ODROID-Go Advance (OGA) next batch production plan and some news

[rooted]

ODROID-Go Advance (OGA) next batch production plan and some news!

We have bad news and good news.

The bad news is that we require four more weeks to ship the next batch due to delayed key components. Our original target schedule was 10 May, but it will be delayed a couple of more weeks.
As everyone knows by now, the industry still needs more time to recover from broken component supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic problem.
According to our vendors, the last components will be ready in the middle of May, and we can start our production process from 20 May. We plan to ship the OGA from 25 May at the earliest.
We are sorry for the bad news and will keep updating the schedule and status weekly.


The good news is that we have applied a few minor changes to improve usability:

<1> The power input port has changed to a USB Type-C connector.
This allows common smartphone chargers and cables to be used. However, there are a few limitations.
The Type-C port is not a fully featured USB-PD (Power Delivery) protocol interface. There is no USB data communication feature either. It is just a “dumb” power input used for battery charging only.
Additionally, one or two pins of the 10pin GPIO port may be obstructed when charging the device.

<2> A 802.11n SDIO WiFi module has been mounted on the PCB by default.
You can download ROMs via the wireless connection, and multi-player features would be feasible sometime in the future without requiring an external USB WiFi dongle.
Tested throughput with the “iperf” tool was about 40~50Mbps and SMB/NFS file transfer speed was around 4~6MiB/s.

<3> L2 and R2 shoulder buttons added.
Many users requested it, and we added it. It is hoped that many PSX game fans will enjoy it. We are aware the shape of the new L2 and R2 buttons is not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.

<4> A new shell case color is available.
There will be two options for shell cases: Aura Black and Clear White. Both shells are made with transparent resins allowing the status LEDs to be visible on the back side.
The color of the PCB also changed to black from white.


Let's look into the new PCB samples.

There are two additional tact switches on the edge side for L2 and R2 buttons.


You can find the USB Type-C connector and the SDIO WiFi module easily.



We will call this new gadget ODROID-Go Advance Black Edition or OGA-BE if there are no other good names when we start selling in late May.


Enjoy some pictures.
Aura Black




Clear White






Unfortunately, there is one additional piece of bad news. The price increased to $59 from $55 due to the built-in WiFi connectivity and additional buttons. We hope a $4 increase is acceptable for customers.

Linux device drivers for the SDIO WiFi module and the L2/R2 buttons are already included in our Kernel source repo.
A new Ubuntu 20.04 based OS image including this support will be provided by @crashoverride in the middle of May hopefully.
The new OS image and Kernel will be fully compatible with the original OGA.

[rooted]

Very nice upgrade, now no more complaining about wireless, type C, and L2/R2. Although I'm sure some will still complain about placement.

[mad_ady]

Congratulation on the new revision!
Out of curiosity - does pcb color influence price, or are all colors equally priced? Or is it just a cosmetic change? I figure it will create darker colors when coloring the white shell.

[cdu13a]

Does Hardkernel plan to provide/sell a Type C USB cable for charging?

It would be good to be able to have the option of getting a reasonably priced cable that is known to work with the OGA when purchasing it.

[mad_ady]

@mad_ady,
The PCB color price difference must be negligible.
Since the color spay or paint is not transparent, I hope the PCB color must not affect the look and feel of the customized shells seriously.

@cdu13a,
There will be a bundle Type-C cable in the package by default.

[meveric]

We will send some engineering samples to Batocera, EmuELEC, RetroArena, RetroRoller and OGSTA OS developers on 11 May.

[valadaa48]

This looks great! I saw the commits for the onboard wifi earlier this month and glad to see it's indeed true.

Question about the USB-C jack: you mention PD isn't supported but can you confirm if connecting a PD charger will work or will it damage the device?

Also from the dts commits I understand the wifi peripheral isn't routing through dwc2. Can you confirm this to be the case?

Thanks!

[jutleys]

Great work on the upgraded device just what the device needed now its perfect.

[mad_ady]

Also from the dts commits I understand the wifi peripheral isn't routing through dwc2. Can you confirm this to be the case?

