CircuitPython 8.2.0 Release Candidate 0

This is CircuitPython 8.2.0-rc.0, a release candidate for CircuitPython 8.2.0. We believe it is stable, and are making a release candidate for further testing before final release.

Notable changes to 8.2.0 since 8.1.0

• Continued enhancement of synthio.
• RP2040 alarm.sleep_memory.

Download from circuitpython.org

Firmware downloads are available from the downloads page on circuitpython.org. The site makes it easy to select the correct file and language for your board.

Installation

To install follow the instructions in the Welcome to CircuitPython! guide. To install the latest libraries, see this page in that guide.

Try the latest version of the Mu editor for creating and editing your CircuitPython programs and for easy access to the CircuitPython serial connection (the REPL).

Documentation

Documentation is available in readthedocs.io.

Port status

CircuitPython has a number of "ports" that are the core implementations for different microcontroller families. Stability varies on a per-port basis. As of this release, these ports are consider stable (but see Known Issues below):

• atmel-samd: Microchip SAMD21, SAMx5x
• cxd56: Sony Spresense
• espressif: Espressif ESP32, ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3
• nrf: Nordic nRF52840, nRF52833
• raspberrypi: Raspberry Pi RP2040
• stm: ST STM32F4 chip family

These ports are considered alpha and will have bugs and missing functionality:

• broadcom: Raspberry Pi boards such as RPi 4, RPi Zero 2W
• litex: fomu
• mimxrt10xx: NXP i.MX RT10xxx
• silabs: Silicon Labs MG24 family
• stm: ST non-STM32F4 chip families

Changes since 8.2.0-beta.1

Fixes and enhancements

• Improve OnDiskGif documentation; report clearer error when image is too wide. #8102. Thanks @dhalbert.
• Validate wifi access point channel. #8087. Thanks @anecdata.
• Update RGBMatrix protomatter library. #8056. Thanks @jepler.
• Speed up displayio refresh when objects are hidden. #8050. Thanks @FoamyGuy.

Port and board-specific changes

Broadcom

Espressif

i.MX

• Fix pin checking for busio.SPI. #8084. Thanks @breakersun.

nRF

• Reset UART peripheral on deinit to save power. #8089. Thanks @furbrain.
• Allow 12 voices for synthio. #8077. Thanks @jepler.

RP2040

SAMx

SiLabs

• Improve README.

Spresense

• Update SDK to 3.0.1. Thanks @kamtom480.

STM

Individual boards

• Pimoroni Badger 2040: increase display contrast. #8075. Thanks @mariobodemann.

Documentation changes

• Document RP2040 countio limitations. #8104. Thanks @dhalbert.
• Fix typo in aesio documentation. #8097. Thanks @dhalbert.
• Correct wifi.radio.start_ap documentation. #7680. Thanks @dhalbert.

Build and infrastructure changes

• Speed up LTO builds by using parallel make jobs. #8096. Thanks @jepler.

Translation additions and improvements

• Thanks for translations:
  • @rezaalmanda (Indonesian)

New boards since 8.2.0-beta.1

• Adafruit MatrixPortal S3. #8056. Thanks @jepler.
• Smart Bee Designs Bee-Data-Logger. #8099. Thanks @strid3r21.
• Unexpected Maker NANOS3. #8080. Thanks @UnexpectedCircuitPython (@UnexpectedMaker).

Known issues

• ESP32-S3 has significant issues with I2C devices that sleep or use clock stretching. Retry operations on these devices as necessary, or use ESP32-S2 boards.
• Espressif boards have ESP-IDF storage leaks and occasionally crash after extended WiFi use.
• See https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython/issues for other issues, including issues still to be addressed for:
  • 8.2.0
  • 8.x.x
  • long term

Thanks

Thank you to all who used, tested, and contributed since 8.2.0-beta.1, including the contributors above, and many others on GitHub and Discord. Join us on the Discord chat to collaborate.