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Ben NanoNote
open-in-new
<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>Originally the hardware was developed by a third party as a digital dictionary. After the effort of several Qi Hardware developers, the design was freed as <a href="/facts/Open_source_hardware/UgCHeVsm">open source hardware</a> while using <a href="/facts/Free_and_open_source_software/1cHtjLCB">free and open source software</a>. </p><p>The product used to be manufactured by <a href="/facts/Qi_hardware/xGAmgM5b">Qi hardware</a> and Sharism At Work Ltd. As of 2011, more than 1,000 units had been sold.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="software">Software</h2> <p>The device is shipped with the <a href="/facts/OpenWrt/3VYxerTY">OpenWrt</a> software stack; the custom compilation includes a graphical menu called gmenu2x, with other graphical and command line applications available from the menu.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p><p><a href="/facts/OpenEmbedded/GcM0GeJQ">OpenEmbedded</a> is also available through the <a href="/facts/Jlime/B3lrBeWL">Jlime</a> distribution.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> The Pyneo software stack, a Debian-like distribution aimed for mobiles has been ported.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> The <a href="/facts/MIPS_architecture/efV4KgK4">MIPS architecture</a> port of <a href="/facts/Debian/cBd93qfJ">Debian</a> <a href="/facts/Linux/9FvCKSTq">Linux</a> can be run on the NanoNote.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> Additionally there is NanoNixOS, a cross-compiled distribution based on the <a href="/facts/Nix_package_manager/7h98ahtx">Nix package manager</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="reception">Reception</h2> <p>After the 2010 introduction of the Ben NanoNote, reviewers praised its small size and low cost (<a href="/facts/United_States_dollar/naEEDUhC">US$</a>99), but also criticized the device for its initial lack of any <a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">networking</a> capability and for its extremely modest <a href="/facts/Data_storage_device/uCvJ6nrq">data storage</a> and <a href="/facts/Random-access_memory/DuD4bxh6">RAM</a> capabilities in comparison to other contemporary devices.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="product-development">Product development</h2> <p>Because the device lacked wireless connectivity, implementing this was one of the first goals for the Qi Hardware movement. This add-on, the Ben WPAN, was developed by <a href="/facts/Werner_Almesberger/U9BP9UPa">Werner Almesberger</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> and mainly consists of an <a href="/facts/IEEE_802.15.4/PH0j6uVX">IEEE 802.15.4</a> subsystem, made up of two boards: a USB dongle (ATUSB) connected to the computer and another card connected to the SDIO port of the device (ATBEN). </p><p>All source code, documentation and test procedures, software and hardware schematics are available under <a href="/facts/Copyleft/DHjTyl7C">copyleft licenses</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a> </p><p>UBB, or Universal Breakout Board,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> is a <a href="/facts/Printed_circuit_board/muSR2p43">PCB</a> shaped like a microSD card, focused on DIY projects and general purpose interfacing using the available MMC/SDIO port. </p><p>So far two hacks had been published: one of them, the integration with a 443 MHz RF transceiver<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a> for power sockets control purposes and later a mix of <a href="/facts/Bit_banging/7DpmIV0q">bit banging</a> and SDIO/DMA features turning the SD card slot into a VGA port.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a> </p><p>As the Ben NanoNote uses an Ingenic JZ4720 processor it supports <a href="/facts/Booting/j6N1kRpc">booting</a> from USB without use of the NAND flash memory.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="derivatives">Derivatives</h2> <p>The <i>SIE board</i> is an adaptation of the NanoNote. It has twice the memory and features a XC3S Xilinx <a href="/facts/FPGA/M8LSGcAU">FPGA</a> on board. It is based on the <a href="/facts/XBurst/c71BoAld">XBurst</a> JZ4725 SoC, which has more I/O pins available due to not having a keyboard.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="technical-specifications">Technical specifications</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/XBurst/c71BoAld">XBurst</a> JZ4720 336 MHz MIPS processor from <a href="/facts/Ingenic_Semiconductor/c71BoAld">Ingenic Semiconductor</a></li> <li>3.0" 320x240 pixels colour <a href="/facts/TFT_LCD/4Y8CbuLX">TFT LCD</a></li> <li>32 MB <a href="/facts/SDRAM/regKJe8M">SDRAM</a></li> <li>2 GB <a href="/facts/NAND_flash/Cn8JsStx">NAND flash</a> memory</li> <li>1 <a href="/facts/SDHC/RLL9UTly">SDHC</a> slot (SDIO/DMA capable)</li> <li>59-key <a href="/facts/Computer_keyboard/MczF9LIS">keyboard</a></li> <li>Stereo headphones connector, mono speaker and microphone</li> <li>USB Client 2.0 High-Speed Device, Mini B connector</li> <li>3.7 V, 850 mAh <a href="/facts/Li-ion_battery/3L22xFhB">Li-ion battery</a></li> <li>Overall dimension (lid closed): 99 * 75 * 17.5mm. (display: 7.5mm, keyboard: 10mm)</li> <li>Weight: 126 g (4.4 oz) (including battery)</li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_open_source_computing_hardware/sNbvCc37">List of open source computing hardware</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_open_source_hardware_projects/yaMnQJRc">List of open source hardware projects</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Milkymist/9pKWEkBM">Milkymist</a></li></ul> <h2 id="further-reading">Further reading</h2> <ul><li>Melanson, Donald ( March 15, 2010). <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/qi-hardwares-tiny-hackable-ben-nanonote-now-shipping/">"Qi Hardware's tiny, hackable Ben NanoNote now shipping."