🔧 Tool of the Week
ESP‑GenUI
A lightweight, browser-based drag‑and‑drop designer that generates complete ESP32 web‑server sketches (Arduino or ESP‑IDF) and can compile/flash over WebSerial. Good for makers who want a quick device UI without hand‑writing routes and HTML. 🔗 https://espgenui.com/
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🛒 Deals & Finds
- Espressif ESP32‑C6 WROOM modules (Mouser)
– Stocked modules with low unit prices if you buy small quantities — useful when you need Wi‑Fi 6 / RISC‑V module samples for prototypes. 🔗 https://www.mouser.com/c/?series=ESP32
- JLCPCB promo & coupon roundup
– Fast turn PCB protos remain the cheapest way to iterate. Check current coupon pages before you order (use for quick 2‑layer runs or assembly experiments). 🔗 https://www.couponannie.com/stores/jlcpcb
- RP2040‑Zero / RP2040‑Tiny style boards (cheap clones)
– Tiny RP2040 boards with USB‑C make excellent low‑cost controllers for HID, tiny dataloggers, and quick proof‑of‑concepts. Good pickup for <$6 each from overseas sellers. 🔗 https://lectronz.com/products/rp2040-zero-clone
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🧪 Cool Build
Pocket Raspberry Pi Camera (Pi Zero family)
A compact, 3D‑printed pocket camera using a Pi Zero/Zero 2 W with trimmed OS and camera optimizations — practical if you want a simple, offline camera with physical controls. Useful build for learning memory‑constrained software and small‑SBC power management. 🔗 https://www.hackster.io/news/karmmah-s-raspberry-pi-powered-pocket-camera-runs-on-raspberry-pi-os-lite-for-memory-efficiency-304bcbdfcf2e
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📚 Worth Reading
- Circuit board ground plane and power plane guide (JLCPCB) – Practical layout rules for return paths, decoupling placement, plane stitching, and stackup choices. Worth scanning before your next mixed‑signal board. 🔗 https://jlcpcb.com/blog/circuit-board-ground-plane-and-power-plane-guide-2026
- A GUI solution for ESP32 web development (Hackaday) – Short writeup and context on ESP‑GenUI; quick read if you want to see practical use‑cases and limitations. 🔗 https://hackaday.com/2026/06/26/a-gui-solution-for-esp32-web-development/
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⚡ Quick Hits
- DIY debugger archive: curated schematics/firmware for JTAG/SWD probes — handy if you build your own probe. 🔗 https://github.com/konosubakonoakua/FPGA_MCU_Debugger_Collections
- probe‑rs (active Rust tooling for probes/flash/debug) — keeps improving; good alternative to OpenOCD for many workflows. 🔗 https://github.com/probe-rs/probe-rs
- Quick refresher on ESP32 OTA methods (web, ArduinoOTA, server‑pull) — practical when you need field updates. 🔗 https://dronebotworkshop.com/esp32-ota/
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📺 Cool Videos
- EEVblog — Power Rail Probing & Oscilloscope DC Offset EXPLAINED
– Hands‑on demo for measuring power rails, offset tricks, and probe choices; must‑watch before you probe switching supplies. 🔗 https://www.eevblog.com/2026/02/20/eevblog-1735-power-rail-probing-oscilloscope-dc-offset-explained/
- DroneBot Workshop — ESP32 OTA Update demos (writeup + video embeds)
– Short walkthrough of three OTA approaches you can reuse in prototypes. 🔗 https://dronebotworkshop.com/esp32-ota/