Picoware (Open-Source Custom Firmware)

Gordons_Treehouse77 · August 9, 2025, 1:11pm

A blinking LED is all I need! Thank you so much for your work. We were talking on YouTube about whether it’s possible to program in C++ on your operating system. I’ll give it a try over the weekend!

Best regards,

Gordon

jblanked · August 9, 2025, 1:25pm

Nice to see on you the forum Gordon and thanks for checking out my YouTube content.

Let me know if you have any issues or concerns! I’m starting a PicoCalc Step-By-Step Development series, and the first part releases today. It goes over setting up both the C/C++ SDK and Arduino IDE.

jblanked · August 10, 2025, 1:56am

MAJOR progress today!

I created a Draw class with 8-bit double buffering support:

github.com/jblanked/Picoware

src/SDK/Picoware/src/gui/draw.hpp

main

#pragma once

#include "../gui/vector.hpp"
#include "../system/colors.hpp"
#include <cstdint>
#include <cstdlib>

class Draw
{
public:
        Draw(uint16_t foregroundColor = TFT_WHITE, uint16_t backgroundColor = TFT_BLACK);
        ~Draw();
        void background(uint16_t color);                                                                                            // Sets the background color of the display.
        void clear(Vector position, Vector size, uint16_t color);                                                                   // Clears the display at the specified position and size with the specified color.
        void clearBuffer(uint8_t colorIndex = 0);                                                                                   // Clear the back buffer with a color index
        void color(uint16_t color);                                                                                                 // Sets the color for drawing.
        uint8_t color332(uint16_t color);                                                                                           // Converts 16-bit color to 8-bit
        uint16_t color565(uint8_t r, uint8_t g, uint8_t b);                                                                         // Converts convert three 8-bit RGB levels to RGB565
        void drawCircle(Vector position, int16_t r, uint16_t color);                                                                // Draws a circle on the display at the specified position with the specified radius and color.
        void drawLine(Vector position, Vector size, uint16_t color);                                                                // Draws a line on the display at the specified position and size with the specified color.

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There’s also some examples:

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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And here’s a video tutorial going over setting up Arduino IDE and VS Code for PicoCalc/Picoware development:

I hope your weekend is going well. Tomorrow, if not then Monday, I’ll release Part 2, which reviews the Draw class and Blair Leduc’s lcd API, and explains how to build for different Pico devices in VS Code. Thanks again for the support!!

gilwood · August 10, 2025, 11:57am

Any thought of adding an mp3 music player?

jblanked · August 10, 2025, 2:43pm

Yes, and a video player too

jblanked · August 10, 2025, 10:30pm

I merged some GUIs from the Arduino IDE version. Looks like I can copy and paste almost all of it over. In other words, we’re only a few days away until the SDK version is ready to go!!

jblanked · August 12, 2025, 2:14am

All but the Desktop GUI class is ready to go!

The next step is to rebuild WiFi functionality and then work on the Desktop view.

jblanked · August 12, 2025, 6:07pm

Great day! Here’s Part 2 of my Mastering PicoCalc Development (A Step-by-Step Firmware Guide)

I went over @BlairLeduc’s lcd.h driver and a Draw class I created in Picoware to simplify development. I also went over how to compile your code for different Pico types in VS Code

jblanked · August 13, 2025, 12:24pm

I started the WiFi class last night. Later today I’ll do some simple scanning and connecting, and apply edits as needed.

github.com/jblanked/Picoware

src/SDK/Picoware/src/system/wifi.hpp

dev

#pragma once
#include "../system/helpers.hpp"
#include <stdio.h>
#include <time.h>
#include <cctype>
#include "pico/stdlib.h"

#ifdef CYW43_WL_GPIO_LED_PIN
#include "pico/cyw43_arch.h"

typedef struct
{
    String ssid;
    short rssi;
    uint8_t channel;
    uint8_t bssid[6];
    uint32_t auth_mode;
} WiFiScanResult;

// Maximum number of APs to record in a single scan

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After that, I’ll work on the View Manager and then put everything together. By the way things are going, I should have the first release (of the SDK version) ready by this weekend.

Peekaboo · August 13, 2025, 10:47pm

Good Lord!

Do you even sleep mate!? This is awesome work!

jblanked · August 14, 2025, 2:56am

Haha thanks! I do sleep some I’m just excited to develop

jblanked · August 14, 2025, 3:01am

WiFi is all set! It will (currently) connect to your WiFI and scan for networks on boot.

Tomorrow I’ll clean up the code (excessive memory usage currently), create the View Managerclass, and start putting the firmware together. I’m very excited for this version! I already see some developers have already created custom boot loaders for the PicoCalc, which means I could do something similar to create “apps” for Picoware.

jblanked · August 14, 2025, 7:12pm

So I know I said this weekend but…

We’re just a few hours away

jblanked · August 15, 2025, 2:26am

Great news! I got PSRAM working

There’s a malloc, free, realloc, and a few other helpers.

gilwood · August 15, 2025, 11:17pm

I downloaded the pico 2W software to the pico 2W on my clockwork pi PicoCalc. Pressed the on button and the graphic comes up. The header shows PicoCalc - Pico 2 W, a 1% sign, bluetooth and wifi. What is supposed to happen. I cannot get anything to work. Any suggestions?

jblanked · August 15, 2025, 11:50pm

Hey! Thanks for checking out Picoware. Make sure you update your keyboard firmware. That should show the correct battery percentage and allow you to use your keyboard

jblanked · August 15, 2025, 11:52pm

This should help:

github.com/jblanked/awesome-pico-calc

GettingStarted.md

master

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

## What is PicoCalc?
PicoCalc 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 STM32
This is critical to ensure your PicoCalc runs smoothly. Follow these steps to update the STM32 firmware.

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

### Steps to Update STM32
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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I’ll add updating the keyboard firmware to the Picoware README too

Atomica · August 16, 2025, 12:44am

Hi, I just wanted to note with the pico 2 W, bios 1.4 does work as well with the keyboard, simply doesn’t display an updated battery life, if that’s any care or relevance to you.

jblanked · August 16, 2025, 12:45am

Hmmm, try the 1.2 version then. I haven’t tested the 1.4 version although that update doesn’t seem like it would mess up the keyboard or battery reader. The 1.2 version is confirmed reading the battery and keyboard correctly.

gilwood · August 16, 2025, 3:06am

Playing around I learned something. When I turned on the picocalc the screen image had a bit of animation. Then the animation stopped, everything was dead. However, if I pressed the up arrow during the animation the menus came up and I was able to move around the program as described in the manual posted on github. I also REALLY enjoyed your videos on tips for the picocalc and how to tape the screen to prevent damage. I the weather is there a way to change the timezone and centigrade versus fahrenheit. Having a LOT of fun. Thanks

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