> the layout's hilarious: the PCB is over 50% completely empty.

Allow me to be the first to point out that for this very reason this SOC might be an excellent candidate for the first SOC to adapt to the EOMA50 standard.
> remember that this *really is* the bare minimum - it'll be amazingly
an under $10 BOM.
And here is another good reason to use it as a first pick...
-Mike