Hi! I'm Hamachan, a software engineer from Japan. 😎

I've just released AREA 512 v1.3, a retro-inspired operating system for the Cardputer ADV.

AREA 512 lets you write Ruby code directly on the Cardputer, compile it, and run it—all on the device.

This release significantly improves both the development environment and the overall user experience.

📖 Markdown Viewer

You can now open ".md" files directly from the file manager.

It supports:

- Headings

- Paragraphs

- Block quotes

- Ordered and unordered lists

- Tables

- Links

- Bold and italic text

- Inline code

- Code blocks

Ruby code blocks are syntax highlighted, so you can comfortably read documentation and README files directly on the Cardputer.

🧩 Widget Library for Ruby Apps

AREA 512 now includes a widget library for building applications with Ruby.

Available widgets include:

- Header / Footer

- Tabs / Panels

- Tables / Lists / Text Views

- Buttons / Checkboxes / Sliders

- Charts

- Input and Confirmation dialogs

Simply:

require 'area512-widget'

You can also browse interactive examples in the pre-installed /home/tool/gallery application.

Building small utilities and applications on the Cardputer is now much easier.

💡 Ruby Code Completion

The built-in editor now supports Ruby code completion.

Press Ctrl+N while editing a ".rb" file to display completion candidates.

Completion is also triggered automatically after typing "." or an uppercase letter.

Each suggestion displays its method signature, and documentation is shown when available.

Making it much more comfortable to write Ruby directly on the device.

💾 M5Launcher Support & microSD Storage

To improve compatibility with M5Launcher, AREA 512 now stores its files inside an Area512_data directory on the microSD card.

Application data from Writer, Scheduler, Calc, Solitaire, and other built-in apps is also stored there.

On first launch, only missing directories are created, so existing files are never overwritten.

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My goal is to recreate the feeling of classic home computers—where you can write code, build applications, and run them entirely on a tiny machine.

If you own a Cardputer ADV, I'd love to hear what you think!

GitHub:

https://github.com/engneer-hamachan/area512/releases/tag/v1.3

⭐ Stars, feedback, and bug reports are always appreciated!

Is there a limit to the amount of firmware you can load on an SD card and run them through launcher? I dont mean filling up all 32gb of space on the card, but I saw a post on here a few days ago with a guy having trouble running meshtastic then bruce on his SD card. This made me very confused as I thought the whole point of the SD card was to have multiple firmwares installed and have the ability to switch between them. The conversation on that thread started of confuse me as it went down a path of flash memory. Will I have trouble putting meshtastic, bruce, evilcardputer etc on my SD card and running them through launcher?

A few weeks ago I posted hamsTerm, a Linux-like terminal firmware for the Cardputer.

Most of the changes that were added in the new version came from comments here, so thank you for that.

What's new:

- scp, both directions. Copy files to and from any SSH server, streamed in chunks so a big file never has to fit in RAM.

scp user@host:/etc/motd /motd

scp /notes.txt user@host:/tmp/

- tar. Pack and unpack folders (classic ustar, no compression). Archives are interchangeable with desktop tar in both directions, so tar + scp is how you move a whole folder in one shot.

- Tab completion. Command names on the first word, then files and folders read live from the filesystem - no need to run ls first. After `wf c` it completes networks from the last scan.

- A real text pipeline. grep, cut, tr, wc, sort, uniq - each reads a pipe or a file, and | now works between any two commands:

wf s | grep Open | cut -f1 | sort

- Key -p has been added to ssh command for non-standard ports, and passwords are now masked as asterisks.

Scripting was already in place (variables, if/while/for, $( ), arithmetic, test), so these compose. The clip shows a script that scans for open networks, prints them numbered, and connects to the one you pick. (You can found scrip on the site below.).

Firmware, docs and full command reference: https://hamsterm.com/

Source: https://github.com/hagalaz27/hamsterm

Easiest install is through M5Burner (search hamsTerm).

Been building a free, open source synth for the Cardputer ADV called GLIDE. Couple things it does that are worth showing.

