As many of you have probably noticed the forum has gotten an update. We’re still tweaking things now that the new layout and features are live, and we’ll continue to monitor your feedback and update things on a need-be basis. With the webpage and forum done, the chats and Wiki are next on our agenda. Both of these undertakings present their own set of challenges, hence may take some time to complete. If any of you wish to volunteer your time, especially with regards to improving the Wiki, then please let me know in the comments section below or the forum. Thanks!
Last month I began with (and spent most time on) the Pinebook Pro, so it’s just fair that I open this month’s update with the PinePhone news section. A lot has happened in the short period of one month, so the best I can do is to try to summarize the most important aspects pertaining to hardware and software progress. I’ll pay more attention to hardware developments in this post, simply because I am not competent in providing an up-to-date report on every projects’ software status (you can reach all the devs in the chat and follow the progress live using the chat log if you wish to stay up-to-date). For what it’s worth, I am happy to give you a short resume of my experience with the few OS images I’ve tested at the end of this section.
Let’s start with the end-user PinePhone developments. With the case selected and approved, the phone’s PCB was commissioned a couple of weeks ago and submitted to the design house with detailed instructions on the required feature set. The first of the things we settled on was the battery capacity and physical dimensions; the battery will be the same capacity as the Samsung J7 SM-J700H/ BJ700BU (3000-3400 mAh), which can be had for under $10 from amazon and eBay. So in the event you need replacement or spare batteries, getting hold of them will be easy and affordable. We also settled on the number, and the implementation of, privacy switches on the phone – there will be 4 switches in total: for the i) BT/Wifi module, ii) the modem, iii) cameras (front/back) and iv) lastly for the microphone. They will be located on the PCB, under the back-cover, to prevent them from being toggled by accident, e.g. in your pocket or purse.
After a chat with developers, we also came up with a way to expose I2C using 6 pogo pins. These pogo pins will be located directly on the PCB. The idea behind this implementation is that entire back-covers with add-on components can be created (even 3D-printed) with additional functionality to enrich the phone’s functionality. The implementation only requires that the custom back-cover with additional hardware has the same dimensions and position of plastic latches as the original – and obviously that the component in question uses I2C (contact pads). I expect that a back-cover with a keyboard – perhaps one similar to that found on the Nokia N900 – will be something a considerable number of people may be interested in creating. To this end, we’ll make sure to have detailed documentation on this feature. I really hope that the hackers and tinkerers among you will embrace and make use of I2C for new cool implementations.
Mainboard Front
Mainboard PCB Back
Slaveboard PCB
Rounding off the hardware-side of things – I don’t want to jinx it, but as you can probably tell from what I’ve already written, the PinePhone project is coming together really nicely. As things stand today, we expect a fully functional prototype in August. Once we have the prototype, it will then have to undergo functionality and durability testing before production of a pilot batch can commence. More on this in future updates. I’ll also note that the final dev kit (2.0), which incorporates fixes for all the issues found in dev kits 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 as well as alignes all functionality (e.g. HDMI out via USB-C) with the production PinePhone, will be produced at the same time as the prototype.
Things are also progressing well on the software-front. The core phone functionality – calling and sending messages – has now been enabled in a number of OS’. It took a little while to get the mobile networking working due to an error with SIM slot wiring on dev kits 1.1 and 1.2; that has now been fixed using an adapter, and the aforementioned dev kit 2.0 will no longer require the adapter. I’ve tried PostmarketOS (Plasma mobile / XFCE / Weston demos), Maemo Leste and LuneOS in recent weeks and they’ve all made significant progress in a very short amount of time. The functionality highlights for each OS differ – which makes for interesting testing of these early OS images. For instance, Maemo Leste has messaging etc., enabled, while PostmarketOS has managed to get the camera working (Martijn from PMOS even ran a ~2hrs stream live from the dev kit), and LuneOS offers an extremely smooth UI experience with many applications working, including browsing the web. Morover, all sensors and even the speakers now work too, so things are really comming together at a rapid pace. As I’ve already mentioned in the May news update, developers from all the different OS’ work together, and so all the newly enabled functionality quickly finds its way into all OS images. I am still waiting to try a number of the OS’, including Ubuntu Touch and Sailfish OS; once I get my hands on these builds I’ll make sure to record a compilation demo, showcasing functionality and performance.
