Samwise Makers' News
Monday, June 22, 2026
WLED 16 Brings Particle Systems, GIF Support, and Custom Fonts to LED Makers
WLED 16 is described as the biggest release in the LED control software’s history, adding powerful new capabilities for makers and lighting enthusiasts. The update introduces a full particle system driving animations like drifting sparks, motion trails, and bursts for matrices and mapped installations. Segment layering now lets effects stack and blend rather than work side-by-side, while smoother playlist transitions offer polished preset changes. GIF playback support arrives alongside PixelForge, a new pixel-art toolbox for creating and editing LED animations. Custom font support and a built-in font editor round out the release, making WLED 16 a major leap for addressable LED projects.
Sources: Adafruit Blog
Matter 1.6 Adds Full NFC Commissioning and Joint Fabric Multi-Admin Support
The Connectivity Standards Alliance has released Matter 1.6, the latest version of the smart home interoperability standard. The headline addition is full NFC-based commissioning — distinct from the NFC onboarding payload introduced in Matter 1.4.1, which still required Bluetooth LE to complete setup. Matter 1.6’s NFC commissioning handles the full process tap-to-connect. The specification also introduces Joint Fabric, which allows multiple user-authorized controllers to co-administer a single shared Matter network, easing handovers in new construction or multi-platform households. Thermostat Suggestions is a new feature for smarter climate control, and a range of core enhancements round out the release.
Sources: CNX Software
SmallRun.net Launches as Marketplace for Maker PCBs, 3D Prints, and Merchandise
SmallRun.net has entered the maker marketplace space, launching a platform targeting small production runs of custom maker products. The site hosts custom PCBs, on-demand 3D prints, and traditional maker goods, but also extends to merchandise categories including tabletop gaming, sciences, and accessories and apparel. For sellers, the platform promises automatic payouts and Stripe-powered tax handling. VAT support for EU imports is still in progress. Sellers can also host project build logs on the platform, potentially driving community engagement and discoverability. The launch adds a new option for makers looking to sell direct without the scale requirements of larger marketplaces.
Sources: Hackaday
ESP8266 Beam-Splitter Build Creates Two-Way Floating Holographic Puzzle Box Display
Maker Julius has built a two-way holographic display that shows different images depending on the viewing angle, using a beam-splitter cube and a pair of OLED displays driven by a Wemos D1 board equipped with an ESP8266 microcontroller. The two displays are positioned in a 3D printed assembly, each aimed at a different face of the beam-splitter cube. Light projected into one face bends 90 degrees and exits another, while partial transmission means each display appears to float in space rather than reflect on a surface. Julius is deploying the build inside a puzzle box game.
Sources: Hackaday
Vintage Magazine Circuit Layouts Get Second Life Via Toner Transfer PCB Method
Maker Bettina Neumryr has demonstrated the classic toner transfer PCB technique using circuit layouts printed directly in a vintage electronics magazine, skipping the computer design step entirely. The process begins by scanning the magazine circuit into a computer and importing it into GIMP, where it is scaled to match physical component dimensions and sharpened to produce a crisp print. The printed layout is then transferred onto copper-clad board using heat, then etched with standard chemistry. While DIY PCB methods involve harsh chemicals and careful process control, they offer a significant time advantage over waiting for professional fabrication to arrive in the mail.
Sources: Hackaday
AAEON UP WCL Fits Intel Core 7 Wildcat Lake Into a Credit Card-Sized SBC
AAEON has announced the UP WCL, an upcoming credit card-sized single-board computer powered by Intel Wildcat Lake processors, up to the Core 7 350 hexa-core model, with support for up to 24GB of LPDDR5 memory and 256GB of UFS storage. The compact board targets edge computing and embedded applications where x86 compatibility and high-performance processing are needed at small form factor. Despite the Wildcat Lake processor’s desktop-class capabilities, the UP WCL adheres to the standard credit card footprint. AAEON is positioning the board for makers and developers who need full x86 performance in a tight space, where ARM-based alternatives previously dominated.
Sources: CNX Software
10Gbit SFP+ Copper Module Teardown Reveals Hidden 8051 MCU and Thermal Limits
A teardown by the This Does Not Compute channel has revealed why budget 10Gbit SFP+ copper modules run hot and eventually fail. The modules, used over Cat-5e to connect a NAS, began dropping frames and showed idle temperatures of 40°C. Inside, the Marvell Alaska X 88X3310 PHY — despite its low-power billing — requires a metal heatsink glued to the IC and thermally coupled to the metal enclosure. An unexpected find was an 8051-based MCU inside, responsible for reporting the module as a 30-meter multi-mode fiber transceiver for switch compatibility. The solution was switching to single-mode fiber with thermally efficient SFP+ modules.
Sources: Hackaday
Maker Builds Six-Module Bug Zapper Suit for Whole-Body Mosquito Defense
YouTube maker Dani Cruster of the DiWHY channel has built a whole-body bug zapper suit using galvanized mesh electrified by six stun gun modules. The key engineering challenge was maintaining a 1 cm gap between mesh layers — enough to prevent the wearer from getting zapped alongside the mosquitoes. Structural elements are formed from PVC plates shaped with a heat gun to fit the body. Each stun gun module runs from a 3V source made from two 1.5V alkaline cells, providing approximately one hour of operation per charge. Field testing revealed arcing at zip ties, requiring a design revision before heading into bug-infested woods.
Sources: Hackaday
Top Crowdfunding
Kickstarter / Indiegogo
1. CardputerZero — live campaign, Kickstarter
2. Revopoint POP 4 — live campaign, Kickstarter
3. xTool WonderPress — live campaign, Kickstarter
GitHub Trending
Makers & Hardware
1. wled/WLED — v16.0.0 release, addressable LED firmware
2. davidmonterocrespo24/velxio — browser-based Arduino/ESP32/Pi emulator
3. None this week
Upcoming Events
Maker Faire Bangkok — June 25–27, Bangkok, Thailand
Maker Faire Wuppertal — June 26, Wuppertal, Germany
Maker Faire San José — June 29, San José, Costa Rica
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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