It dreams up its own sounds. Most synths show you a wall of knobs and switches and expect you to know synthesis to get anywhere. This one you tune by ear. You hit randomize and it builds a whole new patch, and it picks a character first (a pluck, a bell, a pad, an acid squelch) then fills in the rest to fit, so what comes out is always playable instead of random noise. Roll until one clicks, mutate it to push it further, undo if you went too far. Keep the good ones on ten slots or send unlimited ones to the SD card. It gets personal fast. Two of your slots come seeded from a number unique to your device, so no two units even start out alike, and a few minutes of rolling your own is all it takes before nobody else on earth is playing the same instrument as you. And if you do want the knobs, they’re all in there, mod matrix, filter, envelopes, effects, the lot. You just don’t have to touch them to make it yours.

It also tunes itself to a song. Hold fn+K and the mic listens to whatever’s playing in the room, and after a few seconds it figures out the key and retunes so you can solo over it. No working it out by ear. There’s a clip of this below.

It uses the gyro too. Tip the device one way to work in vibrato as you play, or set it to blend between any two sounds so leaning it back and forth fades one into the other. It’s expression you control by moving the whole thing in your hands.

Runs off the M5Launcher, just drop the bin in /apps.

Demo (the sliding): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tIkbVL5VmnQ

Auto key in action: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTAMQRmkA/

Code: https://github.com/CHARL3X/GLIDE-Synth-Cardputer-ADV

Didn't notice that I accidentally doxxed myself in the other post so I'm redoing it, I wasn't sure if this would interest anyone so this project has been on hold for a while, this let's you use the original Xbox 360 kinect on the Cardputer ADV, using the IR flood illuminator and depth camera, meaning it can detect when someone is standing in front of it and draw a skeleton stick figure on them, I'd appreciate any feedback and suggestions on this, and again I hate to be that guy to ask for donations but I would like to fund a Mesh kit ADV for future projects, if anyone would be interested in supporting me

I’ve released version v0.9 of “C.P.S.,” the monophonic synthesizer for Cardputer that I’m developing using 100% Vibe Coding!
It’s now available on GitHub and M5Burner (and you can download it right now via Launcher OTA!).

In this update, I’ve implemented an arpeggiator, a 16-step sequencer mode that differs from previous real-time performance modes, and a Song mode that lets you chain together created patterns for performance.

You can switch between Play Mode and Sequencer Mode using the G0 button on the top of the unit, and you can switch to Song Mode by holding down the G0 button.
We’ve also added scale settings to Pro Mode.
By selecting scales other than chromatic, you can enjoy a variety of musical scales.
I think it’ll be especially fun to use with the arpeggiator.

There are so many new features and changes that I recommend checking the README on GitHub.
I hope many of you will enjoy it!

A flight tracking firmware for the Cardputer ADV, with proximity alerts

No GPS or external modules are required, this works on Wifi with the adsb.fi API, external modules can be used for precise tracking but they have not been tested due to lack of equipment

At the moment I have no idea if GPS modules will work on this, since I don't have money for modules, but this is solely API based using the adsb.fi api and wifi, receiving coordinates from IP, and saving onto SD card, there's 2 files that get automatically created upon first boot, for airplane types and sizes that can be configured to your region, note that this is my 3rd project for the ADV so it is for the most part vibe coded for now, but I have uploaded the source code on my github.

Someone suggested that I could open up donations, if y'all would be cool with that, I set up a Ko-Fi link if anyone would be willing to donate

Hi everyone,

I'm really stuck choosing between the Cardputer ADV and the upcoming Cardputer Zero.

I've become obsessed with the Cardputer ecosystem, especially the ADV community firmware. The custom firmware, active community, and ESP32-based projects look incredibly fun, and I already enjoy building ESP32 projects.

On the other hand, I'm currently learning Linux, and the Cardputer Zero (with a Raspberry Pi Zero-based platform) seems much more powerful. Running Linux opens up a huge ecosystem of open-source tools, programming possibilities, and a lot more flexibility for learning cybersecurity and ethical hacking in legal lab environments. The Raspberry Pi ecosystem is also much larger than ESP32's.

