Review of SONOFF’s latest Matter Smart Switches – Basic Gen5 and Tx Gen2

Today, we’re about to review not one, but two new Matter devices: the SONOFF Basic Gen5 Smart Switch and the SONOFF Tx Gen2 Smart Wall Switch. Both are upgraded versions of their previous models, now adding support for the Matter protocol (over Wi-Fi). The Basic Gen5 is the fifth generation of the popular Basic series, known for being affordable and widely used in the market. It’s a Wi-Fi smart switch that can control all kinds of devices, such as lights or small electrical devices. Basically, anything within its 10A limit. What’s new compared to the previous BasicR4 is the addition...

Grinn GenioBoard Offers MediaTek Genio 700 SoM, Dual M.2 Expansion, and CRA-Ready Security

Grinn has unveiled the GenioBoard, a compact single-board computer aimed at accelerating development of embedded and AI-enabled systems. It integrates the company’s GenioSOM-510 and GenioSOM-700 modules built on MediaTek’s Genio processor family, combining multiple Arm Cortex-A cores with an integrated GPU and NPU for edge inference applications. Powered by the MediaTek Genio 700, which integrates […]

Giveaway Week 2025 – 5-inch Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2

The fourth prize of CNX Software Giveaway Week 2025 will be the official 5-inch Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2. I was sent one for review, but I have yet to find anything interesting to use it for, like I did for the 7-inch Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 and the Raspberry Pi AI camera. So I might just as well give it away. To enter the draw, simply leave a comment with your country and whatever else you’d like to say (no links in the body of the comment). If the country is missing, I’ll consider the entry void. Other...

CamThink NeoEyes NE301 – An ultra-low-power, STM32N6-based Edge AI camera

CamThink NeoEyes NE301 is an ultra-low-power Edge AI camera built around the STM32N6 Arm Cortex-M55 MCU with Neural-ART NPU that “offers significantly enhanced features and performance” compared to the company’s earlier ESP32-S3-based NeoEyes NE101. The camera ships with a 4MP MIPI CSI camera sensor by default, but USB camera sensors are also supported. It also features 64MB PSRAM, 128MB hyperflash, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 wireless connectivity, optional support for a 4G LTE module (global or US), audio wafers, USB-C and UART debug, a 16-pin GPIO header, and support for either USB, battery, or PoE power. CamThink NeoEyes 301 specifications:...

WCH BLE Analyzer Pro – A Bluetooth LE sniffer, analyzer, and debugging tool

WCH BLE Analyzer Pro is a USB-based Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) sniffer and debugging tool designed to capture, decode, and analyze BLE communication packets in real-time. The analyzer supports adjustable polling intervals, broadcast and connection packet tracking, address filtering, and detailed packet inspection with statistics and graphical representation. It can monitor BLE broadcast and connection data in real-time and includes functions such as PHY mode selection and whitening control. These features enable low-level monitoring of BLE communication, help identify transmission issues, and verify protocol behavior. Applications include use in R&D, testing, and debugging of Bluetooth-enabled products such as IoT devices,...

It's not that hard to stop a Trane

It's not that hard to stop a Trane

Six years ago, I replaced the old HVAC system that came with our house, a central forced air system installed in 19951.

The new system is a Trane XR AC paired with an S9V2 96% efficiency forced-air gas furnace. And it ran great! Better efficiency, quieter, multiple fan speeds so I can circulate air and prevent stale air in some parts of the house... what's not to love?

Well, apparently the engineering:

E-book Bellows

[Concept] Dynamically deflatable

iLabs Challenger+ RP2040 LoRa Mk II Adds Upgraded Power Architecture and BConnect Expansion

iLabs has released the Challenger+ RP2040 LoRa Mk II, an upgraded Feather-format microcontroller board that combines the Raspberry Pi RP2040 with an RFM95W LoRa radio module. The new revision refines the original design with improved noise isolation, enhanced power distribution, and added modular connectivity options. The board features a redesigned power supply with separate power […]

Turris Omnia NG Introduced with OpenWRT-Derived OS, Wi-Fi 7, and 10 Gbps Networking

CZ.NIC has launched the Turris Omnia NG router, described as a new open-source device focused on security, performance, and modularity. It features a quad-core processor, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and M.2-based expandability, targeting users who require a long-lasting and adaptable networking platform. The Omnia NG is powered by a quad-core ARMv8 processor operating at 2.2 GHz […]

Bauble

The Bauble is a spherical festive decoration with 16 coloured LEDs that you can program to flash in different patterns:

The Bauble is a flashing decoration based on an AVR32DD28
that can display a variety of patterns.

It consists of two identical circular PCBs that slot together to create a three dimensional circuit; each PCB contains eight LEDs of four different colours, and one of the PCBs houses the microcontroller and battery, 

The Bauble started with the idea of creating a three-dimensional circuit by combining PCBs. It is constructed from two copies of the same circular PCB that slot together:

The two boards...