[Community] +++ last and final production batch GTA04A5 can be ordered now +++

Fri Nov 27 19:50:21 CET 2015

Hi,

will GTA04A5 have 512 MB or 1GB of RAM?
In shop, there is 512 MB stated, but on order tracking, there is a
message:

"3. good news: we participated in the risk buy of Samsung 1GB RAM+512MB
NAND chips (as planned for the Neo900). So you will get 1 GB RAM and
faster NAND! Twice as much RAM as the GTA04A4 has. It has already been
tested by reworking a BeagleBoard XM and modifying the OS."

So, what amount of RAM will be soldered as PoP package?

Thanks
Pavel

H. Nikolaus Schaller píše v Čt 26. 11. 2015 v 18:35 +0100:
> Hi,
> waiting time is over. The GTA04 will be available again for a limited period!
> 
> We are happy to announce that we have organized everything to start preparation
> of production next week (which means finally sourcing the remaining components, PCBs
> and preparing everything else).
> 
> And, we have now been able to calculate a price that covers all cost (don't forget that
> this project has no sponsor or investor who is willing to cover big losses).
> 
> For those who are already eagerly waiting, here is the link to the shop:
> 
> 	<http://shop.goldelico.com/wiki.php?page=GTA04>
> 
> For all others here a full and lengthy description:
> 
> === Products ===
> 
> GTA04A5:	the new motherboards
> 
> GTA04A4:	while preparing the GTA04A5 project we have found
> 			a box with a handful fresh and unused GTA04A4 boards.
> 			Most likely they were put aside for warranty handling and
> 			then forgotten (because there weren't many warranty
> 			cases). They are fully tested and working and immediately
> 			available.
> 
> Letux 2804	we have collected a handful of used Neo Freerunner devices
> 			where we can replace the motherboard and thanks to Ch. Pulster
> 			we also got ~40 sets of plastic parts to build new Freerunner
> 			cases. We also have enough spare displays so that we can
> 			build "virtually new" devices from them.
> 
> Camera modules:	unfortunately we have not found a supplier of a 100%
> 			compatible module. We did get some samples of more or less
> 			similar looking ones from China but none works.
> 
> === Quantities ===
> 
> The quantities are really limited to 80-100 in total. The reason is that it
> becomes almost impossible to source all components and for some of
> them we can't get good replacements. Some others have been in stock
> for a handful of years and may have weakened. The other important
> limitation is availability of plastic cases or parts.
> 
> This means, we will produce ~100 GTA04A5 boards and expect to build
> ~40 Letux 2804 complete devices and provide ~40 more GTA04A5 boards
> which you can install in your existing Neo Freerunner.
> 
> Yes, this will definitively be the last chance to get a GTA04. We will not
> be able to build more units. Even if you offer to pay twice the price.
> 
> Well, if demand is high enough and someone finds a good strategy
> how to compete with the cheap (but yery closed) ~79 € devices with
> Android inside, we could develop a GTA05 :)
> 
> === I did a preorder for a GTA04A5 a while ago ===
> 
> We have recorded it and updated your order for a GTA04A5 board
> 
> if your preorder was 100€ or more, i.e. counts as a reservation, we
> have reserved a GTA04A5 for you (from the ~40). You will get a
> personal "update" mail.
> 
> If you want to switch to a GTA04A4 or Letux 2804 please contact our
> shop and we can change it.
> 
> Since the preorders/vouchers usually do not cover the final price of
> a GTA04 or Letux 2804, there is an open balance which you can pay
> by SEPA/IBAN bank transfer. Using Credit card is also possible but
> needs a trick in our shop software so that you please contact us and
> we will prepare a CC field for you.
> 
> === Price ===
> 
> Oops, why is it so expensive.
> 
> Yes, that is the price we have from being in a niche and in need of something
> very exceptional to play with.
> 
> But if you look at the original preorder page, we were even able to reduce
> the price below estimates: http://shop.goldelico.com/wiki.php?page=GTA04A5
> 
> How does this magic work? The main reason is that we have some common
> components and suppliers with the Pyra <www.pyra-handheld.com> and use