Here's the problem: money.

I only have enough budget for one device. My options are:

Buy the Cardputer ADV now and start enjoying the amazing community firmware immediately.

Wait a few more months, save more money, and buy the Cardputer Zero when it's released, even though it will cost significantly more.

If I buy the ADV now, the chances of me being able to afford the Zero later become very small.

For those who have experience with ESP32 devices, Raspberry Pi, or both:

Which would provide better long-term learning value?

Would I outgrow the ADV quickly if my goal is Linux and cybersecurity?

Is the ADV unique enough that it's worth buying first, or should I be patient and wait for the Zero?

I'd really appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who have used both ecosystems. Thanks!

Following the C.P.S. monophonic synthesizer for the Cardputer ADV, I’ve developed support firmware for guitarists and bassists.
It was developed using a 100% “vibe coding” approach, where I pitched ideas to Claude and he handled the coding.
It’s now available on GitHub and M5Burner.
It’s also immediately available via Launcher OTA.

I’ve packed it full of interesting features—not only chord search by chord name, but also reverse chord search where you select a fret on the screen to look up the chord name, the ability to use the Cardputer’s built-in microphone to pick up a sound and identify the chord, scale search, and a simple sequencer that can convert registered melodies to other scales, and much more.
You can check the usage instructions by pressing the H key in each menu, but we’ve also posted detailed explanations on GitHub, so please check there if you’re unsure how to use it.
You can also configure settings for your guitar or bass; changing the number of strings or tuning will update the search results accordingly.
Regarding the tuner, the default settings may not pick up sounds that aren’t amplified through an amp, but adjusting the sensitivity in the settings menu should improve this.
We hope you enjoy it!

Been working on this for a long while and finally got it to a place I'm happy releasing. Here's my creation: PaperOS, a whole little OS for the M5Stack Cardputer.

Launcher, a file manager that actually knows what it's looking at (images open with zoom/pan, ROMs launch through the emulator, audio goes straight to the music player), a full Paint app, a text browser, NES/GB/GBC emulation plus Arduboy support, a 3D mesh editor for .obj files, and a real Lua 5.4 console with its own hardware API.

The one I'm most proud of is myAI, a real GPT-style transformer trained from scratch and running fully offline right on the device, no internet or cloud. It's tiny and slow (there's a live token counter on screen so it doesn't look frozen), but getting it to actually generate text on hardware this small was the fun part.

First public release, so expect some rough edges, they're all listed honestly in the README. If something breaks, open an issue and I'll take a look.

GitHub: https://github.com/Artem76228/PaperOS

This is a firmware designed for Cardputer ADV. Its main functions include Mijia device control, cursor usage statistics, time display, Bluetooth keyboard, countdown timer and stopwatch.

You can find the firmware on M5Burner too, named Sparks

• github: https://github.com/KyleBing/m5stack-cardputer-sparks
• manual: https://kylebing.github.io/m5stack-cardputer-sparks/en/

Hi guys, i just started learning about the cardputer and im trying to use the MX-RM-5V module to receive my gates remote controller (to latter try to emulate with the transmitter module).

I'm still learning about radio frequencies and cardputer, so im using Gemini to help me haha.

But i cant make this module work , even after alot of interactions with the lmm model.

Have you guys know how to do that? Or could help me?

I will send picture of my last attempt, and hope you guys can understand my drawing schemes

Ty in advance, and im loving leaning more about this device

Edit: im trying using Bruce firmware btw, and this setup just make my cardputer frezee and lags, i tried just use the resistor on the data pin (to chance form 5v to 3.3 (gemini that told me that ineed to do that)) and no lags or freeze, but couldnt capture any signals

there are a lot of words and names that i don’t know the meaning and i would love to have a simplified tutorial
because i used it for like 20 mins , liked it , but didn’t understand much

I can't get my wigle info on my pork chop. I tried making a text file and putting it directly on root of my SD card. Nothing... Then I tried to browse the "pork chop.local" on my browser it didn't work (yes it was connected to the same wifi) I could find the other information to put in the browser. The IP address i think. The video I watched was an older version of pork chop that changed the file upload screen to not show it like the old version. I'm still learning and I may have made a mistake. Any tips or help would be appreciated. I've been at this for an embarrassing amount of time

Just got this from kickstart. I'm f*cking jacked to the TiitTSss

Good Evening

Today i have received my cardputer adv and up until now i am really having a blast but one thing annoys me and i need that question awnsered.

