waveshare News - CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

August 10, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

PyBLE open-source MicroPython IDE works over Bluetooth LE for tablet and iPad users

PyBLE is an open-source, MIT-licensed MicroPython IDE for programming microcontroller boards over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which targets Android tablet and iPad users. PyBLE combines a Flutter-based IDE for iPad and Android with support for MicroPython and visual programming (Blockly), an open MicroPython agent firmware, and the PBLE/1 protocol fully documented by the developer. The IDE currently supports features such as editing and running Python, a live console, wireless file management, and initial firmware targets include ESP32, ESP32-S3, and ESP32-C3 wireless microcontrollers. PyBLE highlights: Flutter app Filtered BLE discovery and PBLE/1 open protocol support MicroPython editor with save, run, stop, soft reboot, and live console Wireless file browsing and transfer with integrity checks Offline Blockly workspace with GPIO and standard MicroPython NeoPixel blocks Editable beginner examples Exact Blockly sidecar reopening and a bounded Python-to-blocks importer Adaptive tablet interface for portrait and landscape use Local operation without an account, analytics, or […]

July 30, 2026July 30, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

ESP-KVM – An open-source IP KVM solution based on ESP32-P4 RISC-V MCU

Earlier this month, the P4 KVM project was brought to my attention. It provides IP KVM functionality to a Waveshare ESP32-P4-WIFI6-POE-ETH board when paired with a Toshiba TC358743 HDMI-to-CSI adapter. However, it doesn’t work with the new ESP32-P4 V3.x variants featuring a proper H.264 video encoding implementation, and the developer (Jonathan Rowny) says it’s just a proof-of-concept with many bugs and no security, so I decided to skip it. The good news is that he also encouraged others to fork the project, and Evgenij Spitsyn did just that with the release of the ESP-KVM project, which supports both MJPEG and H.264 encoding and a range of other features. ESP-KVM highlights: Video capture, resolution changes, and MJPEG or H.264 encoding Keyboard, absolute and relative pointer, media keys, copy/paste Touch mode for phones and tablets (trackpad, on-screen keyboard) Multiple viewers, one in control at a time with takeover HTTPS, login, physical password […]

July 28, 2026July 28, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Waveshare RP2350-POE-ETH – A Raspberry Pi RP2350 MCU board with PoE

Raspberry Pi RP2350 Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) board

Waveshare RP2350-POE-ETH is a Raspberry Pi RP2350 board with Ethernet implemented through a W6300 chip, support for optional PoE (Power-over-Ethernet), and two GPIO headers. We had covered a few Raspberry Pi RP2350 boards with Ethernet from WIZNet, including the W5100S-EVB-Pico2, W5500-EVB-Pico2, and W6300-EVB-Pico2, but none were advertised with PoE at the time. Since then, the 4-pin WizPOE-P1 module changes that, and the Waveshare RP2350-POE-ETH board offers a more affordable option. Waveshare RP2350-POE-ETH specifications: Microcontroller – Raspberry Pi RP2350A CPU Dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 processor @ 150 MHz Dual-core 32-bit RISC-V Hazard3 @ 150 MHz Up to two cores can be used at a time, either 2x Arm, 2x RISC-V, or 1x Arm + 1x RISC-V Memory – 520KB internal RAM Storage – 8KB OTP Storage Storage – 16Mbit SPI NOR flash Ethernet 10/100Mbps Ethernet RJ45 port via WIZnet W6300 “iEthernet” chip 6-pin PoE connector for optional module USB – USB 1.1 C-Type […]

July 7, 2026July 7, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

ESP32-C5 devkit offers 2.8-inch capacitive touch display, dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 LE, LiPo battery support

Last week, I wrote about the ESP32-C5-LCD-1.47 as one of the first ESP32-C5 devkits with a built-in display enabling dual-band WiFi 6 connectivity for IoT and HMI projects. However, one reader lamented the lack of touch-capable screens, at which point kwchow pointed to the ESP32-C5-Touch-LCD-2.8 model offering just that by pairing an ESP32-C5 with a 2.8-inch IPS display with capacitive touch and 320×480 resolution. The new board also features a microSD card slot, a USB-C port for power and programming, a built-in microphone and a speaker connector, a few sensors, and various I/Os connectors for expansion. Let’s have a closer look. ESP32-C5-Touch-LCD-2.8 specifications: Wireless module – Espressif Systems ESP32-C5-WROOM-1-N32R8 SoC – ESP32-C5HR8 CPU Single-core 32-bit RISC-V processor @ up to 240 MHz Low-power RISC-V core @ 40 MHz acting as the main processor for power-sensitive applications Memory – 384 KB SRAM on-chip, 8MB PSRAM Storage – 320 KB ROM Wireless […]