They're using a SDIO wifi chip that is independent of USB.
Also, @odroid - you might consider replacing the photos on the store/wiki with the new ones in order to reduce confusion caused by the color change when the device ships.

[Demetris]

We will send some engineering samples to Batocera, EmuELEC, RetroArena, RetroRoller and OGSTA OS developers on 11 May.

Hi, looks like you forgot Lakka team
If you check https://batocera.org/changelog you will realize that it was thanks to lakka team work on odroid go advance that all the other teams have Retroarch gui working properly on it.
You can check out work if interested here https://github.com/libretro/Lakka-Libre ... dGoAdvance

[BenMcLean]

Are the new devices the same physical size as the old ones? Want to know because of carrying case.

[rooted]

They are the same size.

[npaladin2000]

Yes! I'll take one! Take my money please pretty please!!!

[Etx]

Awesomeness intensifies!

[npaladin2000]

We will send some engineering samples to Batocera, EmuELEC, RetroArena, RetroRoller and OGSTA OS developers on 11 May.

Hi, looks like you forgot Lakka team
If you check https://batocera.org/changelog you will realize that it was thanks to lakka team work on odroid go advance that all the other teams have Retroarch gui working properly on it.
You can check out work if interested here https://github.com/libretro/Lakka-Libre ... dGoAdvance

I probably wouldn't go that far in your claims but you still deserve a dev unit just like the other devs.

[hominoid]

Nice move, very impressive upgrades for $4.

[8BitMuch]

@mad_ady,
The PCB color price difference must be negligible.
Since the color spay or paint is not transparent, I hope the PCB color must not affect the look and feel of the customized shells seriously.

Definitely please consider colored pcb! I know that I personally would pay ~10-15$USD for a custom one!

Love that you are listening to user feedback, and the impressive beast this little thing has evolved into from Odroid and the developers really shows!

[HHanzo]

I will buy the next batch in November

[http]

Will the addition of the L2/R2 buttons have some software/image support implications for us with the original model? Like having to manually remap emulators for them to be usable?

[crashoverride]

Will the addition of the L2/R2 buttons have some software/image support implications for us with the original model?

I can only speak for the Reference Image. There will be no change for original hardware.

For new hardware, the only change is that L2/R2 are now mapped to the new buttons instead of F5/F6 and trigger swapping (R1/L1 <-> F5/F6) is ignored.

[SlappyMcPhee]

We will send some engineering samples to Batocera, EmuELEC, RetroArena, RetroRoller and OGSTA OS developers on 11 May.

We look forward to checking out the new revision and providing whatever is required in the newer releases of software.

[tomgarz]

How is this going to work for those of us that ordered back in late Jan. and are still waiting for our unit?

[crashoverride]

How is this going to work for those of us that ordered back in late Jan. and are still waiting for our unit?

HardKernel does not do pre-orders that I am aware of. You will need to contact the reseller where you placed the order and inquire about their plans.

[jutleys]

All this needs now is another analog stick on the right side and then to reallocate the speaker system behind the device there be no touching the device at this price point just something else to complain about now

[npaladin2000]

All this needs now is another analog stick on the right side and then to reallocate the speaker system behind the device there be no touching the device at this price point just something else to complain about now

Name 10 games that would actually use a right analog and work on the OGA

[jutleys]

There may not be many now but the ports are growing so i am sure the demand will grow for the second analog stick being used in ports that will use it.

[mad_ady]

All this needs now is another analog stick on the right side and then to reallocate the speaker system behind the device there be no touching the device at this price point just something else to complain about now

Name 10 games that would actually use a right analog and work on the OGA

Doom, Quake 2, Half-Life (1) and other shooters where you control movement with one joystick and aiming with the other.

Not really a gamer, so I can't say.

Not sure what bus the joystick is using, but if it can be exrented to the top gpios, somebody will find a way to glue a second joystick somewhere...

[kcoles]

So I ordered and paid for mine 2 weeks ago. Does this mean I will be getting the new version? I'm asking because you mentioned a small price increase.

[Etx]

...and other shooters where you control movement with one joystick and aiming with the other.

