Tinkering with IoT, One Project at a Time
Can an AI assistant write working firmware for your next Arduino project? That’s the question I asked myself after seeing the new Arduino AI Assistant launch inside Arduino Cloud. I’ve used ChatGPT successfully in dozens of projects—from BLE to Wi-Fi automation—but how would Arduino’s own AI stack up? To find out, I gave both tools … Read more
This system allows you to control a physical barrier using a mobile-friendly web interface. Admins generate guest PINs. Guests enter them through the browser. No hardware keypad. No cloud subscriptions. Just ESP32, Wi-Fi, and a modern user experience. This is not just a prototype or tutorial — it’s a fully deployed system controlling a real … Read more
Introduction: A Smarter Way to Open Our Shared Barrier In our quiet private street, 20 households share a single automated barrier gate. For years, we relied on outdated remotes, NFC keyfobs, or even phone calls to let people in — all of which felt increasingly clunky as smart technology became more accessible. I wanted something … Read more
Smart plugs, lights, sensors, and cameras — our homes are packed with connected devices. But how secure are they, really? In response to growing cybersecurity risks, the European Union is launching mandatory EU IoT security labels for smart devices starting in 2025. This new rule won’t just affect big manufacturers. If you’re into flashing ESP32 … Read more
Last year, my family and I spent a few days in Italy, staying at a small vineyard in the countryside. It wasn’t anything fancy—just a few guest rooms, a stunning view of the hills, and some of the best wine I’ve ever tasted. What made it truly memorable, though, were the people. We got to … Read more
Wi-Fi HaLow is finally hitting the market—and it might reshape how we build long-range, low-power IoT networks. But where does that leave the trusty ESP32? Is HaLow a LoRa killer, or just another “smart fridge” protocol? In this article, we’ll break down what Wi-Fi HaLow is, how it stacks up against LoRa, ESP-NOW, and classic … Read more
Introduction If you’re tired of smart devices that only work with cloud apps or closed platforms, it might be time to take back control — and Tasmota ESP32 is one of the best ways to do it. Tasmota is an open-source firmware that gives you full control over your devices using MQTT, web interfaces, and … Read more
When I started building IoT devices, the wireless part always tripped me up. Wi-Fi felt like the obvious go-to, but then I’d see tutorials using Bluetooth or LoRa instead—and suddenly I wasn’t so sure.
If you’re in that spot, this guide is for you. I’ll break down how Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (especially BLE), and LoRa work, what radios and frequencies they use, and how to decide which one fits your project best.
The ESP32 isn’t just Wi-Fi-capable—it also comes with built-in Bluetooth Classic and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). That makes it ideal for a whole range of wireless projects, from audio streaming to smart home automation.
If you’re just diving into Bluetooth projects, this post is for you. I’ve collected 10 DIY ESP32 Bluetooth/BLE projects you can build right now. Some are quick weekend builds, others are great for learning about low-power communications and BLE services.
Let’s dive in.
If you’ve ever played around with ESP32 boards, you know Espressif doesn’t sleep. Their updates always bring something useful for the tinkering community—and this year’s lineup is no exception.
So, let’s unpack what’s new in 2025 and why these updates could change the way we build.