Form-Factor

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the put-that-in-yer-pipe-and-smoke-it dept.

PMBjornerud writes "A start-up located in the French Alps near Grenoble is readying a tiny ARM-based Linux single-board computer (SBC) in a USB key form-factor. Calao's USB-9260 USB key-sized SBC measures 3.3 x 1.4 inches (85 x 36 mm). It is based on an Atmel AT91SAM9260 processor, an SoC (system-on-chip) powered by an ARM926EJ-S core clocked at 190MHz. The SoC targets "advanced applications such as GPS application processors," according to Atmel. Here is a Spec sheet PDF. With a 10/100 Ethernet port, firewall usage springs to mind. Other interfaces are 2 USB host ports and room for an expansion card. Which should allow some creative uses. "

10 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. Re:OBLIG: Imagine a beowolf... by mabhatter654 · · Score: 3, Informative

    It's like a tidied up Gumstix. For small computers those guys rule the market right now. All the power of a WinCE or Palm in a tiny little board. They are missing USB hosting and video for the complete package. But they have Bluetooth and robot servo control... kinda makes up for it.

  2. Israeli companies have been making them for years by Organic+User · · Score: 5, Informative

    Many Israeli companies have been making computer-on-a-stick for quiet a while now. For example, Yoggie has been making some running linux to be used for security applications. I pick up a regular computer-on-a-stick for about $40USD 3 years ago in Tel Aviv.

  3. USB Key form factor computer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Imagine a beowulf cluster of these!

  4. Re:firewall? duh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    I'd imagine it would be possible to make it at least desktop firewall by using the USB ports to connect the device to a workstation; making the device more of a USB network card with an integrated firewall.

  5. Re:but does it run... by zergl · · Score: 2, Informative

    Assuming your question was seriously serious:

    I can't see how it does, considering there's no Opensolaris for ARM that I know of.

  6. Re:a couple things I wonder by OrangeTide · · Score: 2, Informative

    How is it $40? "The Yoggie Pico is available now, priced at $180 with a year's subscription to updates, according to the company. Subscriptions will cost $30/year thereafter."

    --
    “Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
  7. Re:That's right, a Linux computer in a USB drive by iggymanz · · Score: 2, Informative

    Linux is already being used in tons of embedded and monitor/control applications, what are you talking about?

  8. Re:imagine by stoolpigeon · · Score: 3, Informative

    Grindel? Is this a localization thing? I have never heard of Grindel - Grendel, but not Grindel.

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
  9. Re:Firewall by owlstead · · Score: 2, Informative

    It seems this one is quite a bit smaller as well. Furthermore, it has 256 MB flash instead of max 16 for the gumstix I saw. Then again, you can easily upgrade the memory of the gumstix using SD or compact flash. And the gumstix seem to have more options. Of course, it depends on the price as well. The gumstix seem to be pretty sweetly priced, we'll just have to wait for the prices of these.

  10. Re:A Linux Computer on a bootable USB disk? by dysfunct · · Score: 2, Informative

    Did you mean the BlackDog Personal Server?

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    :/- spoon(_).