</a> AOL Engadget.</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ben NanoNote. <ul><li><a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Ben_NanoNote">Official website</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364710,00.asp">Qi Hardware Launches Open-Source Computer</a> PCMag.com</li> <li><a href="http://www.linux-magazine.com/Online/News/Hands-on-Ben-NanoNote-Micronotebook">Hands-on: Ben NanoNote Micronotebook</a> Linux Magazine Online</li> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/28/milkymist/">Open-source hardware group puts out vid system-on-a-chip</a>. <i>The Register</i>.</li> <li><a href="https://www.linux.com/news/embedded-mobile/netbooks/296251">A Review: Ben NanoNote Gets Small with Embedded Linux</a> Linux.com</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Melanson, Donald. "Qi Hardware's tiny, hackable Ben NanoNote now shipping", Engadget, 15 March 2010 (accessed 1 November 2012) <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/qi-hardwares-tiny-hackable-ben-nanonote-now-shipping/" target="_blank">https://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/qi-hardwares-tiny-hackable-ben-nanonote-now-shipping/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Humphrey, Benjamin. "Is This The World’s Smallest Linux Laptop?", OMG! Ubuntu!, 17 January 2012 (accessed 1 November 2012) <a href="http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/01/the-ben-nanonote-the-worlds-smallest-linux-laptop" target="_blank">http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/01/the-ben-nanonote-the-worlds-smallest-linux-laptop</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Murphy, David. "Qi Hardware Launches Open-Source Computer", PC Magazine, 17 January 2012 (accessed 1 November 2012) <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364710,00.asp" target="_blank">https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364710,00.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Ben NanoNote - Qi-Hardware (accessed 1 November 2012) <a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Ben_NanoNote" target="_blank">http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Ben_NanoNote</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Ben Nanonote". qi-hardware.com. 2011-07-18. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-18. <a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Ben_NanoNote" target="_blank">http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Ben_NanoNote</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Applications". Qi Hardware Wiki. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Applications" target="_blank">http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Applications</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Jlime Muffinman". Jlime.com. 2010-11-01. Archived from the original on 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20111003162504/http://jlime.com/wiki/documentation/user/nanonote/muffinman" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20111003162504/http://jlime.com/wiki/documentation/user/nanonote/muffinman</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"how to debian". Pyneo.org. 2009-09-12. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://pyneo.org/howto/debian/nano.html" target="_blank">http://pyneo.org/howto/debian/nano.html</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Debian". Qi Hardware Wiki. 2010-12-29. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Debian" target="_blank">http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Debian</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"nanonixos: Documentation". Vicerveza.homeunix.net. 2011-03-01. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://vicerveza.homeunix.net/~viric/cgi-bin/nanonixos/" target="_blank">http://vicerveza.homeunix.net/~viric/cgi-bin/nanonixos/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Murphy, David. "Qi Hardware Launches Open-Source Computer", PC Magazine, 17 January 2012 (accessed 1 November 2012) <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364710,00.asp" target="_blank">https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364710,00.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Halfacree, Gareth. [Qi Hardware launches NanoNote "Qi Hardware launches NanoNote"], bit-tech, 16 March 2010 (accessed 1 November 2012) <a href="/wiki/Bit-tech" target="_blank">/wiki/Bit-tech</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Terrence O'Brien (2011-06-17). "Qi-Hardware debuts free, open source wireless solution, not a threat to WiFi". engadget.