Imagination have launched a MIPS development board called the MIPS Creator CI20, targeted at hobbyists, makers and schools working on open source projects. The system supports Linux (currently running Debian 7, but other distro images are also supported) and by the end of September Android 4.4 KitKat. Its main hardware features include:

  • Ingenic JZ4780, dual 1.2GHz MIPS32 processor, SGX540 GPU, 32k I&D L1 cache, 512k L2 cache
  • IEEE754 Floating Point Unit
  • 8GB Flash, 1GB DDR3 memory
  • Video playback up to 1080p
  • AC97 audio, via 4-pin input/output jack and HDMI connector
  • Camera interface –ITU645 controller
  • Connectivity – 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
  • HDMI output up to 2K resolution
  • 2 x USB – host and OTG
  • 14-pin ETAG connector
  • 2 x UART, GPIO, SPI, I2C, ADC, expansion headers
  • Power supply

   
The spec certainly looks interesting, to be in with a chance of receiving a board free of charge you just need to register and describe the project you want to build using the MIPS development board. If you are lucky and the company likes the sound of your proposal you will be one of 1000 entrants to receive a free Creator CI20 development board. For more information go to the Imagination web site and fill out a request form.