Pine64#Tablets
{{short description|Computer hardware company specializing in ARM-based devices}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Pine Store Limited
| logo = File:Pine64 logo.svg
| logo_size = 80px
| logo_caption =
| logo_alt =
| trade_name = Pine64
| former_name = Pine Microsystems Inc.
| type = Private
| industry = {{Unbulleted list | Computer hardware | Consumer electronics }}
| founded = {{Start date and age|2015|10}} in Fremont, California, United States
| founder = {{Unbulleted list | TL Lim || Johnson Jeng}}
| hq_location_city = Hong Kong
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = TL Lim {{small|(CEO)}}
| products = *PinePhone
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| website = {{URL|pine64.org}}
}}
Pine Store Limited, doing business as Pine64 (styled as PINE64), is a Hong Kong-based organization that designs, manufactures, and sells single-board computers, notebook computers, as well as smartwatch/smartphones. Its name was inspired by the mathematical constants {{Pi}} and e (mathematical constant) with a reference to 64-bit computing power.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015-12-09-pine-a64-64-bit-4k-maker-board.html |title=PINE A64 is a $15, 'high-performance' take on the Raspberry Pi |author=Brian, M. |publisher=Engadget |date=December 9, 2015 |access-date=May 4, 2021}}
History
Pine64 initially operated in Fremont, California, as Pine Microsystems Inc. It was founded by TL Lim, the inventor of the PopBox and Popcorn Hour series of media players sold under the Syabas and Cloud Media brands.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cloudmedia.com/?page_id=564|title=About Us – Cloud Media|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-27|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716132437/https://www.cloudmedia.com/?page_id=564|url-status=dead}}
In 2015, Pine Microsystems offered its first product, the Pine A64, a single-board computer designed to compete with the popular Raspberry Pi in both power and price. The A64 was first funded through a Kickstarter crowdfunding drive in December 2015 which raised over US$1.7 million.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/21/the-pine-a64-is-a-15-pc-with-endless-possibilities/|title=The Pine A64 Is A $15 PC With Endless Possibilities|last=Matney|first=Lucas|date=2016-01-21|website=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-08-13}} The Kickstarter project was overshadowed by delays and shipping problems.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3044166/the-15-pine-64-a-raspberry-pi-3-competitor-finally-ships.html|title=Meet the Raspberry Pi's new rival: The $15 Pine 64 finally ships with 4K video support|last=Shah|first=Agam|date=2016-03-15|access-date=2017-08-13|publisher=PCWorld}} The original Kickstarter page referred to Pine64 Inc. based in Delaware,{{Cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_de/5854755|title=PINE 64 INC., file number 5854755|access-date=2020-04-26}} but all devices for the Kickstarter campaign were manufactured and sold by Pine Microsystems Inc. based in Fremont, California.{{Cite web|url=https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=03928399-21074167|title=Filing for Pine Microsystems, State of California|access-date=2019-07-27}}
In January 2020, Pine Microsystems Inc. was dissolved,{{Cite web|url=https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=03928399-27737032|title=Certificate of Dissolution|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-26}} while Pine Store Limited was incorporated on December 5, 2019, in Hong Kong.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cr.gov.hk/docs/wrpt/RNC063_2019.12.02-2019.12.08.pdf|title=Pine Store Limited, filing number 2899554.|language=zh-CN|access-date=2020-04-26}} As of late 2020, the standard form contract of pine64.com binds all orders to the laws of Malaysia,[https://pine64.com/terms-of-use/?v=0446c16e2e66 Terms of Use] while the products are shipped from warehouses in Shenzhen, China and Hong Kong.
Devices
After the initial Kickstarter orders for the Pine A64 single-board computers, the company went on to make more devices.
