Meet the VoCore, a coin-sized Linux computer

Lead Image © Yulia Drozdova, 123RF.com

Mini Micro

At the size of a postage stamp, the VoCore packs a whole Linux-based computer in a tiny footprint costing only $20. We take the VoCore for a spin and give you a few ideas about how to include it in your hardware projects.

This VoCore [1] thing is tiny! It measures less than 3 square centimeters (about a square inch) and is about 2 millimeters (0.07 inches) thick. Admittedly, the VoCore is much less powerful than the Raspberry Pi, but its usefulness in projects that require a much smaller footprint, along with WiFi out of the box (something the RPi2 still doesn't have), makes it a very interesting option for makers.

You can power the VoCore by connecting a power source to a couple of pins on the board (Figure 1). Although in theory it can take between 3.3 and 6V, you would be advised to go with the high voltages (i.e., between 5 and 6V). Anything less, and the device will not be able to bring up its WiFi network, and without its WiFi network, you won't be able to connect to it – unless you buy your VoCore with a dock, that is.

It might be tempting to go with the basic VoCore; however, you could be better off getting one with a dock (Figure 2). The dock makes the whole thing 2cm (0.8 inches) taller, but it also adds a micro-USB port (which is a much more convenient and a safer way to power your device), a regular USB port, an Ethernet port, and a microSD card reader.

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