Picoware (Open-Source Custom Firmware)

jblanked · July 30, 2025, 9:16pm

The warnings were about the TOUCH_CS right?

#warning >>>>------>> TOUCH_CS pin not defined, TFT_eSPI touch functions will not be available!

And based on what I’m seeing, try re-downloading the repo again. I removed the foregroundColor and backgroundColor parameters I mentioned a few days ago and instead implemented the dark/light modes and maybe you’re still using the older version?

This is what I have in the Tools menu (it should match the documentation but putting it here just in case):

chaoswires · July 30, 2025, 10:00pm

I use the same settings except small optimization. I’ll download zip archive once again + check libraries ( Picoware directory) . I did git reset –hard + git pull, but maybe i overlooked something.

jblanked · July 30, 2025, 10:50pm

Hmmm in that case, did you copy the updated folder into the Arduino libraries folder? I should figure out a way to make this more seamless

dieppon · July 31, 2025, 7:33pm

Hi,

Im quite new here.

I just manage to flash Picoware-PicoCalcPico2W.uf2 on my Pico 2W.

It boots but none of the keys work, I have try all the combinations on the guide but nothing seems to work, am I missing something? any special libraries on the SD card?

jblanked · July 31, 2025, 7:35pm

Hey, thanks for checking out Picoware!! You just need to update your Keyboard (I’ll add that to the documentation on the next release)

This should help:

github.com/jblanked/awesome-pico-calc

GettingStarted.md

master

# Getting Started with Pico Calc 
Welcome to the Pico Calc Getting Started guide! This document will help you set up your Pico Calc device.

## What is Pico Calc?
Pico Calc is a versatile handheld device based on the Raspberry Pi Pico and is designed for various applications, including programming, gaming, and media playback. It features a powerful microcontroller and supports multiple programming languages and SDKs. Read more about it here: https://www.clockworkpi.com/picocalc

## Updating The STM322
This is critical to ensure your Pico Calc runs smoothly. Follow these steps to update the STM322 firmware.

Here's a video guide for visual assistance: [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD3XbYQG6cM&pp=ygUIamJsYW5rZWQ%3D).

### Steps to Update STM322
1. Open the back of the PicoCalc carefully
2. Turn on switch 1 (SW107) (just below the SD-card)
3. Connect USB-C to the Computer
4. Hold power button to turn on PicoCalc
5. Start STM32CubeProgrammer (https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stm32cubeprog.html) on the computer
6. Select “UART” (light blue drop-down at the top right)
7. Press “Connect” (green button at the top right)
8. Press tab “Open file” and select “PicoCalc_BIOS_v1.2.bin” (https://github.com/clockworkpi/PicoCalc/tree/master)

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chaoswires · July 31, 2025, 11:18pm

Meanwhile i figured out my issue with missing text in the menus. The reason was in outdated Adafruit GFX lib, i updated version to 1.12.x and text appeared.

Now i’m ready to make some minor changes. Thx again for amazing features, i suck at c++ so bad, but at least i can read the code and add/modify simple features. Your tutorials about Flipper apps are also super useful, but i feel i need to learn something more fundamental first.

Running Picoware 1.2.2 @ 250 MHz, added CPU frequency to System Info and playing with colors

jblanked · August 1, 2025, 1:30am

Yoo great job! Glad to hear you got it working thanks for checking out my YouTube too. Once my screen arrives I’ll release some more detailed programming tutorials but for the Pico Calc.

It’s awesome to see you jumping in and adding new features. I don’t use too many c++ exclusive features but I think the biggest learning curve would be classes. Other than that, it’s just like C

dieppon · August 1, 2025, 12:28pm

It worked, thank you so much.

The firmware is very cool.

I already connected to the wifi and got the weather.

I would say the time seem to check for time zones just fine, but not summertime changes.

chaoswires · August 1, 2025, 2:46pm

I’d suggest another Settings option: time zone and DST (on or off). For simple weather info every hour i’d use wttr.in, because i tried it with micropython and it works great.

jblanked · August 1, 2025, 5:35pm

Awesome, glad to hear its working for you too!

jblanked · August 1, 2025, 5:38pm

A DST switch (and correct time zone recognition) is definitely needed great thinking! I think there’s a better time library than the one I’m using. wttr.in looks great too. I think earlier you mentioned its fully text-based though. Do they have an API? I’m sure we’d have to do some word-wrapping

jblanked · August 5, 2025, 3:38am

My screen replacement is set to arrive tomorrow! Once I replace the screen, I have some more updates planned for Picoware. I hope everyone has been great

jblanked · August 6, 2025, 12:34am

Great news! My screen replacement came about an hour ago, and the installation went very well. I applied the tape trick and recorded a video to help future users (set to release tomorrow).

jblanked · August 6, 2025, 7:48pm

I’m tidying up the Arduino IDE version and then I’m moving straight to the C SDK. With the SDK, we can have our own boot loader system with custom apps, and allow others to create their own apps. That was my intention with the circuit python version, but since the SDK (Raspberry Pi Pico SDK) is much more developed and developers like Blair Leduc have already made a TON of APIs available, its the best option I think.

jblanked · August 6, 2025, 7:50pm

One app I’d love to see (this may sound crazy) is a YouTube app (or even a movie player). Although low resolution, we could slow load frame-by-frame and take advantage of the PSRAM

jblanked · August 7, 2025, 1:37am

New release, v1.2.3 This fixes the issues reported above and some other things to! This the last Arduino IDE release. Now on to the Raspberry Pi SDK

https://github.com/jblanked/Picoware/releases/tag/v1.2.3

jblanked · August 7, 2025, 9:29pm

First day using the SDK. I initially thought it was Linux only I did an initial build using CLI and it worked well. Now I found a VS Code extension. I’m very excited for this!!

jblanked · August 7, 2025, 10:54pm

All set!

github.com/jblanked/Picoware

src/SDK/Picoware/Picoware.cpp

dev

#include <stdio.h>
#include "pico/stdlib.h"


int main()
{
    stdio_init_all();

    while (true) {
        printf("Hello, world!\n");
        sleep_ms(1000);
    }
}

jblanked · August 8, 2025, 5:02pm

Great day! Here’s a new review on Picoware:

jblanked · August 9, 2025, 12:34pm

I merged my current progress with the C/C++ SDK into the main branch:

github.com/jblanked/Picoware

src/SDK/Picoware/Picoware.cpp

main

#include <stdio.h>
#include "pico/stdlib.h"
#include "src/system/drivers/southbridge.h"
#include "src/system/drivers/lcd.h"
#include "src/system/led.hpp"

#ifdef CYW43_WL_GPIO_LED_PIN
// WiFi-specific code for Pico W or Pico 2W
#include "pico/cyw43_arch.h"
#endif

int main()
{
    stdio_init_all();
    sb_init();
    lcd_init();

#ifdef CYW43_WL_GPIO_LED_PIN
    if (cyw43_arch_init())
    {

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It will just blink the LED on your Pico for now

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Picoware (Open-Source Custom Firmware)

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