Version 1.24.0 - Beta 1

This release is based upon MicroPython 1.24.0 which introduces, among other things, support for the RP2350 chip found in the Pico 2 and our own boards. Since RP2350 is new, and we've been busy working on various new features and bugfixes to accompany it, this release should be considered beta.

⚠️ None of the builds in this release include RP2350 support- things are still a little experimental in that department. If you've got a shiny new RP2350 board you should go here: https://github.com/pimoroni/pimoroni-pico-rp2350/releases/latest

Doing A Thing With PPP

You'll notice a new "ppp" build, this includes MicroPython's new PPP support, leveraging UART to talk to networking modules like our Clipper LTE Breakout. We need a standalone build for this because PPP and networking support are bulky, requiring a 1MB/1MB filesystem split.

See https://github.com/pimoroni/pimoroni-pico-rp2350/blob/main/micropython/examples/pico_plus_2/breakouts/lte-catfacts.py for an example of how to get the LTE module up and running with Pico!

⚠️ Flashing the "ppp" build to an existing Pico board will erase your filesystem. Back up first!

PicoVector Changes Again

We've completely overhauled PicoVector more or less from the ground up, this includes changes to drawing operations, font formats and a whole bunch of plumbing changes which render it quite incompatible with old PicoVector code. If you've got some existing code you want to port over, chime in on #1026

PicoGraphics Layers

We've introduced the concept of layers into PicoGraphics. This is a fairly memory intensive feature that lets you create a PicoGraphics instance with multiple drawing layers. It doesn't have much practical use on RP2040 builds - ie: most of the boards supported here - but can be very useful on the RP2350. Documentation and examples are scarce while we work out how it fits into the bigger picture.

Non-blocking Inky Frame

Inky Frame has gained a non-blocking mode, so you can put that 20-second refresh time to better use. Find out more at #936

What's Changed

• Add SPI import to SD card upload example by @johnbintz in #960
• AS7343 examples tidy by @helgibbons in #961
• Documentation: RV3028 by @thirdr in #955
• Move nano specs hack into our module cmake files. by @Gadgetoid in #968
• docs: add link to readme by @helgibbons in #969
• Docs: update GFX Pack readme by @helgibbons in #972
• Picographics: Update README.md by @helgibbons in #977
• Pico Display 2.8": Update examples by @helgibbons in #973
• CI: Pin SDK version to 1.5.1. by @Gadgetoid in #979
• CI: Bump Pico SDK to 2.0.0. 🎉 by @Gadgetoid in #980
• Tinyweb: Sync with upstream. by @Gadgetoid in #986
• Pico Display 2.x: example menus by @thirdr in #982
• Update setup instructions for macOS by @stephenhouser in #991
• as7343: Fix channel and status order. by @Gadgetoid in #993
• Pico Display 2.x: Fixed button function by @thirdr in #1003
• Plasma Stick 2040 W: add link by @helgibbons in #1016
• More fixes for SDK 2.0.0 by @Gadgetoid in #1008
• CI: Switch to action-gh-release. by @Gadgetoid in #1018
• Allow spritesheets for PenRGB565 by @waffshappen in #959
• A roundup of not necessarily related fixes from other branches by @Gadgetoid in #1020
• Add Garbage Collection to weather example by @LeePorte in #974
• Fix linting fail. by @Gadgetoid in #1021
• Bump to MicroPython v1.24.0 by @Gadgetoid in #1024
• fix: [url] placekitten.com is down, someone created a drop in replacement, placecats.com by @SteveClement in #1022

New Contributors

• @johnbintz made their first contribution in #960
• @stephenhouser made their first contribution in #991
• @waffshappen made their first contribution in #959
• @LeePorte made their first contribution in #974
• @SteveClement made their first contribution in #1022

Full Changelog: v1.23.0-1...v1.24.0-rc0
MicroPython Changelog: micropython/micropython@v1.23.0...v1.24.0