Raspberry Pi has launched the Pico 2 W, an updated version of its popular Pico 2 microcontroller board. The new board features onboard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it more versatile for DIY electronics projects.
The Pico 2 W is powered by the RP2350 microcontroller, a dual-core chip using both Arm and RISC-V architectures. The board is priced at $7, just two dollars more than the original Pico 2.
The Pico 2 W’s Wi-Fi functionality supports the Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) standard, providing 2.4GHz connectivity. It also includes Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless communication.
While Wi-Fi 4 is an older standard, it is still widely used in smart home devices such as sensors, cameras, and speakers. The board also includes a USB 1.1 port and is compatible with Raspberry Pi Pico accessories, allowing users to connect sensors, displays, and robotics kits for various projects.
The RP2350 chip debuted in August and offers improved performance for low-power projects. Raspberry Pi’s Pico boards have become popular for creating custom IoT devices, environmental sensors, and even creative projects like smartwatches or cat toys.
The Pico 2 W is currently available for preorder, with more retailers expected to carry it soon.
