Orange Pi

Orange Pi is a brand of single-board computers (SBCs) developed and manufactured by Shenzhen Xunlong Software Co., Ltd. in China. These computers are designed for educators and developers to tinker with electronics, learn programming, and build various projects.

Orange Pi boards come in various configurations with different processors, memory capacities, and ports. They typically offer standard interfaces like HDMI, USB, Ethernet, and GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins. The company also provides its own operating system, Orange Pi OS, based on Debian Linux.

Orange Pi boards are similar to other popular SBCs like Raspberry Pi, but often offer different hardware specifications and features. They typically run open-source operating systems like Linux and Android, allowing users to customize their experience and explore various applications.

History
Orange Pi is an open-source hardware brand founded by Shenzhen Xunlong Software Co., Ltd. in 2005. The company aimed to create an alternative to the popular Raspberry Pi. Their first open-source product was launched in 2014.

Since its inception, Orange Pi has released over 30 different products.

Hardware and software
Orange Pi offers a wide range of products, including:


 * Development Boards: These are the core products, featuring various processors, RAM capacities, and connectivity options. Popular models include Orange Pi 5 Plus, Orange Pi 3 LTS, and Orange Pi Zero 2W.
 * Zero Series: Low-power boards for learning and simple projects.
 * PC Series: More powerful boards suitable for desktop applications and media playback.
 * Other Series: Specialized boards for specific uses like AI development (RK3399 series) and IoT applications (2G-IoT, 3G-IoT series).
 * Keyboard PCs: These integrate a keyboard with the development board. An example is the Orange Pi 800.
 * Accessories: Accessories include cameras, touch screens, heat sinks, and expansion boards.

The first Orange Pi development board, the Orange Pi One, was released in 2014. Since then, the company has released numerous models with varying processing power, RAM, storage capacity, and connectivity options. Some popular models include:


 * Orange Pi Zero: This ultra-compact and low-cost board is perfect for embedded projects with limited space and power constraints.
 * Orange Pi 3: An affordable board with a quad-core processor, suitable for learning programming and basic projects.
 * Orange Pi 5: A more powerful board with an octa-core processor, capable of running demanding applications like media streaming and light gaming.
 * Orange Pi 800: A keyboard computer that integrates an SBC with a keyboard and mouse, offering a complete desktop experience in a compact form factor.

Orange Pi provides its own operating system, Orange Pi OS, based on Debian Linux. This OS is user-friendly and includes various pre-installed applications for media playback, web browsing, and productivity tasks. Additionally, Orange Pi boards are compatible with a wide range of third-party operating systems, allowing users to customize their experience.

Applications
Orange Pi boards can be used in a wide range of fields as they have diverse hardware capabilities, open-source nature, and are relatively affordable. They are popular among hobbyists and educators for learning electronics, programming, and tinkering. Their compact size and low power consumption make them suitable for embedded system development, particularly in Internet of Things (IoT) projects.

More powerful models can be used for media playback, basic web browsing, and even light gaming. They have the ability to run various operating systems like Android, Linux distributions, and even Windows in some cases. Additionally, their GPIO pins and diverse connectivity options allow them to be integrated into various applications, including:


 * Retro gaming: Some models are powerful enough to emulate older video game consoles.
 * Learning electronics and programming: Orange Pi boards are popular choices for beginners due to their accessibility and compatibility with various operating systems and programming languages.
 * Smart home applications: Building automation and control systems for homes.
 * Digital signage: Displaying information and advertisements on screens.
 * Robotics and automation: Controlling robots, drones, and other automated systems.
 * Edge computing: Performing data processing and analysis closer to the source of data collection.
 * Industrial automation: Monitoring and controlling industrial processes.
 * AI and machine learning: Running basic AI and machine learning models for tasks like image recognition and object detection.