The Raspberry Pi has been hugely successful due to its ease of use, affordability, and adaptable nature, but there’s a new rival to the mini-computer that’s causing somewhat of a buzz.
The VoCore2 is an open-source Linux computer and fully-functional wireless router that happens to be smaller than a coin.
The Indiegogo campaign for the device has already received 917% of its funding goal, starting with a goal of $6,000 and racking up $55,009 at the time of writing.
Related: Raspberry Pi 3 review
The mini computer can also be used as a VPN gateway for a network, as an AirPlay station for playing back lossless music, or as your own private cloud server.
As the page explains: “It has 300Mbps WIFI, ETHERNET, USB 2.0 Host, UART, SD, SPI, I2C, 40+ GPIOs but size is only one square inch(25.4mm).
“You can use it as a portable router or write code for it in C, Java, Python, Ruby, Javascript and more. It has various of docks and thousands of softwares to enhance its functions.”
It comes in two versions, with the ‘Lite’ model, which features ‘the cheapest and smallest IoT board in the world, based on MT7688AN’, starting at just $4, while the standard version is going for $12.
The standard version of the device measures 25.4mm x 25.4mm (one square inch) and comes with 16MB flash, 128MB memory, and wireless full speed up to 300Mbps.
Related: Best Raspberry Pi projects
If you opt for the cheaper Lite version, you’ll get the same dimensions with 64MB of DDR2 RAM, 8MB of NOR storage, and a single antenna slot for Wi-Fi that supports 150Mbps.
Thanks to the low power consumption of 74mA on standby and 230mA at full power, the device can be powered by a small 9800mAh battery pack for more than four days.
Qin Wei, who’s behind the project, is also offering an extra dock for the computer that adds a headphone jack, USB 2.0 connection, and microSD card slot to the mix.
The VoCore2 certainly looks impressive, and it’s even cheaper than the Raspberry Pi, making it a real rival to the popular micro computer.
If you’re intrigued by the device, head over to the Indiegogo page and get pledging!
WATCH: Raspberry Pi 3 vs Pi 2
Let us know what you think of the VoCore2 in the comments.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
