Previously, M5Stack showcased several products, including an ESP32-S3-based Mini computer, a LoRa module, a dongle, and others, such as a Router kit, a dev kit, and an air quality kit.
Now, the company has launched the M5StickS3 mini dev kit, a high-performance powerhouse based on ESP32-S3 with a battery, in the era of programmable small extensions defined by the tailored need to simplify the process of building remote control and IoT applications. It consists of the technologically advanced ESP32-S3-PICO-1-N8R8 chip with a dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor at a speed up to 240MHz. The hardware base is also backed up by 8MB of Flash and 8MB of PSRAM, which guarantees that developers have the memory and speed they need to implement any complex logic, data buffer and also communicate wirelessly through 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
The unit, surprisingly housed in such a tiny footprint of 48 x 24 x 15 mm, is highly endowed with a very rich mix of interactive hardware. The LCD display is a vivid 1.14-inch screen that offers clear visual feedback, and with an in-built 6-axis IMU sensor, the device is able to capture tempo and orientation. Among other improvements in this model is its advanced audio architecture, which consists of a combination of the ES8311 mono audio codec, a high-sensitivity MEMS microphone, and an AW8737 power amplifier. The M5StickS3 can be used to play high-quality audio files and do full voice recognition. This qualifies it to be an outstanding choice when it comes to the construction of localised voice AI assistants or smarter intercom systems.
The design is also practical, with the inclusion of features such as an in-built infrared receiver and transmitter, which enables the device to communicate with traditional home appliances. It uses a 250mAh lithium internal battery and has a magnetic back, which allows it to be easily attached to any metallic surface to be stationarily monitored or to be used as a portable monitor.
It has a Grove interface and a Hat2 expansion bus that can be used by users who want to add more functionality to the device, which remains compatible with a broad selection of external sensors and modules. The M5StickS3 is an industry-compatible product, backed by the popular development platforms of Arduino, UIFlow2 and ESP-IDF, and provides a natural progression from a prototype to a production-quality solution fabricated in the industry. Use it in a smart home automation application, an industrial data logging application, or in a wearable application, and it offers a professional-level experience that will make it seem larger than its tiny dimensions.
In terms of supply, the official M5Stack store shows that its stock is up-to-date (there are 10+ units available). Moreover, M5StickS3 is also available at other official distributors, such as AliExpress and OpenLab, at $21.50.edge
Niladri Chowdhury 
Sayantan Nandy