CircuitPython 5.0.0 Now Available Following Completion of Release Candidate Testing
With improved display capabilities, enhanced Bluetooth Low Energy support, and wider compatibility, CircuitPython 5.0.0 is a major upgrade.
UPDATE 2020-03-03:
Adafruit has now released the final build of CircuitPython, after an uneventful RC0 and RC1 testing period. More information on the changes since CircuitPython 4.1.2 can be found on the Adafruit blog, while the latest release is available from the official CircuitPython website.
Original article follows:
The first release candidate for CircuitPython 5.0.0 has been officially published, bringing with it a range of enhancements for everything from OLED and ePaper displays to Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity.
A fork of the MicroPython project, which sought to create a Python 3-compatible programming language optimised for use on resource-constrained microcontrollers, Adafruit's CircuitPython has grown from an in-house effort supported on the company's own microcontroller platforms to a common choice for everything from badge projects and classic console upgrades to calculators.
Work on CircuitPython 5.0.0 has been underway for some time, and is now nearing completion with the release this week of the first release candidate — a version of the software that is considered feature-complete but which still requires testing and potential bug fixes before being made more generally available.
CircuitPython 5.0.0 brings with it a range of improvements, including support for a wider range of microcontroller development boards including Sony's Spresense family, the STM32F4, and the i.MX RT10xx range. Other enhancements include an updated display library which adds support for greyscale OLED panels and ePaper displays, reworked Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support, and the platform's first support for audio via pulse-width modulation (PWM).
Adafruit is encouraging developers to try out CircuitPython 5.0.0 on as wide a range of devices as possible prior to its final release, to iron out the last few bugs. It is available to download now, alongside the stable release, from the official website — simply select your target board to find the relevant link.