Linux Devices and Mobile Systems

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Nov 14, 2026

• CNX Software ☛ Vantron unveils i.MX 952 SMARC system-on-module for Edge Hey Hi (AI) Vision and Industrial HMI at Electronica 2026

  Vantron has introduced the VT-SBC-SMARC-IMX952, an 82 × 50 mm SMARC 2.1 system-on-module (SoM) built around NXP’s i.MX 952 processor with two or four Arm Cortex-A55 cores, a Mali-G310 GPU, and a 2 TOPS eIQ Neutron NPU. The module is designed for industrial HMIs, edge Hey Hi (AI) vision, factory automation, in-cabin sensing, and other embedded applications. The module comes with 8GB LPDDR4x memory, 64GB eMMC storage, two Ethernet interfaces (GbE + 2.5 GbE) with TSN support, and an optional Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless module.

• Linux Gizmos ☛ Modular GPS smartwatch with STM32 MCU and open-source SDK

  Pimoroni now lists the UNA Watch, a modular GPS smartwatch built around an open-source software platform and replaceable hardware components. The wearable combines an STMicroelectronics STM32U595 microcontroller, multi-satellite GPS, fitness sensors, and a public C++ SDK for developing custom applications.

• CNX Software ☛ Home Assistant-compatible ESP32 4-channel PWM fan controller is designed for server racks and NAS systems

  Designed by CoolMaker Lab in China, the ESP32 4-channel PWM fan controller is an open-source, Home Assistant-compatible board for managing cooling in server racks, NAS systems, network cabinets, and other DIY enclosures. It can independently control up to four 4-pin PWM fans, supporting PWM-based speed adjustment, tachometer-based RPM monitoring, and individual fan power switching. The controller supports up to four external DS18B20 temperature sensors for automatic fan speed adjustment, along with a web interface, an HTTP REST Hey Hi (AI) and Bluetooth proxy functionality.

• Linux Gizmos ☛ Slim industrial panel PC lineup spans 10.1 to 21.5 inches

  Cincoze recently expanded its CV-200/P Series of industrial panel PCs with 28 new configurations spanning 10.1-inch to 18.5-inch displays. The additions complement the existing 21.5-inch models, combining Intel Core, N-series, and Atom processors with modular display technology for industrial HMI and automation applications.

• Hackaday ☛ Using A Toothbrush’s NFC Chip To Unlock A Computer

  Unsurprisingly it’s easy enough to read and write this same NFC chip with a PN532 NFC reader and ESP32-S3 MCU. This reveals data fields for everything from brush type, to total runtime and expected lifetime, inviting a bit of experimentation on how certain usage patterns affects these data fields.

• Hackaday ☛ Drop-in Vintage CPU Replacements With The TranZPUter Project

  Standing for ‘transformable ZPU Computer’, the tranZPUter is transformable in the sense that it features an FPGA or MCU and the initial iteration targeting the ZPU Evo CPU design. This has led to a number of variants of this concept, including a version targeting the Z80, the 6502 and 6809. These are based around the RP2350B MCU, using its PIO peripheral to great effect.

• Hackaday ☛ Hacked Nixie Clock Waits For The Bus

  But for [Justin Scott], putting his new two-digit Nixie clock board into a handsome box was only half the battle. He also wanted to do something a bit more interesting than just tell the time. To convert the board from a simple clock to a device that could show how many minutes until the next bus showed up at his local stop, he had to hack the firmware and establish a communication link to a Raspberry Pi to do the heavy lifting.

• Hackaday ☛ Fixing A Dead Socket LGA 1851 Mainboard With A Resistor

  A basic understanding of how these mainboards power up and verify that they can move on to the next phase is essential here, starting with the power rails. Although the culprit turned out to be a single missing 5.1 Ohm resistor on an SPI clock line, you still have to reason your way through the diagnosis. For this mainboard the boardview was fortunately available, but that still doesn’t make it easy to spot components that have quietly left the chat.

• Jeff Kaufman ☛ Stroh Violin Shoulder Rest

  It's a piece of 1/4" plywood for a full-size shoulder rest to grip, a piece of 3/4" plywood for getting the distance right and something for screws to bite, and then it attaches to the metal plate on the Stroh with screws around the perimeter.

• Mobile Systems/Mobile Applications

  • Kevin Boone ☛ Graphene OS on Motorola’s new flagship cellphone

    This will be the first time that a major handset vendor officially supports de-Googled firmware. To be sure, companies like Murena are selling handsets with /e/OS installed, but they aren’t making them. The Motorola/Graphene deal could represent a significant milestone along Android’s long road. Making Graphene an official choice at purchase time sends a clear signal that it’s a first-class component of the handset, not a geek toy.

  • Gonçalo Valério ☛ The need for at least a third option

    iOS was always closed, and Apple has more control over your device than you. Android was supposed to be the open alternative. Deep down in theory that is still true, in practice, Google is trying very hard to close that gap gradually. Users have been losing control for a while, and recently we found that to run software on your devices you will need to pay for Google’s permission. It gets worse; even paying you will need to follow a cumbersome process to install software that can take 24 hours.