The Exeda – a hardware hacker’s dream

While the device pictured on the left is not likely to win any design prices, hardware hackers will nevertheless be extremely excited about Exeda’s homonymous handheld.

The reason is short and sweet: the box is designed to appeal to hardware and software hackers and freaks of all sorts:

* Open source u-boot bootloader
* Detailed hardware and software documentation
* Full BSP’s
* 10/100Base-T Ethernet port
* JTAG interface
* RS-232
* Unlocked SIM

Specs-wise, it is not too shabby either:

Usability

exeda incorporates a 3.5″ VGA sun-readable display with a touch screen, five row, full QWERTY keypad with backlight and a unique capacitive touchpad acting as a mouse. This makes exeda ideal for reading, browsing and data entry.

Connectivity
* A choice of wireless voice/data modem – quad band GSM/GPRS, CDMA or 3G UMTS
* 802.11g WLAN
* Bluetooth V2.0 + EDR
* 2 USB ports
* RS-232 port

Other features
* Marvell PXA270 520MB CPU
* 128MB RAM
* 2 banks of internal FLASH, 512MB each
* 2MP camera with flash
* GPS with built-in and external antennas
* MicroSD socket with SDHC support
* Built-in microphone and speaker + 3.5mm stereo jack
* High capacity 3000mAh battery

Extension
exeda functionality can be extended with an extension board inside the device. Extension boards may be designed by a 3rd party.
CompuLab will publish the electrical and mechanical interface and provides a reference extension board with full schematics.

Exeda itself provides ROM images of Angstroem Linux, Windows Mobile 6.1 and Android, but plans to add new operating systems in the future (Symbian is a likely contender). It will drop in March 09 for a currently unspecified price – further information will go live as we get it!

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