Exploring The New RP2350 Chip: Top Third-Party Dev Boards

The Raspberry Pi RP2350 chip is a significant advancement to its predecessor, the RP2040. Known for its versatility and performance, this new chip has garnered attention for its ability to power a wide range of applications, from simple hobbyist projects to complex industrial systems.

Watch Ian talk about RP2350 based third party devboards in this episode of The Electromaker Show

Even before the official launch of the RP2350, several third-party manufacturers have been working diligently to develop compatible boards. These early efforts highlight the chip's potential and have led to a variety of innovative development boards, each tailored to specific needs and use cases in the community.

Noteworthy Third-Party RP2350 Boards

Adafruit Feather RP2350: The Adafruit Feather RP2350 retains the familiar Feather form factor, making it a popular choice among Adafruit fans. This board features 8MB of flash memory, ensuring ample space for larger projects. Additionally, it includes onboard battery management, allowing seamless integration into portable devices. The Feather RP2350 is also fully compatible with Adafruit’s Feather Wings, which expands its functionality for a variety of applications.

Seeed Studio Xiao RP2350: The Seeed Studio Xiao RP2350 is designed for projects that require a compact and efficient solution. With 2MB of flash memory and 19 breakout pins, this board offers enhanced functionality despite its small size. The Xiao RP2350 is ideal for developers who need a powerful, yet small form factor board for tasks that demand precision and space efficiency.

Pimoroni Tiny 2350 and SparkFun Pro Micro RP2350: Both the Pimoroni Tiny 2350 and SparkFun Pro Micro RP2350 are small form factor boards that pack a lot of power into a compact design. The Tiny 2350 is exceptionally small, making it perfect for tight spaces, while the Pro Micro RP2350 features the familiar SparkFun Pro Micro form factor, offering an easy transition for those already using SparkFun’s ecosystem. Each board is tailored to specific use cases, from hobbyist projects to more intricate, professional-grade applications.

RP2350 in Industry and Specialized Use-Cases

RP2350 Stamp by Solder Party: The RP2350 Stamp by Solder Party is designed for seamless integration into PCBs, making it an excellent choice for both hobbyists and professionals. This module simplifies the process of adding the RP2350 chip to custom projects, as it handles all the necessary external components. Available in multiple variants, including one with 48 GPIO pins and another with enhanced flash memory, the RP2350 Stamp is versatile and adaptable for a wide range of applications.

Bus Pirate 6: The RP2350 chip powers the latest iteration of the Bus Pirate, a tool beloved by hardware hackers. The Bus Pirate 6 takes advantage of the RP2350’s enhanced capabilities to offer improved logic analysis, allowing for more accurate and detailed debugging of electronic components. This makes it an indispensable tool for those working on complex hardware projects that require precise control and monitoring.

Thumby Color: The Thumby Color is a tiny gaming console that brings retro gaming to a new level, thanks to the power of the RP2350 chip. Despite its small size, the Thumby Color offers a rich gaming experience, complete with a vibrant color display and haptic feedback. This console is highly customizable, allowing users to program their own games or modify existing ones, making it a favorite in the retro gaming community.

The RP2350 chip has proven to be a game-changer in both the maker and industrial communities, significantly expanding the possibilities for developers. Its versatile application across various third-party boards highlights its potential to drive innovation, whether in small-scale projects or complex industrial systems. As more developers adopt this chip, the RP2350 is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of embedded technology.

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