> the same production company. They are better in reducing cost than the
> company who did build the GTA04A3 and GTA04A4.
> 
> You might still doubt and think that we want to rip you off. Therefore I have
> decided to publish a coarse calculation (always for 1 unit):
> 
> a) GTA04A5
> 
>  280€		Component cost
> +63€		Production cost
> +52€		HW Development&Project management
> +50€		Software maintenance funds (see below)
> ===
>  445 €
> +85 €		German sales tax (19%)
> ===
>  529 €		price for GTA04A5
> 
> b) Letux 2804
> 
>  445 €		GTA04A5
> +45 €		components for plastics case
> +94 €		display, battery, box, assembly (time)
> ===
>  584 €
> +111 €		German sales tax (19%)
> ===
>  695 €		price for Letux 2804
> 
> We are not getting rich. But we do something for open source and this community.
> 
> === Software ===
> 
> First of all we already have a lot of software available:
> * boot system
> * kernel 3.7, kernel 3.12, ongoing kernel 4.3, 4.4-rc2 and later
> * Debian Wheezy / Jessie images (X11 w/o or with LXDE, XFCE or whatever you apt-get install)
> * Replicant for GTA04 with access to the F-Droid App-Store
> * QtMoko (may not run 100% on GTA04A5 because it needs adjustments)
> * whatever you like to install
> 
> But we know from experience that especially the kernel is a very crucial component
> and if the kernel is buggy and does not get fixes and updates it can easily make the
> device practically unusable with sufficient reliability and operation time from battery.
> 
> Therefore we have added a software development funds in the price.
> 
> With this money we want to continue to work on kernel improvements, especially
> power management, and fixing significant bugs.
> 
> Our ultimate goal is that this list becomes empty: <http://projects.goldelico.com/p/gta04-kernel/issues/>
> And remains empty because everything for the GTA04 can be found at kernel.org
> 
> This is tough work and is not possible to get done by pure volunteers. Volunteers cherry-pick
> what they see the biggest fun and are happy if it works for them. They usually do not
> do the less funny bug fixes. Especially if they need a lot of tedious work (compile, test,
> fix cycle) or review by kernel maintainers is involved.
> 
> Therefore we think it is the best way that you as the users of the hardware (and software)
> pay a little amount that we can use to hire freelancers and tell them what has to be fixed asap.
> 
> Nevertheless, volunteer contributions are also very welcome.
> 
> === Timing ===
> 
> The shop has opened now and you can place your orders now.
> 
> Production is expected to need 6-8 weeks but depends a little on delivery
> times of components and PCB production. And of course there are quite some
> upcoming holidays (X-Mas in 4 weeks, N-Y in 5 weeks, Chinese N-Y beinning of Feb).
> 
> And, we have to test the devices and if anything is not working as expected, we have
> to repair. So please do not expect that we can ship before end of Feb 2016.
> 
> === New Features ===
>  
> The new features of the GTA04A5 (compared to GTA04A4) are mainly:
> * WL183x WLAN+BT module with 802.11a/b/g/n and BT4/BLE
> * the GPS receiver can provide a 1 second impulse interrupt to the CPU
> * the (different) infrared receiver can be independently powered off to save some more mA (it was alternatively powered with RS232 before) 
> * some sensors have been upgraded to non-obsolete versions (e.g. BMA180 is out of production)
> * WLAN/BT power controlled through a GPIO (so that VAUX4 is now free for other use)
> * 10-pin FFC connector for external keyboard or other I2C devices
> * the GPS antenna switch has been redesigned to switch more reliable
> * improved headset detection hardware (GPIO instead of ADC)
> * CPU will be always 1 GHz and Memory 512MB RAM / 1GB NAND
> 
> We will update the GTA04 manual to describe everything. Final Schematics will
> also become available (this time as searchable PDF).
> 
> So again here is the link to the shop:	<http://shop.goldelico.com/wiki.php?page=GTA04>
> 
> Thats it. Did I forget anything important? If yes, please ask.
> 
> Finally, I would like to say thank you for your patience with this long-running project.
> 
> BR,
> Nikolaus
> 
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