Friday Product Post: The Thing
You don't want to spend all winter tied to a couch without the new SparkFun ESP32 Thing or PiRetrocade!
Welcome to this spooky Friday Product Post. We've put a lot of work into this week's new products. On this fine Friday we have for you the new SparkFun ESP32 Thing, the SparkFun PiRetrocade, and two huge Piezo Alarms. Now, without further ado, let's dive on in and check out these great new products:
An all-around better IoT module on a board you know and love!
The SparkFun ESP32 Thing is a comprehensive development platform for Espressif’s ESP32, their super-charged version of the popular ESP8266. Like the 8266, the ESP32 is a WiFi-compatible microcontroller, but to that it adds support for Bluetooth low-energy (i.e BLE, BT4.0, Bluetooth Smart), and nearly 30 I/O pins. The ESP32’s power and versatility will make it the foundation of IoT and connected projects for many years to come.
Video games + Raspberry Pi = non-stop fun!
Do you own a Raspberry Pi? Have you always wanted to use it to set up your very own gaming station? The SparkFun PiRetrocade provides you with all the control hardware and arcade software you need to play almost any retro arcade and console video game! Included in this kit are five concave arcade buttons, a joystick, an SD card preloaded with Porta Pi, and all of the connective tissue. The only thing you need to provide is your own Raspberry Pi (we recommend the RPi3) and a screen to play your games on! We even designed the box the SparkFun PiRetrocade comes in to be converted into a custom game pad. Just cut out the designated points with the included utility knife and you're ready to play!
The SparkFun PiRetrocade is currently available for preorder. We expect to begin fulfilling orders within the next week.
UPDATE 12PM MDT: As requested!
This 16 tone Piezo Alarm is a great option when you need an audible alarm (or are just looking for a great way to prank your friends). This alarm has 16 different output options that can be changed on the DIP switches on the unit. Select Continuous, Intermitent, Warble, or Pulsating, and amaze your friends.
Don't need different tones from your Piezo alarm? This 3KHz Piezo Alarm is a different option for when you need a loud audible alarm. This alarm produces a 3KHz output at up to 100dB(A), and has an input range of 3V to 18V.
Alright everyone, we hope you liked the products this week. We hope all of you have a happy and safe Halloween. Make sure to check back next Wednesday for an impromptu new product announcement. Never fear, we will still have more new products next Friday as well. Until then have fun and trick or treat!
When are you guys getting in the Arduino Zero or MKR1000? I'd prefer to order from SP.. :)
We don't have any plans for either board at the moment, but we do carry a couple of Arduino Zero compatible boards. The SamD21 Dev board is a regular sized Arduino footprint and comes without headers. The SamdD21 Mini Breakout is the size of a Pro Mini. Both use the same SamD21 chip found on the Zero though.
This has been a long time in arriving yet it ain't here yet - it's back ordered. So... a) What is Sparkfun's best guess as to delivery dates? b) Does the entire ESP32 device work as advertised? For example, does Bluetooth work? Are there drivers for it? c) Any other caveats customers would like to know about before ordering one?
Thanks!
Sorry they're out of stock. We're building them as fast as we can! I think the next batch should be done Monday.
The software support is still very much in its infancy. You can see it develop on their esp-idf GitHub repo. WiFi's working pretty well, as are most GPIO features. Bluetooth is a little behind, but they have at least one example -- ble-adv -- that works as a proof-of-concept.
There's a way to go, but Espressif has been very open about where they are. Keep an eye on that ESP-IDF repo to get a pulse of the development -- I just saw that they're targeting a Nov. 30 release date for v1.0 of the IDF.
Could we get a video of the different alarm tones on the 16 tone piezo alarm
We are working on a Simple Sketch on it right now for you!
Thanks!
What a great idea!
Thanks!