Xous v.0.9.15 release is now available
Upstreamed into Rust, updated network stack, `mtxchat` project kickoff, fixes, and more in the newest version of Xous. Read the full update.
Call for Developers: Precursor Chat Client
We're actively developing the chat client for Precursor and we can use your help! Read the full update.
New Xous Release 0.9.14: Quality of Life Improvements
The 0.9.14 release of Xous includes numerous quality-of-life improvements for Precursor users. Read the full update.
Live Now: Precursor Hacking Workshop with bunnie
We're at Teardown 2023 and livestreaming a Precursor workshop. Join remotely and hack with us! Read the full update.
Meetups, New Production and Xous 0.9.13
Since our last release we've run a new production lot, added a bunch of new features, bug fixes and infrastructure improvements. Read the full update.
Xous 0.9.12: FIDO2.1 Residential Keys, Kernel Improvements, USB Mass Storage and More!
I was thinking we'd be light on new features due to the holidays, but I was wrong! Our development community has rallied, and we've got a nice list of compelling improvements in this release. Read the full update.
Xous 0.9.11: UX Improvements, New Features & eFuse Key Burning in Beta
Happy holidays! We have a potpourri of features and fixes for our last release of 2022. Here's what's in Xous 0.9.11. Read the full update.
Xous 0.9.10: Filing off Rough Edges
The development theme for the past two months has been "gloss": things that improve the user experience or clean up technical debt in the code base. Stuff like clearer documentation, performance improvements, working with community developers to pull in staged features, and better CI coverage. Read the full update.
Bringing Up TLS on Precursor
Dear Backers, The pace of development has slowed down a bit as the late summer set in and we took some holidays to rest and recharge. However, over this period, we did manage to accomplish one major new feature that is now available to developers: TLS support, via rustls. Read the full update.
Xous Release v0.9.9: “Vault” Authentication App & More!
We’re pleased to announce our first turnkey “app” for Precursor: the “Vault” Authentication App. The Vault app can manage U2F/FIDO2, TOTP, and conventional passwords, all from a single UX, and in a plausibly deniable manner. Read the full update.
Coming Soon: FIDO2 & HID Keyboard Support
Since our last update, we’ve been busy adding new features to Precursor. Here’s a sneak peak at one of the major new features in the upcoming 0.9.9 release! Read the full update.
Xous Book, Stocking Forecast, and Xous 0.9.8 Release Notes
In the first weeks since units shipped to backers, there has been a whirlwind of activity in firmware development. We're delighted to see such a vibrant community come together - thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences so far with us and the Internet. It really means a lot to us that people are using and enjoying their devices! Read the full update.
More Supply Chain Issues! Surprise Edition: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.
We missed our estimated shipping date by a couple of weeks, but Precursor is finally shipping to backers - more than half of the crowdfunding orders have already shipped and all outstanding orders should be shipped very soon. The global electronics supply chain is still a mess, but we remain undaunted. On the plus side, logistical delays freed up enough time to complete the first pass of a Braille version of Precursor! Read the full update.
The Shippening is Nigh! and Xous 0.9.6
Precursors are about to ship! If you've moved, now is the time to update your address. While your Precursor is in transit, come up to speed with the latest release of the Xous operating system - 0.9.6. Read the full update.
A Sticky Situation & Production Status
Backers, be sure to read this entire update, as we need your input about what to do about a sticky situation! Read the full update.
Livestream Reminder (and Rescheduling)
In case you didn't catch the news, the livestream with bunnie and xobs mentioned in the previous update has been rescheduled to **today**, December 15, at 9 PM PST, a mere three hours from now! Read the full update.
Production Start, Livestream, and Giveaway!
Just a quick update from the line in Korea - we've started production of the Precursor PCBAs! Here are some photos of the journey thus far. And, before I forget: you can catch me (bunnie) and xobs on a Crowd Supply Teardown Sessions livestream happening on Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 at 9 PM Pacific. Even better, Crowd Supply is giving away a Precursor. See you there! Read the full update.
Xous: Bug Scrub, Stupid Network Tricks; Production Update; and Boycott the UKCA!
We're picking up speed! Keep reading for the latest on Xous development, hardware production, and certification. Read the full update.
Xous 0.9 Release, Secured Boot, EMC Testing Redux, And the Road to Production
What a busy summer it has been! We’re overdue for a comprehensive update. So, without further ado, here’s the latest news on Precursor. Read the full update.
Adding Rust-Stable libstd Support for Xous
It is possible to add support for a new OS to the Rust compiler's stable channel without rebuilding everything, enabling libstd support for entirely new operating systems. Read the full update.
Supply Chain, Xous, EMC, and Keyboard Updates
Here's the latest from the Precursor team, including an update on supply chain issues, keyboard samples, and more. Plus an in-depth look at how we implemented "Suspend/Resume" functionality. Read the full update.
