Eleki Jack IoT https://eleki-jack-iot.com/ Smart devices, connected gadgets, embedded tech for makers. en Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:03:23 GMT Five Bucks, Two Boards, Zero Excuses: ESP32 and Pico W Go Head-to-Head https://eleki-jack-iot.com/esp32-vs-pico-w-budget-iot-board-showdown/ https://eleki-jack-iot.com/esp32-vs-pico-w-budget-iot-board-showdown/ We strapped both boards to a power meter, pinged them across a cluttered 2.4GHz spectrum, and lived with them for a month. Here's which $5 board deserves a spot on your workbench. Eleki Jack IoT Microcontrollers Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:03:23 GMT Ditch the Cloud: 7 Firmware Projects That Unlock the Smart Plug You Already Own https://eleki-jack-iot.com/open-source-firmware-cheap-smart-plugs-local-control/ https://eleki-jack-iot.com/open-source-firmware-cheap-smart-plugs-local-control/ That $8 smart plug doesn't have to phone home to a server in another country. These open-source firmware projects turn bargain-bin hardware into serious, privacy-respecting automation gear. Eleki Jack IoT Home Automation Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:03:23 GMT