Talk:ODROID

Open-source hardware?

“created by Hardkernel Co., Ltd., an open-source hardware company”

Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't see any sign of this on their website. Where are the hardware sources? What licence are they released under?

I also don't see any mention of Odroid or Hardkernel on the Open-source computing hardware list.

—James Haigh (talk) 2014-04-25T22:50:11Z

"The ODROID means Open + Android"[1]

"There is no copyright issue on our schematics. It is a sort of open hardware. It is possible to clone the ODROID-U2/U"[2]

"ODROID(Open-Android) devices are shipped with full source code and schematics."[3]

"An Open Hardware Single Board Computer with all the Hardware and Features I wished my Raspberry Pi had - ODROID-U3 Community Edition"[4]

--Guy Macon (talk) 23:54, 25 April 2014 (UTC)

Thank you. Note 3 of your 2^nd reference confirms that it is not open hardware:

“3. We don't supply/sell any PCB design file or Gerber file. Please don't ask about it.”[5]

—James Haigh (talk) 2014-05-08T17:36:08Z

Btw. Guy, if you're interested in hardware that really is open, see here:

• Open-source computing hardware
• List of open-source hardware projects

—James Haigh (talk) 2014-05-08T18:36:55Z

I am very familiar with open-source hardware.

Gerber hardware files are not like software source files. They are like software executables, "compiled" from the hardware equivalent of source files -- the schematic and parts list. If that makes it closed source, them the Linux kernel is closed source on account of only supplying source code, not executables.

The key fact about a Gerber file is that, like an executable, it cannot be easily modified or studied. Yes, there are utilities which allow you to directly edit a Gerber just as there are utilities that allow you to patch an executable, but the usual (and by far easier) way to make a change is to modify the source/schematic and then recompile/relayout to a new executable/gerber. --Guy Macon (talk) 18:50, 8 May 2014 (UTC)

It's not a great comparison to use the analogy of the Linux kernel. Hardware is inherently different because it is less malleable; it is relatively easy to recompile the kernel but remaking hardware has a significant cost. If hardware is truly open then one use of the sources is to allow modification to existing instances of that hardware. Yes, hardware mods are like patching a binary, but the limitation on the ‘recompile’ is due to natural production cost rather than copyright restriction.

Furthermore, ask yourself this: if hardware files are so hard to do anything useful with, then why is the company restricting their availability?

If you still think Odroid is open hardware, then talk to the people who prevent projects like the Raspberry Pi from being on the open hardware lists for the same reasons.

—James Haigh (talk) 2014-05-08T21:47:54Z

I don't need to talk to them, because I am one of them. Something is open-source hardware if there is sufficient documentation under a suitable license so that someone who has the capability of creating hardware can create and sell a working copy of it without infringing on any patents or copyrights. You can do that with Odroid. You can't with Raspberry Pi.

How does a Gerber file "allow modification to existing instances of that hardware"? By telling you where the traces go when you can easily determine that with visual inspection and an ohmmeter? --Guy Macon (talk) 09:09, 9 May 2014 (UTC)

PCB files

> the hardware isn't actually open because some parts of the design are retained by the company.[2]

PCB AutoCAD files and full schematics are available for all three of their current boards. Maybe this bit should be removed from article? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.240.134.81 (talk) 17:49, 27 June 2016 (UTC)

Genode on Odroid XU4

What is the reason for Genode not being able to run on Odroid XU4? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.169.116.21 (talk) 07:44, 11 August 2017 (UTC)

Additional Models

It appears ODroid also offers HC1, HC2, and MC1. These seem to be worthy of inclusion. For example, HC1 includes SATA 3 support, the HC2 includes USB 3.0, and the MC1 overtly supports clustering... although I suspect the others do as well. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jasonnet (talk • contribs) 04:39, 20 June 2018 (UTC)

Another offered model HC-4 is listed as supported by OpenBSD. Hot basket (talk) 09:45, 18 March 2021 (UTC)