A bidirectional bridge connecting Bitchat and Meshtastic networks allows local Bluetooth chat clients to communicate over long distances using LoRa radios. The system runs on a Linux-based device that relays messages between mobile devices via Bluetooth and the mesh network through a USB connection.
- Relays text from nearby Bitchat apps to the Meshtastic LoRa network.
- Broadcasts incoming LoRa signals back to all connected Bluetooth clients.
- Designed for Linux environments like Raspberry Pi using Python 3.7 or higher.
- Relays text from nearby Bitchat apps to the Meshtastic LoRa network.
- Broadcasts incoming LoRa signals back to all connected Bluetooth clients.
- Designed for Linux environments like Raspberry Pi using Python 3.7 or higher.
This article explores how to bridge the gap between BitChat, which uses smartphone Bluetooth for short-range local mesh networking, and Meshtastic, which provides long-range communication through dedicated 915 MHz radio hardware. The proposed integration aims to expand off-grid coverage without requiring every person in a network to own specialized equipment. Two primary solutions are discussed: utilizing dedicated relay boards at high elevations or updating Meshtastic firmware to allow smartphones to act as ad-hoc relays for BitChat signals via existing Bluetooth connections.
* Comparison of range and hardware requirements between Bluetooth and 915 MHz radio
* Methods for bridging short-range smartphone meshes with long-range radio networks
* Implementation ideas involving dedicated relay nodes or software integration in firmware
* Comparison of range and hardware requirements between Bluetooth and 915 MHz radio
* Methods for bridging short-range smartphone meshes with long-range radio networks
* Implementation ideas involving dedicated relay nodes or software integration in firmware
Anthropic has released an open-source project called Claude Desktop Buddy that allows ESP32-S3 hardware to act as a physical companion for the Claude desktop application. By utilizing a new Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) API, these small devices can provide real-time updates on AI agent activity and allow users to approve or deny permission requests directly through physical buttons.
Key features and details:
- Connects via BLE to macOS and Windows desktop apps for fast, local interaction
- Features Tamagotchi-style animations that reflect the AI's status, such as sleep, busy, or attention modes
- Supports custom character skins using user-provided GIF packs
- Optimized for ESP32-S3 boards like the M5StickC Plus and M5Stack Cardputer
- Developed using the Arduino framework and PlatformIO
Key features and details:
- Connects via BLE to macOS and Windows desktop apps for fast, local interaction
- Features Tamagotchi-style animations that reflect the AI's status, such as sleep, busy, or attention modes
- Supports custom character skins using user-provided GIF packs
- Optimized for ESP32-S3 boards like the M5StickC Plus and M5Stack Cardputer
- Developed using the Arduino framework and PlatformIO
Clawdmeter is a custom-built desk dashboard powered by the ESP32-S3 that provides real-time monitoring of Claude Code token usage. Utilizing a 2.16-inch AMOLED screen and Bluetooth LE connectivity, the device displays animated pixel art that reacts to usage rates and acts as a HID keyboard for quick command shortcuts via BLE.
ESP32-S3 2inch Capacitive Touch Display Development Board, 240×320 Pixels, IPS Panel, 32-bit LX7 Dual-core Processor, Supports WiFi & Bluetooth, Onboard Camera Interface, ESP32 With Display
This article details 7 ESPHome projects that enhance smart home functionality, including washing machine state detection, water leak detection, presence detection, Bluetooth proxy, custom smart speakers, cheap yellow displays, and ePaper dashboards.
The Adafruit Feather Bluefruit Sense takes the popular Feather nRF52840 Express and adds a comprehensive set of sensors, making it an excellent wireless sensor platform with Bluetooth Low Energy, native USB support, and Arduino/CircuitPython compatibility. It features environmental and motion sensing capabilities including 9-DoF motion sensors, proximity/light/color/gesture sensor, PDM microphone, humidity sensor, and barometric pressure sensor.
This article explains how MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) can be used to create a more streamlined and organized smart home by enabling local communication between devices, reducing reliance on cloud services, and simplifying automation.
CL-32 is a small pocket computer brought into the modern era with WiFi and Bluetooth, designed for building and testing ideas on the go or as a mobile communication device.
This article details the creation of a toolkit for building a macropad using an Android app and a Linux server, focusing on communication protocols, security considerations, and the challenges of building a complex interface with App Inventor.