= Single-board computers =
The original Pine A64 boards released in 2016 are powered by the Allwinner A64 system-on-chip. It features a 1.2 GHz Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 64-Bit Processor, an ARM Mali 400 MP2 graphics processor unit, one HDMI 1.4a port, one MicroSD slot, two USB 2.0 ports and a 100 Megabit Ethernet port. The A64 board has only 512 megabytes of RAM, the 1 GiB and 2 GiB versions are labeled "Pine A64+".{{Cite web|url=https://store.pine64.org/?product=pine-a64-board|title=PINE A64 512MB BOARD – PINE Store|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-27|archive-date=November 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115014318/https://store.pine64.org/?product=pine-a64-board|url-status=dead}} While the 512 MiB model only works with Arch Linux and Debian GNU/Linux distributions, such as Armbian or DietPi,{{cite web|url=https://dietpi.com/docs/hardware/#pine64|title=Supported Hardware - DietPi.com Docs|access-date=2021-11-22}} the A64+ with more memory can also run other operating systems including Android, Remix OS, Windows 10,{{Cite web | url=https://catalog.azureiotsuite.com/details?title=Allwinner_Technology_Pine64 | title=Microsoft Azure IoT Device Catalog | publisher=Microsoft Azure | date=2016-10-16 | access-date=2017-08-13}} FreeBSD,{{Cite web | url=https://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-arm/2017-February/015714.html | title=FreeBSD on Pine64 experience | first=Milan | last=Obuch | date=2017-02-20 | access-date=2017-08-13}} and Ubuntu.{{Cite web | url=https://www.linux.com/news/build-20-computer-pine64 | title=Build a $20 Computer with PINE64 | first=Swapnil | last=Bhartiya | date=2016-08-09 | website=Linux.com | access-date=2017-08-13}} Optional eMMC storage modules can be plugged into special headers on the board.
A compute module called SOPINE A64 was introduced in January 2017. It features the same system-on-chip as the Pine A64, but mounted on a DDR3 SODIMM form factor board without the USB, HDMI, and Ethernet connectors.{{Cite web|url=https://store.pine64.org/?product=sopine-a64|title=SOPINE A64 COMPUTE MODULE – PINE Store|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-27|archive-date=November 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115014313/https://store.pine64.org/?product=sopine-a64|url-status=dead}} It competes with the Raspberry Pi Compute Modules. Pine64 sells a "Clusterboard" with an inbuilt eight-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, which can be used to build a cluster system out of up to seven SOPINE modules.{{Cite web|url=https://store.pine64.org/?product=clusterboard-with-7-sopine-compute-module-slots|title=CLUSTERBOARD with 7 SOPine compute module slots – PINE Store|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-27}} A review by Hackaday noted problems with production quality, software, and user support.{{cite news|last1=Benchoff|first1=Brian|title=PINE64: THE UN-REVIEW|url=https://hackaday.com/2016/04/21/pine64-the-un-review/|access-date=28 December 2017|publisher=Hackaday|date=21 April 2016}} 2017 also saw the addition of a "Long Term Supply" (LTS) version of the Pine A64/A64+ boards, called "Pine A64/A64(+)- LTS". The LTS versions are identical to the A64/A64+, but are guaranteed to be available until the year 2022 at a slightly higher cost.{{Cite web|url=https://store.pine64.org/?product=pine-a64-lts|title=PINE A64-LTS – PINE Store|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-27}}
In July 2017, the company added a new line of single-board computers based on Rockchip SoCs. The ROCK64 features a Rockchip RK3328 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 64-bit processor; a Mali-450MP2 GPU capable of playing 4K HDR videos; one, two, or four gigabytes of RAM; two USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 ports; one HDMI 2.0 port; a Gigabit Ethernet port; a microSD slot and several other peripheral ports.{{Cite web|url=https://store.pine64.org/?product=rock64-media-board-computer|title=ROCK64 SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER – PINE Store|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-27|archive-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723065429/https://store.pine64.org/?product=rock64-media-board-computer|url-status=dead}} Its larger brother, the ROCKPro64, is based on a Rockchip RK3399 Hexa-Core (dual ARM Cortex-A72 and quad ARM Cortex A53) 64-Bit Processor instead. It features a Mali T-860 Quad-Core GPU and, in addition to the standard USB, Ethernet, HDMI, and MicroSD ports, also has an eDP interface and an open-ended PCI Express x4 slot. An optional PCI Express to Dual SATA-II adapter and an optional Wi-Fi module are offered by Pine64{{Cite web|url=https://store.pine64.org/?product=rockpro64-2gb-single-board-computer|title=ROCKPro64 2GB Single Board Computer – PINE Store|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-27}}
