Smaller CPU aside, how do its GPIOs compare performance-wise to the older PRU contained in TI Sitara CPUs used in BeagleBoards? Many complained about the small number of channels on TI processors (only 4 if memory serves) therefore I wonder if it could be considered a successor where very fast digital I/O is needed but power and memory to run Linux is not because it's being hosted and run on a bigger nearby CPU.