Raspberry Pi’s game-changing updates: Pico 2 W and CM5 redefine DIY tech

If you like programming and building things, the Raspberry Pi is one of the best additions to any workshop. Hobbyists, educators, and developers can use them for a wide range of DIY projects, allowing you to create everything from a digital clock to a robot. This month, they’ve come out with some new updates that make it even more unbelievable. Keep reading to find out more.

Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W: Tiny, wireless, and powerful

The release of the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W on November 25, 2024, brought some big enhancements to the world of microcontrollers. This $7 device adds Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 capabilities to the Pico 2, opening up a wealth of possibilities for Internet of Things (IoT) projects.

For the DIY community, this microcontroller is a big deal, allowing you to add wireless capabilities to your projects and giving you a lot of features at a low cost.

Compute Module 5: Embedded computing redefined

The November 27, 2024, launch of the Compute Module 5 (CM5) expands Raspberry Pi’s offerings in the embedded computing space. Designed for more complex industrial applications, the CM5 is built around the Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core Cortex-A76 processor, operating at 2.4 GHz. The module offers up to 16GB of RAM in its higher configurations, providing the power needed for demanding workloads.

Starting at $45, the CM5 is a powerful tool for industries and developers working on IoT gateways, AI applications, and complex automation systems. For those in the DIY space, the CM5 enables experimentation with industrial-grade computing at a fraction of the usual cost.

Exploring the latest science and tech innovations: From AI to DIY projects

What this means for the DIY community and developers

For the DIY community, the Pico 2 W’s wireless connectivity allows us to explore IoT and smart technology more easily than ever. The CM5’s performance capabilities bring industrial-grade computing power to the hands of developers working on more ambitious projects.

Both products are affordable and can have a big impact on your future projects, further establishing the people behind Raspberry Pi as a leader in affordable computing and development tools.

What is the Raspberry Pi Pico 2

The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is the second-generation microcontroller board from Raspberry Pi, building on the foundation of the original Raspberry Pi Pico. The people at Raspberry Pi designed it to provide more power, flexibility, and compatibility with modern applications while maintaining the affordability and compact size that made the original Pico popular.

The Pico 2 uses the RP2350 chip, which is a dual-core processor. This chip supports both Arm Cortex-M architecture and the emerging RISC-V architecture. It’s the same as the Pico 2 W but does not have the wireless capabilities.

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