We listen to your feedback and take it to heart. For those of you who have not read my edit to last month’s post: there will be both an ISO and ANSI keyboard available for the Pinebook Pro. I do not have more information about when the ANSI keyboard will be available at this time – but I am getting an evaluation unit with the ANSI keyboard soon – I’ll edit this update accordingly to let you all know how I find this candidate keyboard. Wrapping up the keyboard discussion, I’d just like to make it clear – the first Pinebook Pro batches will most likely only ship with the ISO keyboard. Let me also address all those of you who are asking about regionalised layouts – there is currently no plan to support any other layouts except for standard ISO and ANSI.
ANSI and ISO Keyboard Variants
The choice of keyboards isn’t the only update to the Pinebook Pro since its announcement. In fact, there are some really awesome features coming that we haven’t talked about yet – largely since they need to be properly tested first – which I expect to discuss in next month’s update. I think many of you will be thrilled. That said, there are another two small updates to the Pinebook Pro that deserve some spotlight too. The first of these is that Pinebook Pro has been upgraded with a BT/WiFi module that supports Bluetooth to 5.0 (vs announced BT 4.1) and secondly we’ve asked for improvements to the firmware of the trackpad. As with many things in life, the devil is in the details, and on a laptop that means the input methods, which really makes or breaks the experience. The trackpad on the current prototypes is already very solid, but we are talking to the hardware vendor to further improve precision and reduce accidental inputs of the trackpad. Lastly, we decided not to have any branding on the Pinebook Pro, since it seems this is what users prefer. So you get to decorate it yourself using stickers or keep it smooth and black – up to you.
I also have good news for all developers hoping to get their hands on the Pinebook Pro. If the aforementioned Pinebook Pro unit I’ll be receiving soon addresses all, or at least most, of my initial feedback I submitted to TL to be forwarded to the factory, then the manufacturing process for a developers batch will start shortly. This means that by the time end-users get their hands on the Pinebook Pro there will be a number of Linux, and possibly even *BSD, options to choose from.
Speaking of software, I am also happy to say that the state of software tailored for the Pinebook Pro is already superb. The last major outstanding issue with the Linux test builds (PCIe locking up in desktop use) has been resolved as of May 27th and all other features required for laptop functionality now work. Just for the sake of diligence, let me list some of the key components for desktop use that ayufan and mrfixit2001 got working in their builds over the past few months: BT/WiFi; PCIe (M.2) ; LCD panel including brightness ; suspend/ resume from suspend ; sound (speakers+headphone jack) ; USB-C (data, charging + video out) ; accelerated desktop (xorg glamor or armsoc) ; 4K video acceleration of local media ; 3D and video acceleration in browser (including: webgl 2.0 & widevine) ; support for a number of peripherals. More info on the respective builds can be found here and here.
Many of you have been asking about Pinebook Pro availability and when pre-orders will start. The answer is “this summer”, as we still need to evaluate the pre-production units for fit-and-finish and functionality. I trust you can appreciate that this is an important step and cannot be rushed. If it turns out that everything is OK with these units, then right after the pilot batch for developers regular production will start. Regarding when and how you find out about the Pinebook Pro pre-orders – chat and forum members will be alerted slightly ahead of time since we want our core users to get a small heads-up. Then we’ll send out notifications via social media (Twitter and Mastodon) and make an announcement on the website. This will likely be picked up by relevant media outlets too. In the future, there will be a newsletter sign-up that will alert you to new Pinebook Pro batches being available.
Here is a peek under the hood of the pre-production (post-prototype) Pinebook Pro
I know that the PineTab news are well overdue, but once you’re done reading this section I hope you’ll agree that the wait well worth it. Long story short, the delay in PineTab production was due to us being unsatisfied with the digitizer panel; this has now been sorted and evaluation units of the tablet are now being built.
