New Release 2.00.6

[PeterN]

If my vote , no … my kind advice is requested, here is my perspective:

Annex has matured and is now well-equipped to operate within the standard IoT environment.
This project is your hobby and your free time-so please feel free to pursue whatever interests you most, as long as you enjoy it!
I would suggest closing development for the legacy versions with version 1.8, and focusing your energy on the ESP32-S3 (or any future platforms that may arise).

[jctcba]

Dear Francesco:

I'm not the best person to comment on the advisability or continued development of Annex, and I can understand that in circumstances like these, even the most dedicated and determined man feel discouraged.

But I'd like to tell you a -supposedly true- story that I read a long time ago, in print—I don't remember in which magazine, I think it was Reader's Digest. I was never able to find subsequent references to the story, but I still find it interesting:

Some time after General DeGaulle had lost the election to continue leading France, retired from politics and tired of the long struggles, he granted a meeting to a journalist, one of those who want to shine more than the personality they're interviewing.

After some time asking about the final events of the old leader's political career, the journalist asked a curious question: he asked if the General had made mistakes.

DeGaulle replied that of course, but always trying to do the best.

Then the journalist asked him if he had made a bigger mistake than the Apotarg Project.

That project, spearheaded by DeGaulle, had been an attempt to develop a modern, supersonic aircraft for France's air force, allowing it to be independent of foreign suppliers who might decide to sell... or not, planes to France. It was a project to strengthen national sovereignty.

The journalist knew that the Apotarg Project had to be suspended after several years of work, without having achieved its objective, and used by DeGaulle's opponents as a strong argument against him and an example of the failure of DeGaulle's political vision. To conclude the question, the journalist pointed out that the Apotarg, as the plane was to be called, never flew.

DeGaulle, although annoyed, replied:

"You're right. The Apotarg never flew. But it left its eggs. And from them came the Fleuret, the Mirage, and many other aircraft developed by human resources trained in the "failed" project..."

I can't tell where or when. But I'm sure that Annex—if it's ultimately canceled—will also leave its mark...

Annex is much more than most similar suites of other "modern" languages.

PeterN says "...Annex has matured and is now well-equipped to operate within the standard IoT environment. ..."

I couldn't agree more. Strictly speaking, I think it's more than well-equipped: it's by far the most complete, flexible, and fastest environment for developing and prototyping IoT projects... and much more.

That said, I'll soon be updating my work on the amateur rocket flight computer ([Local Link Removed for Guests]). Best regards,

[cicciocb]

Thank you for these kind words of support for the Annex project.
It really means a lot to me, and I can see that there is a small group of people who care about this project.
Of course, it was rather unimaginable to think we could get feedback from 50 people as we remain a small group, but that’s enough to keep things moving forward.
I have received donations from some of you, 6 exactly, thank you; for me, this has more moral than financial value, because it shows that 6 of you give value at this project, which is important to me. It’s true, six isn’t a lot, and honestly, that does leave a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth. But anyway, I’m going to keep looking on the bright side of things.
In any case, I have no intention of abandoning the project, only of focusing on what is most interesting and useful for this small group.

I'll certainly release a version for all the modules without the LVGL (to remain within the partition size limit) but I would like to release a version with LVGL for the modules with TFT, touch and SDCARD (style ESP32-2432S028, ...), in particular with these modules hacked with an external PSRAM.

edited

The number is 9 so far ....

[karlkloss]

(style ESP32-2432S028, ...), in particular with these modules hacked with an external PSRAM.

Is external PSRAM only enough to get these boards running?
I've extended some of them with external PSRAM, but not with Flash. I've already wanted to try to add both.
Has anybody already done this?

On the other hand, these boards are very limited when it comes to available IO ports, and adding external Flash and RAM takes about as long as
soldering a prototype board with ESP32-S3 module and ILI9341/XPT2046 TFT, and the price is about the same.

Also, the external memory ICs cost additional money, and soldering them isn't very beginner friendly, so I don't really recommend it for newbies.

[karlkloss]

I'm trying to flash V2(.00.6) to an ESP32-S3-FH4R2 board (ESP32-S3 with integrated 4MB Flash and 2MB RAM), but it doesn't boot up.
Is the LVGL version even meant to run with that memory configuration?
If so, how?

Another (Mini-) board with ESP32-S3 and both 8MB Flash and RAM (XIAO ESP32-S3) runs fine.

Probably this module requires a QSPI firmware so it is not supported in the current version.
At the same time 4MB of flash is also not supported.

Indeed, the FH4R2 version has QSPI. I wasn't aware of this. The internal (extended) flash is always QSPI for the ESP32-S3.
Interesting table. Buyers beware.
Otherwise a good choice for compact boards, but in this case not.

Nevertheless I wonder how much I could do with such a board, without the OTA partition.
On the other hand, a similar board with 8MB Flash and 8MB RAM (like the XIAO S3) costs not so much more and runs just fine, so what.

Would you like to add a (sticky) thread where people can post pictures and experiences of compatible/not compatible boards?
It'd surely help new users to buy the right hardware.

grafik.png

[cicciocb]

(style ESP32-2432S028, ...), in particular with these modules hacked with an external PSRAM.

Is external PSRAM only enough to get these boards running?
I've extended some of them with external PSRAM, but not with Flash. I've already wanted to try to add both.
Has anybody already done this?

On the other hand, these boards are very limited when it comes to available IO ports, and adding external Flash and RAM takes about as long as
soldering a prototype board with ESP32-S3 module and ILI9341/XPT2046 TFT, and the price is about the same.

Also, the external memory ICs cost additional money, and soldering them isn't very beginner friendly, so I don't really recommend it for newbies.

The only reason is that these modules are very cheap (the CYD) (I bought some for very cheap, around 5€ if I remember well) and hacking with a PSRAM is not very complicate.
In fact LVGL can work without the PSRAM but the ram available will not be sufficient to show big images but only little icons.

However, it is not possible to extend the flash as it is inside the ESP32-WROOM module itself and putting another externally is not possible; you should open the module and replace the flash inside (feasible but not for all )

image.png

[Michel Alexander]

I also sent a financial injection for the great work! I hope that other users will also make a small donation!

[Oli]

I have a few questions about the PSRAM,
how important is it? I'm currently testing with LVGL, but I'm not really getting anywhere with mp3 and audio stram either,
I think it's due to too little RAM to function stably.
can you simply solder a chip onto the ESP32-2432S028R, for example? or what do you have to consider, and which chips? ali offers ESP-PSRAM64H SOP8,
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005008187477410.html
I've also heard of W25Q128JVSIQ, some then need even more IO pins and software, which I don't want. it would be nice if it could simply go into the space provided.

[cicciocb]

Yes, the RAM is very important and the PSRAM can be a great benefit.

There is a post where this has already been discussed some time ago :
[Local Link Removed for Guests]

I personally did this update on one of these 2.8" modules.

[Starraker]

This PSRAM mod can (and should) also be done to the bigger brother ESP32-3248S035C see:

[Local Link Removed for Guests]

I also did this mod (or should I say series of mods) to both of the modules that I own. These mods are easy to do if you can handle a soldering iron and exercise some care.

For the Australian and New Zealand members here is the place to get the chip (from Sydney and they are good to deal with - mine arrived a couple of days after ordering and they checked that I had received received them in good order):