$25 PIAF on a stick (no computer required)? Might be sooner then you think

[ghurty]

This tiny USB stick PC sports a HDMI port on one end and a USB port on the other. It comes equipped with a decent 700 MHz ARM 11 processor, 128 MB of RAM, a USB port, support 1080p video and the ability to add a webcam or WiFi module. All this for $25.

http://cti.tmcnet.com/news/2011/05/06/5493449.htm

 

[mbellot]

Very interesting, but seems too low on RAM for a stable PBX install.

I limped along with 256MB in my simple PBX for a long time. After upgrading to 1GB I don't think I could ever go back.

 

[vcallaway]

A stripped system would work fine. They are talking about running asterisk, not the whole freepbx, mysql server etc...

I could see setting up a system in a virtualbox and then just copying the asterisk config files over. A simple small office system could run just fine.

I may get one when they come out.

 

[gregc]

It'd be slick if they made a version with a ethernet plug on it that allowed the stick to be directly plugged into a POE switch!

 

[MrBostn]

It'd be slick if they made a version with a ethernet plug on it that allowed the stick to be directly plugged into a POE switch!

That would be brilliant!

 

[ghurty]

Maybe if we would all submit feedback to the manufacturer, they would add the POE option.

Some more details from the manufacturers website:
http://www.raspberrypi.org/

Provisional specification

• 700MHz ARM11
• 256MB of SDRAM
• OpenGL ES 2.0
• 1080p30 H.264 high-profile decode
• Composite and HDMI video output
• USB 2.0
• SD/MMC/SDIO memory card slot
• General-purpose I/O
• Open software (Ubuntu, Iceweasel, KOffice, Python)

Frequently asked questions

When will the device be available to purchase?

We anticipate the device will be available to the general public later in 2011.
How do I connect a mouse and keyboard?

Mice, keyboards, network adapters and external storage connect via a USB HUB.
What are the power requirements?

The device is powered by an external AC adapter, and consumes a little under 1W at full load.
Will there be a buy-one-give-one program?

Yes. We plan to implement a program of this sort.

 

[gregc]

Feedback sent.

 

[gregc]

Wow... they are fast:

Hi Greg
Thanks for your mail. The devices should be available to the general
public later in the year; I'll add you to our mailing list, and will
keep you posted as we get closer to launch.

POE comes up a lot - we'll have a look at whether this feasible.
Cheers
Eben

 

[Tekmon]

A British nonprofit has a novel idea for getting kids interested in computer programming, a computer that fits in a pocket and costs less than the latest video game, it’s* called Raspberry Pi which is looks like a leftover scrap from electronics recycling day.The mission recalls other projects that have attempted to make low-cost computers available to kids, like the One Laptop per Child initiative’s dream of $100 Internet-ready laptops worldwide or a $35 tablet from India……….



*

A games developer, David Braben recently paid the BBC a visit with a prototype computer called the Raspberry Pi and the* minicomputer consists of a tiny circuit board with an ARM processor, a USB port and a HDMI connection.He was the programmer of the eighties space opera Elite, but now Braben has invented something cool on the hardware front.The name of the Raspberry Pi, named after the UK based charity the Raspberry Pi Foundation which is set to produce it.The aim of the charity is to widely distribute this super-cheap computer-on-a-stick in order to help teach the basics of programming to kids in both the developed and developing world.Priced at £15, the mini-PC has a USB port for attaching a keyboard and HDMI output for hooking up to a TV or monitor to give yourself a functioning Ubuntu-driven computer. It’s certainly a cool idea (although there’s no room for a mouse with just the one USB port).The specs include a 700MHz ARM11 processor and 128MB of SDRAM, with an SD/MMC/SDIO memory card slot, and support for 1080p H.264 high-profile decode along with OpenGL ES 2.0.Braben hopes the Raspberry Pi will be tucked into enthusiastically by kids in this country who find their Office-oriented ICT classes a supreme turn-off.It becomes a fully fledged product that can be manufactured for about $25 (£15) and given away for free, it sure looks like a promising project that can inspire the next generation of young programmers.

 

[Tekmon]

This is a tool and great one for teaching.

 

[Tekmon]

Get one for your kids. I'm to old but as the world is going bit heads will rule.

 

[vcallaway]

The ZX80, now THAT brings back memories.

I fully expect that in the next few years devices like this are going to become prevalent. Even the TV I just bought has built in Wifi and does streaming on demand. My phone has more cpu power than the old laptop I run PIAF on.

Devices like this can really stir the creative ideas. What would benefit from having a full blown computer embedded in it?

 

[mbellot]

Still have some Timex/Sinclair units NIB. I tell my kids they should be worth a fortune as collector's items by the time I pass.

More likely your kids will be fined heavily for the "environmental impact" of the lead content in those of PC boards.