This delay was, however, not a waste of time. The extra time gave us space to think and consider what else can be improved on, and added to, the current design. We ran a poll some time back asking about the desired storage capacity for the PineTab, and the majority of users showed a strong preference for increasing the eMMC storage capacity to 64GB. After some considerations, we decided to honour the community vote and we’ll be including this larger eMMC with the PineTab.
We have also decided to include an option for a M.2 adapter on the PineTab. This will allow a number of expansion options that users and developers can explore – the most obvious applications being LTE and storage, but I am sure that you can think of other ones too. We hope that you’ll agree that the time it took us to bring the PineTab to fruition, since its announcement earlier this year at FOSDEM 19, has not been wasted despite the delay in selecting a suitable digitizer panel.
Granted we’ll be happy with pre-production units delivered to us and developers, then you can expect the PineTab to be available late this summer. More information on the PineTab and its new pricing will follow soon.
As I’ve already written in the May update, SBCs are and will remain PINE64’s bread-and-butter. They will always be the basis for any new devices – such as laptops or phones – that PINE64 will develop. It’s a part of us striving for software compatibility between the different types of hardware, reducing the workload of developers porting their OS’ to a new devices. To this end, I’d like to assure everyone that new (and exciting) boards will be coming in the future. It is too soon to talk about these boards however, since some of them are in concept or layout stages whilst others are still in our heads. What I will say, however, is that one field we wish to explore is AI, and we hope to bring both AI-focused boards and modules to the Pine Store in the future.
That’s it for this month’s update, chat away below or on the forum / in the chats.
45 responses to “June 2019 News: PinePhone, Pinebook Pro and PineTab”
I’d be very happy if my mobile phone could be a pinephone ! eelo might be a potential interesting OS though https://e.foundation/ !
I wish SOMEONE would get motivated and MAKE THIS HAPPEN !
I’m soooo tired of vapor-ware.
So many people are waiting with money-in-hand for your products !
Anyone remember MJ Technology’s x86 tablet? It came and went… but, at least it was real !
Not sure what you’re referring to? its happening, and the roadmap is pretty clear …
Lukasz, thank you so much for this update, it really sounds exciting.
Personally I have used a Linux laptop for many years (Ubuntu) but recently (3 years ago) bought a chromebook which is excellent. I also have an Android phone.
However I find the direction Google is heading, in its search engine and social media policies, to be quite concerning and I would guess many people would look to an alternative – not easy when one adds in the Android phone as well.
I am very interested in your project and wish it well.
Thanks! If you like your Chromebook then I’ve got some good news for you – looks like ayufan got Chromium OS working on the pre-production unit yesterday, and he seemed positively thrilled with how it worked; quote from chat:
wooow, this works super fast
there are some graphic glitches, but it works very nice 🙂
As for the PinePhone, it seems to me like it is a project that can, in a sense, accelerate linux-on-phone development and make it a viable option for non-enthusiats. And then there are also other Linux Phone projects of course, which is great and exciting too, so there is hope that all these different developments can actually make a difference in the long-run.
A będzie obsługa języka polskiego?
Pinetab with an LTE option- Now that i find exciting!
What i also would find exciting is an 8″ model with LTE option, or a hardware kit that gives you the option to build your own tab with a choice of screen size options – all based on the same hardware. Any possibility of that?
Patently waiting.
I need to overcome the Linux learning curve
to regain my programing skills from decades
ago.. What I need is an ordered list of the
files accessed on start up for all 3 products.
What use to be called BIOS.
Thank you for going with the larger eMMC on the PineTab! I really think it may make the it a much more flexible device. Definitely worth paying more for (for me at least). The M.2 option is also intriguing.
Still waiting on answer–
Is it rue that the Pinebook Pro will *not* have an Ethernet Port?
If the answer is “Yes, it will NOT”, then the next question becomes,
“Since Ethernet is vital to a lot of people, and since that capability exists on the Pinebook Pro’s mainboard, do you ever have plans to implement an Ethernet Port on the Pinebook Pro?”
