Nordic nRF52840
I have 2 of the Nordic tiny dev boards in the USB form factor, NRF52840-DONGLE from Digikey, about $10 each.
Nordic Getting startedguide
They can do Zigbee, which is why I got them and of course have done nothing with so far.
Loading Circuit Python
The nrf52840 supports USB making it easy to program.
I can put CircuitPython on it. Install the dev tools: nRF Connect for desktop Use that to install the programmer.
Install bootloader
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_nRF52_Bootloader/blob/master/README.md
- Plug it in.
- Press the tiny reset button to put it in bootloader mode.
After getting the board to connect as a mass storage device then I can put
Circuit Python onto it.
I think for this board, I will need to install their bootloader too.
My first project: HID Keyboard
When I got CircuitPython running I put the "Hello world" app on there and changed it to playback my long and complex password. That's it for this project!
It powers on and becomes an HID keyboard in about 2 seconds and then on each button press it plays my password. Ta-da!
Other ways I could do this: I could use a Adafruit RP2040 Feather for $10. I already got it going on an Adafruit Circuit Playground Express $25.
It's about what's in my junk drawer inventory, not what it costs. The nRF is a handy form factor. A Pi Zero for $5 would work but I don't own one and it would require booting Linux so it would be too slow. I did try out the HID keyboard thing on a Pi Zero W. Too complicated. A $4 Pico would work but does it have a button?
