Raspberry Pi projects are very numerous, but the same cannot be said about the Compute Module, reserved for OEMs and other commercial initiatives. However, today we came across CutiePi, a tablet design that adopts the Compute Module 3+ Lite. It is an open and flexible project, while the use of modules should ensure long-term improvements to its specifications.
Mini PCs, pocket projectors, media centers, a Bluetooth DAC, retro consoles… let's say you can do many things with the Raspberry Pi. The combination of a compact design, relatively low power consumption, and a wide variety of software has made this computer a very tempting option for portable projects, but when it comes to marketing it, a clean and attractive base is needed.
CutiePi points in that direction. Although this is not the first Raspberry Pi tablet we've seen, the difference (and I would say, the advantage) is that it uses the Compute Module 3+ Lite. Thanks to the creation of a special platform (called CutiePi Board), the Compute Module receives all the auxiliary functions it needs to work as a tablet, from ports and microSD slot to WiFi, Bluetooth, sensors, and gyroscope.
As expected, CutiePi is compatible with the standard edition of Raspbian OS, but the plan here is to add modifications that make its interface much more friendly to the tablet format. Personally, I don't think Raspbian is the best system, and its developers should work in favor of an Android build (either Go or Pie 9.0)... although we could do that on our own.
The specifications mention the aforementioned Compute Module 3+ Lite, an 8-inch 1280x800 pixel screen, WiFi n and Bluetooth 4.0, a USB Type-A port, six GPIO pins, a microSD slot, a 4800 mAh LiPo battery, and a final weight of 350 grams.
Another interesting fact is that crowdfunding would not be its first option. The launch of CutiePi is scheduled for the end of 2019, with a price that would range between $150 and $250. The use of a socket for the Compute Module is very attractive and opens the possibility of increasing the tablet's performance with updated versions, as long as they are “pin-compatible”.
Official site: Click here
