Show HN: Flash your ESP32 from the browser using JavaScript

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.

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

#5

Post by zinekeller » Wed, Jul 07, 2021, 9:41 AM UTC

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.

Knowing that Chromebooks exists should give you the rough answer why does this exists.

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

#6

Post by zuzkins » Wed, Jul 07, 2021, 9:48 AM UTC

Ah, perfect. Was playing with Toit last Friday and it took me some time to successfully flash my device (for some reason could not easily find the instructions). I also shortened and destroyed my ESP32 (while not paying enough attention :D) and more are coming this week, so will give this a try!

The whole platform looks really interesting.

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

#7

Post by sorz » Wed, Jul 07, 2021, 9:56 AM UTC

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

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

#8

Post by retox » Wed, Jul 07, 2021, 9:57 AM UTC

zinekeller wrote: post #5

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.

Knowing that Chromebooks exists should give you the rough answer why does this exists.

Do Chromebooks only run a browser? I never really looked into them.

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

#9

Post by zinekeller » Wed, Jul 07, 2021, 10:03 AM UTC

retox wrote: post #8

zinekeller wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Knowing that Chromebooks exists should give you the rough answer why does this exists.

Do Chromebooks only run a browser? I never really looked into them.

No longer (it now also runs Android* and certain Linux applications), but at the time Google proposed Web(MIDI/USB/Bluetooth) ChromeOS was only a browser-based operating system.

* Works on their x86 models, but depending on the specific application it's slower due to translation. Android apps runs best on ARM models.

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

#10

Post by schwartzworld » Wed, Jul 07, 2021, 10:20 AM UTC

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.

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?