Pixl.js – The Latest Addition to the Espruino Family

Espruino is a small computer that anyone can use to control things around it. Its JavaScript interpreter gives you instant feedback so that you can experiment and develop whatever your level of experience. Even if you can’t program, you can still get started quickly with the web-based graphical code editor! The Espruino family started with one board that promised so much potential after the first launch of the Espuiro Original, their first board but have seen grow from the original to several other boards like the Pico, Puck.js and the latest addition is the Pixl.js.

Espruino boards have known famously for their ability to be programmed with Javascript. They are described as the Board for the Web, codename Javascript for the Things. The new Pixl.js brings a new approach to the Espruino boards with the introduction of a small LCD, unlike its earlier predecessors which can be handy for playing some simple games.

The Pixl.js is a Bluetooth LE device with a connected display and is based around the Nordic Semiconductor nRF42832 SoC. The nRF52832 SoC is a powerful, highly flexible ultra-low power multiprotocol SoC. The nRF52832 SoC is built around a 32-bit ARM® Cortex™-M4F CPU with 512kB + 64kB RAM. The embedded 2.4GHz transceiver supports Bluetooth Low Energy, ANT, and proprietary 2.4 GHz protocol stack.

The Pixl.js can talk and control other Bluetooth LE devices making it a good option for mesh networking applications. It can act as a wireless display, a conference badge, or as a notification message console. The board measures about 60mm × 53mm × 15mm and the LCD is a 128×64-pixel monochrome display that features a white backlight. The board is very power friendly and can be powered from an attached micro USB connector and a CR2032 coin cell battery which can give it a whopping 20-day life of juice.

The Pixl.js board comes with some similar Arduino footprint. It has a standard Arduino GPIO header beneath it making it able to interface with existing Arduino shields. The board packs a lot of features and doesn’t even require a driver when plugged into a computer.

Below are some of the features of the Pixl.js:

• Bluetooth Low Energy
• Espruino JavaScript interpreter pre-installed
• nRF52832 SoC – 64MHz ARM Cortex M4, 64kB RAM, 512kB Flash
• 54mm diagonal, 128 x 64 Sunlight readable monochrome display with white backlight
• 20x GPIO in Arduino footprint (capable of PWM, SPI, I2C, UART, Analog Input)
• Support for GSM, LTE, WiFi and Ethernet Arduino shields
• 3v to 16v input range
• CR2032 battery holder (20 days battery life with LCD on), or Micro USB (power only)
• 4x 3mm mounting holes
• 4x Buttons
• Built in thermometer and battery level sensors
• NFC tag programmable from JavaScript
• Dimensions: 60mm x 53mm x 15mm

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