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Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

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Re: Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

#11

Post by emilfihlman »

retox wrote: post #4
jstroem wrote: post #2

Hi HN Here to show a little library that makes it easier to write custom JavaScript code that flashes ESP32s. The library uses the new WebSerial API available in Edge and Chrome browsers.

Not to belittle your project, I'm all for hackers hacking on interesting projects, but I really am confused why such an API exists within the browser. The MDN page talks about browser connected 3D printers and boards like the ESP32, but boggles my mind that time and energy was expended to enable this.

The value proposition of this is pretty great, actually, and the implementation of it can be rather simple even though the actual interfaces underneath are rather fucked up historically because at it's core it's merely just getting a stream of bytes in/out.

Re: Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

#12

Post by Shish2k »

retox wrote: post #4
jstroem wrote: post #2

Hi HN Here to show a little library that makes it easier to write custom JavaScript code that flashes ESP32s. The library uses the new WebSerial API available in Edge and Chrome browsers.

Not to belittle your project, I'm all for hackers hacking on interesting projects, but I really am confused why such an API exists within the browser. The MDN page talks about browser connected 3D printers and boards like the ESP32, but boggles my mind that time and energy was expended to enable this.

Chrome is no longer “a browser”, it’s more like the new JVM - the “write once, run anywhere” platform for desktop app deployment

Re: Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

#13

Post by Shish2k »

sorz wrote: post #7

Want to know when Firefox will support Web Serial API, but turn out they won't since they consider it harmful: https://mozilla.github.io/standards-positions/#webserial

This makes sense when you realise Firefox is trying to be a web browser, and Chrome is trying to be an operating system...

Re: Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

#14

Post by OJFord »

sorz wrote: post #7

Want to know when Firefox will support Web Serial API, but turn out they won't since they consider it harmful: https://mozilla.github.io/standards-positions/#webserial

And isn't the submission a prime example (of how it could be misused)?

Consider:

> Show HN: Trick people into flashing their ESP32s with your firmware by visiting your web page

Re: Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

#15

Post by cinntaile »

sorz wrote: post #7

Want to know when Firefox will support Web Serial API, but turn out they won't since they consider it harmful: https://mozilla.github.io/standards-positions/#webserial

They're going to have to implement this sooner or later if they want to remain relevant. More and more happens in the browser, regardless of whether they like it or not.

Re: Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

#16

Post by lpcvoid »

schwartzworld wrote: post #10
retox wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not to belittle your project, I'm all for hackers hacking on interesting projects, but I really am confused why such an API exists within the browser. The MDN page talks about browser connected 3D printers and boards like the ESP32, but boggles my mind that time and energy was expended to enable this.

One of the big benefits of web apps, is that they are truly portable. I can run my app on any machine with a relatively up-to-date web browser. Like it or not, this is leading to more and more serious work being done in the browser. Aren't APIs like this almost inevitable?

I really, honestly hope that this by some miracle will not happen. The "modern web" is the most bloated, slow and inefficient mess imaginable. Not knocking the browsers themselves, those are marvels of engineering, but yeah.

Re: Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

#17

Post by orangepanda »

jstroem wrote: post #2

Hi HN Here to show a little library that makes it easier to write custom JavaScript code that flashes ESP32s. The library uses the new WebSerial API available in Edge and Chrome browsers.

> available in Edge and Chrome browsers

Edge having better support for new features than firefox.. Truly a brave new world

Re: Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

#18

Post by swiley »

orangepanda wrote: post #17
jstroem wrote: post #2

Hi HN Here to show a little library that makes it easier to write custom JavaScript code that flashes ESP32s. The library uses the new WebSerial API available in Edge and Chrome browsers.

> available in Edge and Chrome browsers Edge having better support for new features than firefox.. Truly a brave new world

The same was true of Active-X with IE at one point.

Re: Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

#20

Post by andylynch »

OJFord wrote: post #14
sorz wrote: post #7

Want to know when Firefox will support Web Serial API, but turn out they won't since they consider it harmful: https://mozilla.github.io/standards-positions/#webserial

And isn't the submission a prime example (of how it could be misused)? Consider: > Show HN: Trick people into flashing their ESP32s with your firmware by visiting your web page

Thinking about libidevice and webusb I’d be curious to try doing this with an iPhone.
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