MNT June 2025 Update

Our June update features a big collaboration, small developments, and an intense event!

MNT x Linaro

Last month, NLnet approved our application of funding the development of a processor module featuring Qualcomm QCS6490 and we've already started running mainline Linux on the development kit. Since Linaro is specialized in Arm-based platforms, we thought it would be a great opportunity for a partnership to work on the integration of the Qualcomm QCS6490 processor in the MNT Reform series of devices together. Linaro met us with the same enthusiasm and we reached an agreement under which Linaro will provide us with U-Boot and kernel engineering expertise. Lukas and Casey from Linaro met in-person at the MNT headquarters last Friday. Together they hacked on the QCS6490 System-on-Chip dev kit by Thundercomm — and got the display output working (with GPU and postmarketOS/GNOME)! They gathered enough information about the constraints and capabilities of the hardware to design the first version of the schematics of our module.

Latest Developments

MNT Reform Next Trackpad Improvements

In our May update, we showed you how smooth scrolling works on MNT Reform Next using the trackpad. A few days ago, Lukas implemented the use of multiple fingers (and pinch zooming) in the trackpad firmware, now natively in HID precision touchpad mode. GNOME automatically works well with multi-touch gestures like two finger scrolling and three finger workspace switching:

HDMI Audio for MNT (Pocket) Reform with RK3588

MNT Reform and MNT Pocket Reform just got a nice upgrade: HDMI audio. Instead of using the headset jack or the internal speaker, you can now send audio conveniently via HDMI to your TV or monitor. Lukas released a new Kernel package with RK3588 device tree additions enabling this feature. You also need to install RTKit to avoid audio dropouts. The presence of RTKit stabilizes audio in general and will be shipped with our devices from now on.

Here are the commands for installing the kernel update and RTKit: sudo apt update sudo apt install linux-image-mnt-reform-arm64 rtkit

Then reboot and enjoy!

New MNT Support System

We migrated our internal support system to Libredesk, and Daniel Byron (who has worked on the beloved Open Hardware project Tangara) has developed our new self-service support center. Here you can get step-by-step interactive troubleshooting guides to solve common problems, or enter the required data for common support issues in a structured way.

Please use this support form when contacting our customer support. It is still in development, which means there are a few features missing but we are working to improve this system. We are open to feedback which you can include in your request or as a reply on Lukas's post on Mastodon.

MNT Desktop Reform Update

The MNT Desktop Reform case design is finished! It includes lots of mounting options, programmable LEDs, a power button, secondary (micro) HDMI, and mousebites to choose between compatibility with USB-C and barrel jack motherboard versions. The case will go into production soon.

MNT Pocket Reform with Improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Lukas designed an adapter board for high-speed Wi-Fi/Bluetooth which will be available on Crowd Supply and in our shop very soon. It adds a third M.2 slot (Key E) for a fast Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E/Bluetooth 5.3 card. This upgrade requires an improved version of our RCORE processor module, the R-2 version. If you have the original version of RCORE, we will offer an affordable upgrade to R-2. We are looking forward to getting this upgrade out!

MNT at GPN23

Lukas and Greta went to the Gulaschprogrammiernacht (GPN23) in Karlsruhe, Germany from June 19-22. This event is one of the biggest CCC events (but smaller than the yearly conference) and it was the first time they attended it. They experienced a well-organized event with lots of small details (such as a ceiling with sharks that you could control) at the universities HfG and ZKM. There were many familiar faces and interesting conversations, lots of hacking, and a blazing sun (30 degrees Celsius!).

We hope you've been enjoying the summer (or winter, depending on your location). Until next month or daily on the Fediverse!