Phew, there’s still time! Tomorrow’s Sunday though and I usually go shopping. Maybe next week?

I wonder which IoT devices are affected, beyond DIY, that people actually use in North America.

The ESP32 chip, developed by Espressif Systems, is widely used in various IoT (Internet of Things), embedded systems, and consumer electronics due to its low power consumption, built-in Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, and high processing capability.

Devices That Use the ESP32 Chip

1. Development Boards & Microcontrollers

ESP32 DevKit series (official Espressif boards)

M5Stack and M5Stick series

Adafruit HUZZAH32

SparkFun ESP32 Thing

LilyGO T-Series (T-Display, T-SIM, T-Watch, etc.)

WEMOS Lolin D32/D32 Pro

2. Smart Home & IoT Devices

Sonoff Smart Switches and Plugs (e.g., Sonoff Mini R3, Sonoff S31)

Shelly Smart Relays (e.g., Shelly 1, Shelly 2.5)

Tuya-Based Smart Devices (many smart home products use Tuya firmware on ESP32)

Air quality monitors (e.g., AirGradient open-source air sensors)

IoT Sensor Hubs (various DIY and commercial solutions)

3. Wearables & Portable Devices

TTGO T-Watch (ESP32-based smartwatch)

Heltec WiFi Kit Series (LoRa-enabled IoT devices)

Fitness trackers (some DIY and prototype models)

4. Robotics & DIY Electronics

ESP32-CAM (ESP32-based camera module)

DIY drones & robots (used in hobbyist and educational robotics)

3D Printer controllers (e.g., ESP32-based Klipper controllers)

5. Industrial & Commercial Products

ESP32-based vending machines (wireless payment systems)

Smart irrigation controllers

Energy monitoring devices (e.g., OpenEnergyMonitor)

Smart locks & security systems

6. Audio & Multimedia Devices

ESP32-based web radios

DIY Bluetooth speakers

Smart light controllers with voice assistants

Why Is ESP32 Popular?

✔ Low-cost & powerful (dual-core, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) ✔ Great for DIY & commercial IoT applications ✔ Strong developer community & open-source support ✔ Compatible with Arduino, MicroPython, ESP-IDF, etc.

Marco: you fired air traffic controllers, Emu!

Emu: nuh-uh

Yes, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has initiated significant changes within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including the dismissal of numerous air traffic controllers and safety officials.

Key Developments:

February 5, 2025: Following a mid-air collision over the Potomac River, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced DOGE’s intervention in the FAA to “upgrade our aviation system.” Elon Musk emphasized plans to implement “rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.”

February 17, 2025: Reports confirmed that Elon Musk authorized the termination of hundreds of FAA safety officials. David Spero, President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, criticized these actions, highlighting potential national safety risks.

Additionally, SpaceX employees were assigned to the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center, raising concerns about conflicts of interest due to ongoing disputes between Musk’s companies and the FAA.

These measures have sparked debates regarding the implications for air traffic safety and the potential conflicts arising from Musk’s dual roles in private aerospace ventures and federal oversight.

Okay, but these are totally different! They’re a fresh new idea! They’re not even called company towns! And we’ll pay workers in crypto! No one will own anything! Except me! See?! Totally different!

/s in case it’s not clear lol

FTFY

“All players, no matter which country they play in, get paid in U.S. dollars,” Bettman told CNBC’s Becky Quick on Squawk Box on Wednesday. “So if the impact of the tariffs is to see the Canadian dollar drop relative to the U.S. dollar, it will make it more difficult and more painful.”

Okay, but we put a tariff on our Canadian labour and we get 25% bonus. Win-con!

Electoral reform also only works if people vote.

“In reality, there is no such thing as not voting: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some Diehard’s vote.” ~ David Foster Wallace

This is a great way to create jobs for the SS recipients. /s