[Updated 3:15PM] — Intel and Microsoft launched a community-backed, quad-core Atom Z3735G-based “Sharks Cove” SBC aimed at designers of Windows or Android tablets.

As you might expect from the fact that the $299 Sharks Cove development board ships with a Windows Embedded 8.1 image, this is not an open source SBC — at least from the Windows OS perspective. However, it’s backed up by a SharkCove.org community site, which has posted hardware documentation, but currently lacks a forum. The board is available on pre-order from Mouser.

Sharks Cove
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According to SharksCove.org, the Sharks Cove SBC was “designed by Intel’s Mobile and Communications Group (MCG), in conjunction with Microsoft, to provide a solid, flexible and community based platform for development on Intel Atom processors.” The board is being built by CircuitCo, a contract manufacturer known for building the BeagleBone Black and BeagleBone-based BlueSteel-Basic single board computers. SharksCove.org links to a Microsoft MSDN support page dedicated to the board, and the announcement came from Microsoft, which noted the inclusion of a Windows Embedded 8.1 image. Unsurprisingly, Microsoft’s announcement made no mention of the board’s Android compatibility, which is prominently mentioned on the Sharks Cove site.

In contrast to the Windows-oriented Sharks Cove SBC, Intel’s earlier $199 MinnowBoard, $99 MinnowBoard Max, and $60 Galileo SBCs, introduced over the past year, targeted both hackers and professional developers and set sail under open-source Linux and Android flags.

MinnowBoard, MinnowBoard Max, Galileo Gen 2
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Sharks Cove details

The Sharks Cove board features the Intel Atom Z735G, a quad-core, 1.33GHz (1.83GHz burst) member of the tablet-focused, 22nm Atom Z3000 Bay Trail-T SoC family. According to Microsoft, the board is designed for prototyping hardware and drivers for tablets and phones, but will also support other form-factors. One can consider it as the x86 answer to tablet-focused ARM development boards like Intrinsyc’s Snapdragon 800-based DragonBoard 8074 Development Kit.

Sharks Cove features
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The 6 x 4-inch Sharks Cove board is equipped with 1GB of DDR3 RAM and 16GB of eMMC 4.5 flash, with more flash storage available via a microSD card. Real-world coastline ports include USB 2.0, micro-USB, HDMI, and audio. There’s no built-in Ethernet or WiFi available currently, although an onboard WiFi module — possibly an extra-cost option — is in the works. Meanwhile, all communications must occur via USB extensions.


Sharks Cove topside connectors, identified
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The Sharks Cove provides MIPI DSI (display) and CSI (camera) interfaces, as well as additional headers for audio, I2S, I2C, UARTs, GPIOs, and clocks. A 5V, 2.5A power supply is provided, and the board can also be powered via the micro-USB port, which is primarily available for debugging.


Sharks Cove block diagram
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Summary of Sharks Cove specs

Specifications listed for the Sharks Cove board include:

• Processor — Intel Atom Z3735G (4x Silvermont/x86 cores @ 133GHz/1.88GHz burst) with 2MB L2 cache, Intel HD Graphics
• Memory:
  • 1GB DDR3L-RS-1333 RAM
  • 16GB eMMC 4.5 flash
  • MicroSD slot
  • 2MB SPI NOR
• Display/camera — HDMI port; MIPI DSI interface; MIPI CSI interface (camera)
• Networking — Ethernet or WiFi via USB
• Other I/O:
  • USB 2.0 port
  • Micro-USB port for debug or power
  • 3.5mm audio jack (Realtek ALC5640)
  • Speaker and mic headers
  • Headers for I2S, I2C, UART. GPIOs, clocks
• Other features — 4x stand-offs (legs); status LEDs; buttons for power, volume up/down, navigation, home, and rotation lock
• Power — 5V, 2.5A supply; supports micro-USB power; PMIC
• Dimensions — 6.0 x 4.0 in. (Type 3; 6-layer)
• Operating system — Windows Embedded 8.1 image supplied; also supports Android

 
Further information

The Sharks Cove Development Board is available for pre-order for $299, with no ship date listed. More information may be found at the Microsoft Sharks Cove announcement and SharkCove.org. The board is available at this Mouser Sharks Cove page.