In 2019, a new Allwinner-based board was added as a direct competitor to the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+. The Pine H64 is based on the Allwinner H6 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 64-bit processor. It features a Mali T-722 GPU, two or three gigabytes of RAM, two USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI 2.0 port, onboard 802.11n Wi-Fi, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a microSD slot and several other peripheral ports.{{Cite web |url=https://store.pine64.org/?product=pine-h64-model-b-2gb-single-board-computer |title=PINE H64 "Model B"-2GB Single Board Computer – PINE Store |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-27}} The Star64 is Pine64's first RISC-V SBC, based on the StarFive JH7110 SoC, launched in September 2022.{{Cite web |title=PINE64 Shows Off the First Star64 RISC-V Single-Board Computer Prototypes, Targets a Launch in Weeks |url=https://www.hackster.io/news/pine64-shows-off-the-first-star64-risc-v-single-board-computer-prototypes-targets-a-launch-in-weeks-5d6983909a5d |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Hackster.io |language=en}}
= Notebook computers =
{{Main article|Pinebook}}
In November 2016, the Pinebook, a netbook built around an Allwinner A64 SoC with 2 GiB of RAM and a 16 GiB eMMC module, was announced. Pre-release comments in Make wrote that the A64's closest analog was two to three times the A64's price,{{cite web|url=https://makezine.com/2015/12/09/the-15-pine64-just-launched-on-kickstarter-and-its-already-funded/|title=The $15 PINE64 Just Launched on Kickstarter, and it's Already Funded|last=Scheltema|first=David|date=2015-12-09|publisher=Make|access-date=2017-08-13}} and that the A64 continued the Raspberry Pi's trend of breaking barriers for engineers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/meet-pine-a64-64-bit-quad-core-supercomputer-141831305.html|title=Meet Pine A64, a 64-bit quad-core supercomputer that costs just $15|last=Epstein|first=Zach|date=2015-12-09|work=BGR|access-date=2017-08-13}}
Production started in April 2017. The Pinebook can only be obtained via a build-to-order system, potential buyers have to wait weeks or even months for an order code which then has to be redeemed within 72 hours. The hardware is priced at $99, but due to a $30 shipping fee and country-dependent import duties and taxes, the final price is higher. The Pinebook was notably used by the KDE team to improve Plasma on ARM desktops.{{cite web | url=https://dot.kde.org/2018/08/22/kde-plasma-arm-laptop-pinebook | title=KDE Plasma on ARM Laptop Pinebook | first=Jonathan | last=Riddell | date=2018-08-22 | website=dot.kde.org}} In a review of the final hardware by Linux.com, the reviewer was surprised at his ability to have the full, albeit slow, Mate desktop environment at the A64's price. Phoronix's benchmarks indicated similar CPU performance to a Raspberry Pi 3.{{cite news|last1=Larabel|first1=Michael|title=Benchmarking The Low-Cost PINE 64+ ARM Single Board Computer|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=pine-64-benchmark|access-date=28 December 2017|publisher=Phoronix|date=26 December 2016}}
In July 2019, the company announced the PineBook Pro, a netbook based around the Rockchip RK3399 SoC which is also used in the ROCKPro64. The pre-order system went live on July 25, 2019. The device was priced at $199, though the final price after shipping and import duties and taxes was higher.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pine64.org/pinebook-pro/|title=PINEBOOK Pro|date=2019-04-05|website=Pine64|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-27}} On March 15, 2020, it was announced that the PineBook Pro will ship with Arch Linux based Manjaro Linux as the default operating system.{{Cite news|url=https://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=showheadline&story=10300|title=Manjaro to be the Pinebook Pro's default OS|date=16 March 2020|work=DistroWatch.com|access-date=24 April 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pine64.org/2020/03/15/march-update-manjaro-on-pinebook-pro-pinephone-software/|title=March Update: Manjaro on Pinebook Pro & PinePhone Software|website=Pine64|date=March 15, 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-24}}
= Smartphone =
{{main|PinePhone}}
{{see also|List of open-source mobile phones}}
{{As of|2019}}, Pine64 is working on a Linux smartphone, PinePhone, using a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 64-Bit System on a chip (SoC). The aim is for the phone to be compatible with any mainline Linux kernel and to "support existing and well established Linux-on-Phone projects", as a community-developed smartphone. After an initial BraveHeart release for early adopters in February 2020, the company continued releasing Community Editions that incrementally improve the design. The community support has been excellent, with 17 different OSes released for the device.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.pine64.org/index.php?title=PinePhone_Software_Releases|title=PinePhone_Software_Releases|website=Pine64 Wiki|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-24}} In October 2021, the company announced the PinePhone Pro based on a binned RK3399 SoC with additional RAM and MMC storage, as well as higher resolution cameras.{{Cite web|title=PinePhone Pro|url=https://www.pine64.org/pinephonepro/|access-date=2021-10-18|website=PINE64|language=en-US}}