There won’t be an Ethernet port on the Pinebook Pro and there are no plans to add it in future itterations. A USB 3.0 or USB-C to Ethernet (GbE) adapter will however be available in the store at some point.
“…A USB 3.0 or USB-C to Ethernet (GbE) adapter will however be available in the store at some point.”–Lukasz Erecinski
Thank you very much for taking the time to clarify this point, and for ALL the very hard work you do.
This is one “dynamite” machine, and I simply find it very hard awaiting its arrival.
You are making the Linux Laptop ‘space’ fun again! Indeed, you may be *the* reason for a renascence of the interest in Linux-on-the-laptop. The current state of affairs–“roll the dice” and buy a laptop, hoping that with all the road-blocks Microsoft has thrown up (to installing another operating system), you will succeed with installing Linux–has taken all the fun away.
All the best, and
Warmest regards…
What about a keyboard with no marking at all.
Lets call it the imagination keyboard
Hi Lukasz,
I can’t wait till the Pinebook Pro is available. My work laptop is the only thing in the house running windows (necessary evil), 2 Chromebooks (needed for kids for school) and 3 other laptops running MX18, Mint and Manjaro. Everyone at home is comfortable with Linux, unfortunately the convenience of the Google eco system has sucked us in, need to resist! Will definitely be looking at getting 2 Pinebook Pros at least… hope the wait is not too long 🙂
Great Stuff! Thanks for the update.
Kevin
The PB Pro could be the laptop to get kids hooked on Linux 🙂 Inexpensive and durable enough for you not to worry about them using it but at the same time on-par fast with their Chromebooks (also, higher res/ ISP – better for the eyes). I assume you can mostly do everything in Chromium on a regular laptop that you can do on a Chromebook (minus Android apps)?
Yes Chromium works, the key for school is to have access to Google drive for group projects and assignments. Android apps are a nice to have right now. With the price of the Pinebook Pro, it’s a no-brainer.
Amazing luke , new video coming out this month? if yes would be nice to add some multitasking (example 5 browser windows at same time and maybe an visualcode IDE that works with arm or something like that too see where it stands!)
where would the NVME expander go in that case? would you provide a screw position or something like that?
last question: whats its expected weight?
Traveling and on limited LTE mobile internet. Worse yet, my pre-production unit is stuck in customs. So if I upload a movie – it will be short.
As for the NVMe adapter, it goes onto the stand-offs in the palm-rest area. I haven’t actually seen it yet myself – so curious too how exactly it will work.
Get the PineBookPro running with all devices supported on FreeBSD12 and they might well be top sellers. The FreeBSD community has been screaming out for a decent supported laptop for years. If it has a A73+ ARM architecture basis, decent battery life and an M2 slot for a fast HDD then you can take my money right now!
We will see how far *BSDs will get with the PB Pro in such a short time – think that features such as LCD, WiFi/BT, Suspend may take some time to get implemented … a good couple of months even.
I had an N900 for years (10?) until the USB connection finally could not be babied into functioning. So I gave up and got an iphone. Words don’t exist to describe how much I hate it, and by all accounts, they (Apple) are less intrusive that the GOOG. I mean, Christ on a bicycle in a pancake hat, I can’t even put a ringtone on that thing without also donating it to itunes!
So I’m waiting like a toddler for Christmas for the arrival of the Pinephone! I want to put money down for it! I want to be in line! Really. I cannot wait.
Where can I sign up for a PinePhone? Would love to get my hands on a few of those.
Just stay touned – you’ll know when the first PinePhone batch is ready, don’t worry 🙂 First step – evaluation of the prototype in August.
Ha damn, I can’t wait to buy the Pinebook Pro but the ISO keyboard is a no no for me (especially for programming). It will be hard seeing all the ISO buyers receiving their laptops but having to wait even longer for my AINSI one.
We really hope to have a viable ANSI candidate keyboard soon – so hopefully you won’t have to wait too long for your turn to own a PB Pro 🙂
Seconded!
