New firmware release 0.9.5.b1, Pymate iOS released and improved docs

[daniel]

Dear All,

I'm pleased to announce the release of firmware version 0.9.5.b1. The change log is:

• Actually store the SSID of the AP we are connected to.
• ssl module implemented with client and server side certificate validation.
• Fix bug when initializing and setting values of pins > 31. Thanks to @LoneTech for this!
• Fix bug related to the LoRa HAL Timer.
• Fix soft-reset bug related to threading.
• Fix the floating point division bug.

The new firmware update tool can be found here: https://www.pycom.io/support/supportdownloads/ (under Firmware Updates)

We also released Pymate for Android for beta testing. Instructions to sign up can be found here: https://forum.pycom.io/topic/282/pymate-beta-for-android-now-available

Last but not least, we are working hard on improving the documentation, we have put in place a new getting started section, a much better structure and we are overhauling the content in general. It's still work in progress, but please go ahead and have a look here:

https://docs.pycom.io/pycom_esp32

...and specially here with the new getting started section:

https://docs.pycom.io/pycom_esp32/pycom_esp32/getstarted.html

Cheers,
Daniel

[livius]

Upgrade go ok without any problem

but documentation is now more limited than previous
i see no samples how to use particular modules like I2C, SPI, PIN...

ah i see it is now in "Micropython specific libraries" section

[daniel]

The new docs are work-in-progress, but we expect to have everything fully documented by mid next week. Please refer to the "old" docs in the mean time. Thanks.

[betabrain]

It's good to see the docs being worked on. Having some basic facts and stats and simple examples at the beginning of the documentation makes it more approachable. Good work!

One issue: What's under the hood and the LoPy Product Page have some differences. Don't forget to make SHA and AES available, and don't hurry with DES (shouldn't be used since 20? years ago)

[livius]

DES is really good - and it cost is minimal
AES have much more overhead and sometimes it is too big.

[daniel]

@betabrain thanks, we are also aware that we have to clean-up lots of inconsistencies between the website and the docs. We have plans to do that next week too.

[betabrain]

@livius Why use encryption if its so weak everyone can read it? ;-)

DES can be broken in under 24h. See this stack exchange thread from 2011. Since then the price/performance ratio has improved dramatically. Last I heard was that triple DES is theoretically still ok, but it is computationally more expensive than AES. Besides, ESP32 has hardware AES support. For messages smaller than the block size, I would look into stream ciphers modes.

I'm sure you know this. I mainly rebute your "DES is really good" for the benefit of readers without any crypto knowledge. Disclaimer: I'm no crypto expert either, but I value privacy.

[livius]

@betabrain
It depends on the application
If the data falls only a few hours it is ok
Or if the only requirement is not broadcast in plain text in order not to facilitate someone for so much.
Although if AES is supported by hardware(accelerated) it actually does not make sense to use DES

[jmaralc]

Hi everyone,

here a newbie in Pycom. About the update I have a question. It is related to the serial port. If I connect the WiPy 2.0 through the expansion board and from there by USB to the USB port in my computer. What is the serial port? I have used arduino and it provide an automatic communication through serial port despite you connected by USB to the computer.

I need a serial port for the udpate...and I know, perhaps it is a easy question :)

Thanks.

[livius]

@jmaralc
if you attach to usb on your computer then it is installed as COM port.
When you run updater then it provide COM port choose.
remember that to update you must connect GND and G23 on your expanson board with simple wire.

[jmaralc]

@livius Thanks for the answer.
The problem is exactly that I connect the board with the USB and it is not installed as COM port....symply the system does not recognize it. I tried in three computer the three with linux and windows....I can use pymakr and load the examples of the tutorials but the computers are not recognizing the board. I tried also with different USB cables....any idea?

[alangman]

Hi @Daniel. I just updated my WiFy 2.0 to the latest firmware version (1. I noticed that I cannot find the RTC module.

If I import machine and then do a dir(machine); RTC class seems to be missing.

Best

Alan

[jmaralc]

@jmaralc In deed I am noticing that I can not connect with pymakr with the serial COM, I did it this morning but through the wifi.....Could it be a defective board?

[livius]

No - pymakr have problem connecting by COM

[jmaralc]

@livius And any suggestion for the board not being detected by any computer/system after connecting it with USB? Any special USB cable is needed? Could you show me a screenshot of how the device list should look like in case of a proper detection?
Thanks and sorry for the extra work. I was eager to work on the board....I am still but more frustrated.

[jmaralc]

@livius Just some good news. In Ubuntu, I manage to connect the board through the serial port (COM) with the updater and the pymakr. I notice that the port was /dev/ttyUSB0 and I could type it in the linux updater and worked fine.
Thanks for the help. Motivation comes up again!

[jmaralc]

May I ask which USB cable do you use to connect the board? I lost the connection again with the same cable in Ubuntu, not accessible any more.....

[livius]

@jmaralc
best use expansion board
if you have not one then use any converter - e.g. - remember about voltage 3V3

[jmaralc]

@livius Thanks Livius. I am already using the expansion board (the Wipy 2.0 is plugged in).

Still no solution...next time today after work. I have some ideas in mind that this board could help a lot but.....well let see whether it improves or at least I manage to solve my problems

Cheers

[livius]

I work on Windows and there are no problems with updater
If you connect GND + GP23 by wire
and turn power on(or reset WiPy)
and you run Firmware Updater - it work for me without problem with Expansion Board