Just try to use a buttons to control movement. It's natively easy, really.
Have you ever tried to play HL, Quake on a PC with lack of analog controls at all by default? Correct me if i wrong, but all shooters uses keyboard for movement (buttons in our case) plus mouse for aiming (analog joystick in our case). And this is really the best control method invented by a humanity. It performs so well, game developers should avoid cases when PC users are able to fight vs console gamers with their dual-analogue methods of control - due to pure massacre.

[CISKO]

All this needs now is another analog stick on the right side and then to reallocate the speaker system behind the device there be no touching the device at this price point just something else to complain about now

Name 10 games that would actually use a right analog and work on the OGA

Doom, Quake 2, Half-Life (1) and other shooters where you control movement with one joystick and aiming with the other.

Not really a gamer, so I can't say.

Not sure what bus the joystick is using, but if it can be exrented to the top gpios, somebody will find a way to glue a second joystick somewhere...

Ape Escape

[crashoverride]

So I ordered and paid for mine 2 weeks ago. Does this mean I will be getting the new version? I'm asking because you mentioned a small price increase.

You will need to contact the reseller that you placed the order with.

[mad_ady]

...and other shooters where you control movement with one joystick and aiming with the other.

Just try to use a buttons to control movement. It's natively easy, really.
Have you ever tried to play HL, Quake on a PC with lack of analog controls at all by default? Correct me if i wrong, but all shooters uses keyboard for movement (buttons in our case) plus mouse for aiming (analog joystick in our case). And this is really the best control method invented by a humanity. It performs so well, game developers should avoid cases when PC users are able to fight vs console gamers with their dual-analogue methods of control - due to pure massacre.

I tried to play doom on the GoA, but I found it very awkward (coming from a keyboard/mouse background). I kept hugging walls and looking all over the place. I never finished the first level in doom because I kept trying to remember which button is which... I think muscle memory is going against me (since hand controls are reversed)...

[jbach50]

still waiting on Hardkernal to open ordering

[mad_ady]

You should wait about a week because they have some holidays.

[crashoverride]

I kept hugging walls and looking all over the place.

For your safety, and the safety of others, alcohol consumption should be avoided when operating GO-Advance.

[npaladin2000]

You should wait about a week because they have some holidays.

I'm debating between ordering from them direct or waiting for Ameridroid. Tough decision.

[JustBeKrillin]

Is the big gaping hole on the side of the device gone now? Please tell me it is.

[jbach50]

well not a choice about ordering, you cant yet

[mad_ady]

You should wait about a week because they have some holidays.

I'm debating between ordering from them direct or waiting for Ameridroid. Tough decision.

Ameridroid usually starts shiping a week after HK. See if the shipping/taxes difference make it worth waiting an extra week...

[shakaworld]

Does it use the same screen and Joystick/speaker ?

[crashoverride]

Does it use the same screen and Joystick/speaker ?

Yes.

[camaroer87]

This looks great! If the new button mounting system allows it, would it be possible to provide an upgrade kit for the original Odroid Go owners? Include the upgraded motherboard, the 2 additional buttons, and a cut template for the original case.

[mmax]

What about bluetooth audio ?

[mad_ady]

What about bluetooth audio ?

Should work with a BT usb dongle. Though you might need ssh for the pairing process.

[cnxsoft]

What about bluetooth audio ?

Should work with a BT usb dongle. Though you might need ssh for the pairing process.

If I read the markings correctly the module is ESP-WROOM-32, so there should be both WiFi and Bluetooth, no?

[rooted]

What about bluetooth audio ?

Should work with a BT usb dongle. Though you might need ssh for the pairing process.

If I read the markings correctly the module is ESP-WROOM-32, so there should be both WiFi and Bluetooth, no?

I was thinking the same thing.

[mad_ady]

If it does support BT and it wasn't advertised, most likely it has no driver, or doesn't work at the same time with wifi...

[rooted]

Even if it doesn't work simultaneously it should still be mentioned since it could open up the usage of Bluetooth accessories such as headphones.

I didn't want to bring up Bluetooth because people get uptight and start complaining

[Forcen]

How about "upgrade bundle" for people with 1st revision of OGA? =)

[whossideareyouon]

Can't wait.

I don't have an Odroid Go Advance yet, so I'll order this day one.