July 5, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

Macintosh emulator works on ESP32-P4 display devkits from M5Stack and Waveshare

ESP32 chips have been used for retro gaming and computing for years, but Austin McChord (Amcchord) adds to that with a Macintosh emulator ported to a couple of ESP32-P4 display devkits. His project is a full port of the BasiliskII Macintosh 68k emulator, bringing classic Mac OS (System 7.x through Mac OS 8.1) to portable ESP32-P4 embedded devices with touchscreen, USB peripherals, and WiFi support through an ESP32-C6 on the boards. The main development platform appears to be the M5Stack Tab5 equipped with a 5-inch touchscreen display with 1280×720 resolution. However, if you need something with a larger screen, the Waveshare ESP32-P4-WIFI6-Touch-LCD-10.1 is also supported, and features a 10.1-inch display with 1280×800 resolution and a 10-point capacitive touchscreen. The actual Mac OS resolutions used are 640×360 and 640×400, respectively, then scaled twice to the native resolution of the display. Highlights of the project: CPU – Motorola 68040 emulation with FPU (68881) […]

July 3, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

ESP32-C5 dual-band WiFi 6 and Bluetooth LE IoT board features 1.47-inch color LCD

We’ve covered plenty of connected displays based on ESP32 chips over the years, but the Waveshare ESP32-C5-LCD-1.47 is a little different, since it’s the first to feature an ESP32-C5 chip for dual-band WiFi 6 connectivity. It’s basically based on the ESP32-C6-LCD-1.47 design, but replaces the ESP32-C6 supporting 2.4 GHz WiFi 6 with an ESP32-C5 capable of handling both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi 6. Other features mostly remain the same: a 1.47-inch 262K-color display with 320 x 172 resolution, 4MB of flash, an RGB LED, a microSD card slot, and two 9-pin headers for GPIO expansion. Waveshare ESP32-C5-LCD-1.47 specifications: Wireless MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32-C5FH4 CPU Single-core 32-bit RISC-V processor @ up to 240 MHz Low-power RISC-V core @ 40 MHz acting as the main processor for power-sensitive applications Memory – 384 KB SRAM on-chip Storage – 320 KB ROM, 4MB flash Wireless Connectivity Dual-band (2.4GHz/5 GHz) 802.11ax WiFi […]

June 29, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

Waveshare ESP32-C6-Zero-B – A tiny ESP32-C6 USB-C board with 5V-36V wide supply voltage

ESP32-C6 board 5-36V wide supply voltage

Waveshare ESP32-C6-Zero-B is a variant of the company’s ESP32-C6-Zero USB-C board that adds 5V-36V wide supply voltage support for industrial applications It’s based on the ESP32-C6FH8 wireless RISC-V SoC with 8MB flash, 2.4 GHz WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.x LE, and an 802.15.4 radio for Zigbee and Thread. It also exposes up to 20 GPIOs via headers and pads, and features an RGB LED, as well as Boot and Reset buttons. Waveshare ESP32-C6-Zero-B specifications: SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-C6FH8 CPU Single-core 32-bit RISC-V clocked up to 160 MHz Low-power RISC-V core @ up to 20 MHz Memory – 512KB SRAM Storage – 320KB ROM, 8MB flash Wireless – 2.4 GHz WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and 802.15.4 radio for Thread/Zigbee USB – USB Type-C port for program download and debugging Expansion 2x 9-pin headers with up to 13x GPIOs, UART, I2C, SPI, 6x ADC, I2S, PWM, Vin, 3.3V out, GND 7x solder pads […]

June 22, 2026June 23, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Optocam Zero – A Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W-based DIY digital camera

Inspired by Kodak Charmera and similar toy cameras, the Optocam Zero is a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W-based DIY digital camera made of off-the-shelf components and 3D-printed parts. It connects the Pi Zero 2 W SBC with a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3, a 1.3-inch LCD, a 14500 Li-Ion battery holder, and other components. The camera supports autofocus, eight photo filters, USB-C charging, and lasts 70 to 80 minutes on a charge. Optocam Zero camera key features: Based on Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W SBC Display 1.3-inch LCD with 240 x 240 resolution 15–20 FPS camera preview on the screen. Screen dimming when inactive to preserve battery Camera features 2592 x 2592 JPEG image capture. GIF recording and playback support. Autofocus support 8 photo filters included. Misc Image transfer through custom hotspot interface. Fully 3D printed case parts 3D printable TPU protective sleeve and lanyard design is available. 22-second boot […]