Software, Pre-Boot, Testing, Certification, and Time Lines
This update covers the release of Xous 0.8, the Precursor pre-boot process, the design of our test jigs, our preparations for EMC testing, and our various attempts to accelerate the manufacturing process. Read the full update.
From Steel to Supply Chains to Operating Systems to...Bitcoin???
It’s been a couple months since our last update, in part because the world has been in rapid flux and it’s been a struggle to establish ground truth on a number of production-critical factors. The last time we wrote, the very first doses of the Pfizer vaccine were being administered, while the US Capitol was under assault. Now, about 20% of the US has received at least one dose of a vaccine, and a massive stimulus package is being signed into law. This update covers supply-chain delays, omakase case candidates, Precursor sales in Bitcoin, and a status report on the Xous operating system. Read the full update.
Kicking off Manufacturing in a New Year
Manufacturing and certification during the Lunar New Year... read all about the challenges of development during a major holiday and a pandemic. Read the full update.
Wow. Thank You, Precursor Community!
When we launched this campaign, we knew we were going into some serious headwinds. 2020 has been a rough year for all of us, and we were up against a very busy news cycle. When I woke up this morning, I saw that the campaign had closed at $398,661. I had to rub my eyes and hit refresh a couple times to make sure I wasn't dreaming: this was beyond my highest expectations. Thank you! Read the full update.
The Last Day of Our Campaign!
We're down to the last day of the campaign! We've cleared our funding target with a few days to spare, and momentum has been steadily building toward the stretch goal of $280k that will bring all devices a battery upgrade! And remember, today is your last day to enjoy our discounted crowdfunding price or to pick up a Limited Edition Precursor! Read the full update.
Stretch Goal: Larger Battery!
We've done the math, and if we can hit $280,000, we can afford to upgrade our 1100 mAh battery to a full-custom, 1300 mAh model. So help us spread the word, and let's see if we can give every Precursor an extra hour of battery life (and an extra 12 hours of standby)! Read the full update.
What’s the Value of Hackable Hardware, Anyway?
There is plenty of skepticism around the value of hackable products. Significantly, hackability is different from openness: cars are closed-source, yet support vibrant modding communities; gcc is one of the “real OG”s of open source, but few users find it easy to extend or enhance. Is it better to have a garden planted by the most knowledgeable botanists and maintained by experienced gardeners, or an open plot of land maintained by whoever has the interest and time? In this update, we explore these issues in the context of Precursor. Read the full update.
Our Mechanical Design
“Pocketability” is the difference between Precursor and naked PCB FPGA development platforms. We hope Precursor’s pocketability helps bring more open hardware out of the lab and into everyday use. Thus, the mechanical design of Precursor is of similar importance to its electrical, software, and security design. Read the full update.
How We Make Our Custom PCBs
In this post, we take a step-by-step look at the manufacturing process of Precursor's circuit board. If you're curious about the details of modern PCB manufacturing, this post is a great introduction. Read the full update.
AMA: Your Chance to Ask All the Questions!
Bunnie and xobs are hosting an AMA on Crowd Supply's Discord channel at 9 AM Pacific Time, this coming Wednesday, Nov 25th. Come join us! Read the full update.
Evaluating Our Hardware Security
This post is an in-depth look at the issues of hardware security and how Precursor works to mitigate them. Read the full update.
Software Development for Precursor
Here's a post, including code samples, from xobs explaining how he developed the software for Precursor with Renode and C#. Read the full update.
A Guided Tour of the Precursor System on Chip (SoC)
This post provides a whirlwind tour through Precursor's System on Chip. Read the full update.
Crowdfunding Begins!
We are happy to announce that the Precursor campaign is live. Please check out our crowdfunding page to learn more. In the coming months, we'll be posting lots of detailed information about Precursor. We'll also be hosting an AMA on Crowd Supply's Discord channel, so stay tuned! Read the full update.
A Guided Tour of the Precursor Motherboard
This post provides a guided tour of the components and features of the Precursor motherboard. Read the full update.
The Platform
Precursor is a mobile, open source electronics platform. Similar to how a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino can be transformed into an IoT gadget with the addition of a couple breakout boards, some solder, and a bit of code, Precursor is a framework upon which you can assemble a wide variety of DIY mobile applications. This update talks a bit about what makes Precursor unique, and then moves on to the ins and outs of our design philosophy. Read the full update.
Introducing...
Why do we trust our computers? I’ve done a lot of thinking on this question. The answer, it turns out, is that we trust our computers mostly because we have no other choice. Most of us wouldn’t know how to check if a computer is constructed correctly; and those of us who do are overwhelmed by the millions of lines of source code and billions of transistors packed into a typical computer. If you’re like me, this answer is dissatisfying. Precursor is our attempt to help the community develop a better one. Read the full update.