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18. <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/qi-hardware-debuts-free-open-source-wireless-solution-not-a-th/" target="_blank">https://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/qi-hardware-debuts-free-open-source-wireless-solution-not-a-th/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"Qi Hardware Releases Free Wireless Hardware". rejon.org. 2011-06-15. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-18. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110708204104/http://rejon.org/2011/06/qi-hardware-releases-free-wireless-hardware/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110708204104/http://rejon.org/2011/06/qi-hardware-releases-free-wireless-hardware/</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Jake (2011-06-16). "Phillips: Qi Hardware Releases Free Wireless Hardware". lwn.net. Retrieved 2011-07-18. <a href="https://lwn.net/Articles/448048/" target="_blank">https://lwn.net/Articles/448048/</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Electronista Staff (2011-06-17). "Qi Hardware makes open-source wireless networking tech". electronista.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-21. Retrieved 2011-07-18. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110621075818/http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/06/17/wireless.dongle.is.royalty.free" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110621075818/http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/06/17/wireless.dongle.is.royalty.free</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Fabricatorz Staff (2011-06-17). "Qi Hardware Releases First Batch of 6LoWPAN Wireless Devices". fabricatorz.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-07-18. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110724025812/http://fabricatorz.com/2011/06/qi-hardware-releases-first-batch-of-6lowpan-wireless-devices/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110724025812/http://fabricatorz.com/2011/06/qi-hardware-releases-first-batch-of-6lowpan-wireless-devices/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"IEEE 802.15.4 subsystem — IEEE 802.15.4 Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)". Projects.qi-hardware.com. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://projects.qi-hardware.com/index.php/p/ben-wpan/" target="_blank">http://projects.qi-hardware.com/index.php/p/ben-wpan/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Ben WPAN". Qi Hardware Wiki. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Ben_WPAN" target="_blank">http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Ben_WPAN</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"Qi Hardware Releases First Batch of 6LoWPAN Wireless Devices". Fabricatorz. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110724025812/http://fabricatorz.com/2011/06/qi-hardware-releases-first-batch-of-6lowpan-wireless-devices/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110724025812/http://fabricatorz.com/2011/06/qi-hardware-releases-first-batch-of-6lowpan-wireless-devices/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>"Ubb". Qi Hardware Wiki. 2011-05-11. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/UBB" target="_blank">http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/UBB</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>"RF control from just about any device". Hack a Day. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://hackaday.com/2011/02/20/rf-control-from-just-about-any-device/" target="_blank">http://hackaday.com/2011/02/20/rf-control-from-just-about-any-device/</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>"Bit banging VGA from an SD card slot". Hack a Day. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://hackaday.com/2011/05/10/bit-banging-vga-from-an-sd-card-slot/" target="_blank">http://hackaday.com/2011/05/10/bit-banging-vga-from-an-sd-card-slot/</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>"Micro-SD Card Slot Abused As VGA-Port". Hardware.slashdot.org. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/05/07/1215246/Micro-SD-Card-Slot-Abused-As-VGA-Port" target="_blank">http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/05/07/1215246/Micro-SD-Card-Slot-Abused-As-VGA-Port</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>"Updating Ben NanoNote software". Qi Hardware Wiki. 2011-04-21. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Updating_Ben_NanoNote_software" target="_blank">http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Updating_Ben_NanoNote_software</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>"Xburst-tools". Qi Hardware Wiki. 2011-04-25. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Xburst-tools" target="_blank">http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Xburst-tools</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>"SIE". Wiki-linuxencaja. 2011-06-08. Archived from the original on 2011-09-02. Retrieved 2011-06-19. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110902100835/http://wiki.linuxencaja.net/wiki/SIE" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110902100835/http://wiki.linuxencaja.net/wiki/SIE</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>"SIE". Wiki-qi-hardware. <a href="http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Sie" target="_blank">http://en.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Sie</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>