I am not really concerned with a particular OS being available *initially* on the Pinebook Pro, as I’m certain that there will be no problem installing an OS which has been validated later. BUT…
what is your best estimate as to which operating system–or systems–will be available on the PB Pro initially?
Warmest regards…
On day one, I’m guessing: Custom Debian (probably pre-installed), Ubuntu Mate, Ubuntu with LXDE and Chromium OS. I am guessing that in the launch window – within a few weeks of launch / before most end-users get their units: Manjaro KDE, KDE Neon and Armbian.
I applaud your choice to go with what the community wants.
However I for one am someone who would want to have some sort of branding on a device (PineBook Pro) I think it would help with the ‘word of mouth’ that a product like this will inevitably have. Would there be any official Sticker Packs/Case badges included or even made available in the Website? Branding is a big thing these days.
We will include stickers with the Pinebook Pro, no worries. I feel that its better to build a reputation based on what the majority of people want rather than doing what seems to make advertising sense. On the flipside – you’ll get people asking ‘hey, whats that laptop you’re running distro X on?’ since they won’t be able to identify it. That will force you into a conersation about the Pinebook Pro, which is probably an equally good advertisement as slapping a PINE64 logo on it 🙂 Just my take on the subject matter.
Hey Lukasz and team,
Have any idea whether the Pinephone will be capable of running on Canadian telecom networks? If so, know which are compatible? I definitely want one..
Do you folks ship to Canada often?
PinePhone modem does support GSM 1900MHz and most LTE bands in Canada: 4,7,12,13. That said, best you join one of the chats and ask in #pinephone to get an answer from folks with technical knowledge (not me).
And yes, we ship to Canada very frequently.
Lukasz , we havent seen any video or photo from the tab yet ! please a video ;:)
Haven’t seen them myself! I’ll try to make a video for the next update …
Does the Pinebook Pro use the ROCKPro64 SBC?
What is the clock frequency of the RK3399 used in the two different systems?
Same SOC as the RPro64. The Core freq on A72 cores is 2.0ghz and 1.8 ghz, and the A53 cores are clocked at 1.6 and 1.5ghz respectively for the two builds.
Will the USB-C Port on the Pinephone be USB-3.1 Gen1 or Gen2 making it compatible with thunderbolt 3.0 devices like LAPTOP DOCKS???!?!? (unable to contain excitement, if so)
If not then there are always those i2c pins… Might get hacking soon.
It will be USB 2.0 with an alt HDMI mode.
Wanting a PinePhone while stuck in the “Wild West” of United States cell-carrier Balkanization, I’ve been trying to find out:
Which US-based phone networks will the PinePhone work with? Only AT&T and T-Mobile? (Or will the “LTE” cover Verizon and/or Sprint frequencies as well?)
I would like to know this as well. I am using google fi (sprint+tmobile) and would like to make sure it will work with both carriers.
I never got a formal answer, but I remember seeing a post somewhere elsewhere that implied it’d be pretty universal and should work on any of the major US carrier’s networks, thankfully!
Though for the record, I want a pinephone whether its carrier support is limited or not, I mostly wanted to know which carriers I might need to consider switching to.
@Łukasz dobrze prawisz
Tablet will be great. One small idea. Ethernet (normal or on usb) and 20h on text 10″ mode.
Nothing more 😉
To everyone answering about carriers and bands, I suggest taking a look at the first post on UBPorts forum: https://forums.ubports.com/topic/2403/pinephone
[…] Pine64 has posted some more details about the current status of the PinePhone […]
Dear Pine64-Team. Could you please reduce the usage of Google and other Third Party links on your website.
There are many people who care about their privacy and it would be a very good and positive sign if your website matches the privacy-mind of your product.
Ideally there would be no tracking at all. It would even make your website load much faster for the visitors and use less bandwidth! If you need user statistics you could use a very simple PHP logging script, or use an open source software like Matomo.
See here for example:
https://webbkoll.dataskydd.net/en/results?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pine64.org#requests