Presto: Smart display with Raspberry Pi chip for makers and tinkerers

Smart displays are available at relatively affordable prices from retailers such as Amazon. They can be used for controlling smart homes, playing back music, or displaying video feeds from security cameras. The Pimoroni Presto is essentially a smart display, but with a unique twist. Specifically, the device includes a development board with extensive features and is clearly aimed at users who enjoy working on their own project and have the know-how to do so. 

The Presto is equipped with an RP2050B chip, which boasts two Cortex-M33 cores clocked at 150 MHz, along with flash storage, RAM, and a microSD card slot for storing files, such as photos. The device sports a 4-inch IPS touchscreen with a 480 x 480 resolution. Moreover, it supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity and comes with a battery connector that accepts 3 to 5.5 volts, enabling it to operate independently of a power outlet.

Other notable features include seven built-in LEDs capable of displaying RGB colours, and a small piezo speaker for the likes of alerts and notifications. Additional circuit boards, such as sensors, can be connected via Qwiic and Stemma QT.  Pimonori offers a starter kit that includes a small I2C controller and a multifunctional sensor capable of motion detection. The system can be programmed in C, C++ and MicroPython, with accompanying documentation to help users get started. The Pimoroni Presto alone is priced at around $92, whilst the starter kit will set you back approximately $132. Those who are interested should review the company’s shipping policies before making a purchase.