CircuitPython 6.0.0 Beta 1

This is the second beta release of CircuitPython 6.0.0. It is relatively stable overall. See port status below for more stability detail. This release includes a new canio API, support for the 128x64 OLED and many fixes. Please use 5.3.x if you need a stable version of CircuitPython.

Download from circuitpython.org

Downloads are available from circuitpython.org. The site makes it easy to select the correct file and language for your board. The downloads page is here. Downloads are no longer available from the GitHub release pages because of the large number of files for each release.

Installation

To install follow the instructions in our new Welcome to CircuitPython! guide. To install the latest libraries, see this page in that guide.

Try the latest version of the Mu editor for creating and editing your CircuitPython programs and for easy access to the CircuitPython serial connection (the REPL).

Port status

CircuitPython has a number of "ports" that are the core implementation for a variety of microcontroller families. Stability varies on a per-port basis. As of this release, atmel-samd, nrf, and stm for the F4 family are stable. cxd56, esp32s2, and stm for other chip families are being actively improved but may be missing functionality and have bugs. litex and mimxrt10xx are in an alpha state and will have bugs and missing functionality.

New features and improvements since 6.0.0 Beta 0

API changes and additions

• Add canio API for communicating over CAN BUS #3425 #3466 Thanks @dhalbert, @jepler and @siddacious
• The default speed of busio.I2C and board.I2C is now 100khz, not 400khz as before. Use busio.I2C to set the speed explicitly. #3471 Thanks @caternuson, @ladyada, @hierophect and @tannewt
• Add SH1107_addressing kwarg to displayio.Display to support the SH1107 used in the 128x64 OLED with the new library. #3450 Thanks @mdroberts1243 and @jepler

Fixes and enhancements

• Fix memory corruption with sharp display. #3497 Thanks @jepler
• Fix hang when using OnDiskBitmap with a file on an SDCard. #3449 Thanks to @FoamyGuy and @jepler
• Update TinyUSB to get MIDI SysEx fix. #3473 Thanks @mzero and @tannewt
• Pins in board now print with their board name. #3470 Thanks @askpatrickw

Board- and port-specific changes

• ESP32-S2:
  • Fix digitalio on pins that don't default to GPIO and fix reading back output value. #3495 Thanks @tannewt
  • Fix connecting to wifi without scanning first. #3489 Thanks @astrobokonon
  • Fix SPI write_value support so SD cards work. #3448 Thanks @hierophect, @jepler and @emard
  • Fix time.time and time.localtime. #3451 Thanks @microdev1, @hierophect, @askpatrickw and @anecdata
  • Build and release UF2 files #3475 Thanks @tannewt
• NRF52: Fix SPI display issue caused by QSPI disable. #3453 Thanks @DavePutz, @jerryneedell, @cjsieh and @xiongyihui
• UnexpectedMaker FeatherS2: Pin mapping updates. #3463 Thanks @UnexpectedMaker
• Wio Terminal: Turn on 40 pin connector. #3478 Thanks to @ansonhe97
• QT Py: Turn on NeoPixel and correct pinout. #3457 Thanks to @ladyada

Documentation

• Numerous translation additions and improvements. Thanks:
  • @wtuemura (Brazilian Portugese)
  • @bergdahl (Swedish)
  • @ciscorn (Japanese)
  • @fede2cr (Spanish)
  • @tawez, @dobra-dobra (Polish)
• Add design guide note about const() use. #3481 Thanks to @caternuson

Internals and build process

• Include port directories in translation process. #3491 #3486 Thanks to @jepler and @microdev1
• _and_ and _or_ no longer replaced in QSTRs. #3456 Thanks to @jepler

Full commit log is here.

Breaking changes since 5.x

• i2cslave is now i2cperipheral and the class in it is changed as well.
• The stop kwarg has been removed from I2C.writeto(). If no stop is desired, then use writeto_then_readfrom.
• The default speed of busio.I2C and board.I2C is now 100khz, not 400khz as before. Use busio.I2C to set the speed explicitly. #3471 Thanks @caternuson, @ladyada, @hierophect and @tannewt

New boards since 6.0.0 Beta 0

• Adafruit QT Py Haxpress #3476 Thanks @jepler and @ladyada
• Adafruit Metro ESP32S2 #3495 Thanks @tannewt and @ladyada

Known issues

• RGBMatrix crashes. Please use 6.0.0 Beta 2.
• See https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython/issues for other issues.

Thanks

Thank you to all who used, tested, and contributed since 6.0.0 Beta 0, including @anecdata, @ansonhe97, @askpatrickw, @astrobokonon, @bergdahl, @caternuson, @ciscorn, @cjsieh, @cwalther, @DavePutz, @dobra-dobra, @emard, @fede2cr, @FoamyGuy, @hierophect, @jepler, @jerryneedell, @ladyada, @mdroberts1243, @microdev1, @siddacious, @tannewt, @tawez, @UnexpectedMaker, @wtuemura, @xiongyihui and many more on Discord. Join us on the Discord chat to collaborate.

Documentation

Documentation is available in readthedocs.io.

This release is based on MicroPython 1.9.4 @25ae98f. Support upstream MicroPython by purchasing a PyBoard (from Adafruit here) or sponsoring MicroPython on GitHub.

Translations

One important feature of CircuitPython is translated control and error messages. With the help of fellow open source project Weblate, we're making it even easier to add or improve translations. Sign in with an existing account such as Github, Google or Facebook and start contributing through a simple web interface. No forks or pull requests needed!

Troubleshooting

Check out this guide for info on common problems with CircuitPython. If you are still having issues, then post to the Adafruit Support Forums and join Discord.

Assets

Builds are no longer stored as assets on this release page, because there are too many of them. Please see the Download from circuitpython.org section above.