= Tablets =
In May 2020, Pine64 announced the PineTab tablet, with an optional detachable backlit keyboard.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pine64.org/2020/05/15/may-update-pinetab-pre-orders-pinephone-qi-charging-more/|title=May Update: PineTab pre-orders, PinePhone Qi charging & more|website=Pine64|date=May 15, 2020 }} It is a 10" tablet based on the same technology as the PinePhone, but without the modem and kill switches of that model. In August 2021, the company announced the PineNote. The PineNote is a 10" tablet with a Rockchip RK3566 and 4 GiB RAM, the same configuration used for the new Quartz64 SBCs. The tablet features a 227 DPI touchscreen Eink display panel that also includes a Wacom digitizer layer for stylus support.{{Cite web|title=PineNote|url=https://www.pine64.org/pinenote/|access-date=2021-10-18|website=PINE64|language=en-US}} In December 2022, Pine64 announced the PineTab 2,{{Cite web |last=Nestor |first=Marius |date=2022-12-15 |title=PINE64 Announces the PineTab2 Linux Tablet with Up to 8GB RAM and RK3566 SoC |url=https://9to5linux.com/pine64-announces-the-pinetab2-linux-tablet-with-up-to-8gb-ram-and-rk3566-soc |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=9to5Linux |language=en-US}} intended to be a successor to the original PineTab, which was heavily impacted by shipping delays and component shortages.{{Cite web |last=Proven |first=Liam |title=Pine64 takes another shot at an open tablet after chip shortages killed first PineTab |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/21/pine64_announces_new_open_tablet/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}
=Wearables=
In 2019, Pine64 announced that it was working on a smartwatch. Only being available for developers initially, Pine64 released the PineTime in 2021, aimed at the consumer market.{{Cite web |title=Pine64's $30 Linux Smartwatch Launches |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/pine64s-30-linux-smartwatch-launches |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=PCMAG |date=July 20, 2021 |language=en}} The PineTime display has a resolution of 240x240 with 65,536 colors. The device features 64 KiB of RAM, 512 KiB of flash storage, and 4 MiB of additional flash storage with Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy for connectivity. The watch is powered by the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52832 SoC, with a 64 MHz ARM Cortex-M4F processor.{{Cite web |last=By |date=2019-10-07 |title=Ask Hackaday: What's The Perfect Hacker Smart Watch? |url=https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/ask-hackaday-whats-the-perfect-hacker-smart-watch/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Hackaday |language=en-US}} The device was well received for its low cost to feature ratio.{{Cite web |author1=Alex Wawro |date=2023-10-14 |title=This smartwatch does everything I want from an Apple Watch for just $30 |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/this-smartwatch-does-everything-i-want-from-an-apple-watch-for-just-dollar30 |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Tom's Guide |language=en}} In early 2022, the company announced that it was working on a set of wireless earbuds.{{Cite web |last=Sneddon |first=Joey |date=2022-04-29 |title=PineBuds: Wireless Ear Buds Powered by Open Source |url=https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2022/04/pine64-open-source-pinebuds-wireless-ear-buds |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=OMG! Ubuntu! |language=en-GB}} Pine64 later revealed the PineBuds, true wireless earbuds intended to run open-source firmware.{{Cite web |title=Upcoming PineSound Offers an Open Bluetooth Audio Dev Experience — Exemplified in the PineBuds |url=https://www.hackster.io/news/upcoming-pinesound-offers-an-open-bluetooth-audio-dev-experience-exemplified-in-the-pinebuds-88c5a05fd969 |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Hackster.io |language=en}}
References
External links
{{Portal|Technology|Companies}}
- {{official website}}
Category:2015 establishments in California
Category:Computer companies established in 2015
Category:Computer companies of Hong Kong
Category:Computer hardware companies
Category:Computer systems companies
Category:Electronics companies of Hong Kong
Category:Kickstarter-funded products
Category:Mobile phone manufacturers
Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Hong Kong