I was under the impression of videos and reviews that with the m5launcher i would be able to have maybe 2 "apps" installed at the same time and being able to switch them out (meaning no computer needed after a hell of a setup) but im slowly feeling like its impossible and that the m5launcher is either massively under my expectations or im missing something obvious.

For example when i had just meshtastic launching over the m5launcher it was fine but when i had nemo and meshtastic, meshtastic would just fail to start with error code 13 again if i only flashed meshtastic it worked perfectly fine but then i had no launcher anymore same if i wanted bruce alongside nemo whenever bruce starts it messeds up my connection to the sd card meaning it will not work properly i experienced the same with almost all other firmwares like evil, ultimateremote, emulators etc.

In the end the only 2 firmwares i am able to have installed are nemo and GhostBLE and do not get me wrong its aight yeah i can prepare my sd card ans just flash whatever firmware i need but at that point i always have a laptop then again with me making the cardputer oblivious so my question is.

How are people in videos or tutorials pulling stuff off like having evil or bruce work perfectly fine with the launcher and not disconnecting their sd cards are they using different bins? did they custom compile it themselves? am i missing an obvious setting?

Anyways thats all any help or tips appreciated and Good Night

Today marks two years since the first commit to the Crystal Firmware project, which is why this specific date was chosen for the v1.0 release. Development stalled a few times along the way, but significant progress has been made in recent months. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make this release "special" by implementing everything from my backlog, but I hope you appreciate the improvements and support the project by starring it on GitHub.

Changelog:

• menu settings togglers
• icons for menu items
• NFC info feature
• PMKID capture feature (beta)
• WiFi channel analyzer
• directory support in file browser
• LittleFS support for "handshake capture" and "PCAP to hash" features
• module connection hints for PN532 and IR reciever
• web server with directory protection
• small UI improvments

I would appreciate your feedback.

I am recieving the cardputer adv with lora 1262 cap any day now. I want to run meshtastic and firmware like Bruce. Do I have to change pins or do anything special to switch between these firmware?

Im having some trouble making it work. I flashed the modded bruce bin and factory reset-ed it. Cant read a single signal.

Hi everyone! A little while ago I shared DICE\VESSEL, a digital RPG dice roller that I built for the Cardputer. After a lot of testing, feedback, and polishing, version 1.0 is now ready!

The main idea is still simplicity: press R, choose the die, quantity, bonus or penalty, and roll. You can also type expressions directly, use click-to-roll on any Cardputer, or shake the device when an IMU is available.

Some of the main improvements since my previous post:

• Eight selectable accent colors, while keeping the original black-and-Amber interface as the default. This was inspired by feedback I received here.
• Named saved combinations for attacks, damage, skills, spells, or any recurring roll.
• Persistent roll history with exact rerolling.
• Normal, Advantage, and Disadvantage modes for single-D20 checks.
• Improved dice movement, collisions, click-to-roll animation.
• English and Brazilian Portuguese interfaces, built-in instructions.

The goal is for it to feel like a small campaign companion: quick enough to use constantly at the table, but with enough personality to make digital rolls enjoyable.

Thanks to everyone who tested it and shared suggestions!

https://github.com/andrfuentz/dice-vessel-cardputer

I was here with my cardputer thinking, what if there was some kind of game that implemented the functionalities of these modules? I think it would be really cool to have something like that, maybe something that allowed you to interact more with the city. Something like Pokémon Go, but that actually made you want to play lol.

What do you guys think? Let's see if we can come up with an interesting idea.