StickS3 new stick from M5Stack review!

SUMMARY

A Russian YouTuber reviews the M5Stack StickS3 developer board, highlighting its upgraded hardware, expanded capabilities for IoT, pentesting, and AI assistance, plus a teardown and voice assistant demo, positioning it as a worthy successor to prior models.

STATEMENTS

• The M5Stack StickS3 is a versatile developer board akin to an Arduino with built-in sensors and a display, allowing users to write custom programs in multiple languages or install ready-made firmwares for tasks like programming education, smart home control, pentesting, or AI assistance.
• Compared to its predecessor, the StickS3 maintains similar length and width but increases in thickness by 1.5 mm and weight by 3 g, indicating internal enhancements without altering its compact form factor.
• Key hardware upgrades include a separate main button for better tactility, a larger side button for improved usability, and a doubled-row expansion port with twice as many pins, enabling more extension modules while remaining mostly compatible with older ones except for specific incompatible heads like Mini JoyC and 18650C.
• The device now features both an IR transmitter and receiver, eliminating the need for external modules in pentesting firmwares like Bruce, and supports advanced applications such as signal reading and transmission directly.
• Internally, the StickS3 uses the ESP32-PICO-S3 chip with 8 MB PSRAM—four times more than before—for machine learning models, shows improved floating-point performance in benchmarks, and includes a stereo codec ES8311 for audio I/O, a BMI270 gyro-accelerometer, and PY38 power controller requiring double presses for on/off.
• While popular firmwares are not yet fully ported, the Xiao G assistant is available via M5Burner, allowing voice interactions in multiple languages, including humorous Russian responses, for quick queries or Home Assistant integration via MQTT.

IDEAS

• Developer boards like the StickS3 democratize advanced tech by bundling microcontrollers, sensors, and displays into pocket-sized packages, making IoT and AI experimentation accessible without soldering expertise.
• The addition of an IR receiver transforms the device into a standalone pentesting tool, bypassing the need for custom add-ons that were previously cumbersome for firmwares like Bruce.
• Doubling the expansion pins opens doors to compact modules like LoRa for mesh networks, potentially revolutionizing low-power, long-range IoT projects in wearables or remote sensors.
• Upgrading to 8 MB PSRAM enables on-device quantized neural networks, hinting at edge AI capabilities where the StickS3 could run lightweight ML models for real-time tasks like gesture recognition or voice processing.
• The stereo codec and full audio support turn the StickS3 into a portable voice assistant, blending hardware modularity with software like Xiao G to create desk-side companions for casual queries or smart home control.
• Internal modularity resembling smartphone motherboards suggests a shift toward more repairable and upgradable embedded systems, reducing e-waste in the maker community.
• Benchmark improvements in floating-point operations demonstrate how chip advancements like ESP32-S3 boost performance for math-intensive apps, such as simulations or data processing on resource-constrained devices.
• The double-press power mechanism via PY38 enhances battery life and user safety, preventing accidental activations in portable setups like keychain gadgets.
• Compatibility caveats with older modules underscore the trade-offs in rapid hardware evolution, forcing users to adapt while gaining future-proof features.
• Voice assistant testing reveals untapped potential for multilingual, personality-infused AI on tiny hardware, where humor integration could make tech interactions more engaging despite current "cringe" limitations.

INSIGHTS

• Compact developer boards like StickS3 lower barriers to entry for AI and IoT, fostering innovation by allowing rapid prototyping without industrial-scale resources.
• Hardware enhancements in memory and audio signal a convergence of embedded systems with consumer AI, enabling personalized assistants that integrate seamlessly into daily environments.
• Expansion port doublings exemplify Moore's Law in action for hobbyist tech, multiplying connectivity options and sparking community-driven module ecosystems.
• IR bidirectionality simplifies pentesting workflows, highlighting how dual-function components reduce complexity and accelerate security tool adoption among enthusiasts.
• Performance benchmarks reveal that PSRAM increases not only support ML but also elevate overall computational efficiency, bridging the gap between microcontrollers and full computers.
• Modular internals promote longevity in devices, encouraging sustainable practices by making upgrades easier than full replacements in the fast-evolving gadget space.

QUOTES

• "Это плата разработчика, а именно микроконтроллер и набор некоторых модулей и сенсоров, которые пользователь может использовать с помощью программ, которые самостоятельно и пишет." (This is a developer board, namely a microcontroller and a set of some modules and sensors that the user can use with programs they write themselves.)
• "Теперь пины расширения с инфракрасным обвесом, а также динамиком и его усилителем, сидят на отдельном шлейфе." (Now the expansion pins with infrared components, as well as the speaker and its amplifier, are on a separate flex cable.)
• "Такое количество памяти необходимо для моделей машинного обучения и квантированных нейронок." (This amount of memory is necessary for machine learning models and quantized neural networks.)
• "Привет, я ваш голосовой помощник SK S3." (Hello, I am your voice assistant SK S3.)
• "Я думаю, это очень интересная и полезная система." (I think this is a very interesting and useful system.)

HABITS

• Regularly measure new gadgets with precision tools like calipers to compare dimensions and detect subtle changes in design.
• Disassemble devices carefully using mediators and screwdrivers to explore internals without damaging components like antennas or displays.
• Test voice assistants by configuring personalities, languages, and prompts to evaluate humor and functionality in real-time interactions.
• Benchmark hardware performance by quickly coding simple scripts for metrics like floating-point operations on new versus old models.
• Keep abreast of firmware ports and market apps by checking updates on platforms like M5Burner for immediate experimentation.
• Integrate devices into smart home setups via protocols like MQTT for hands-free control and quick information retrieval.

FACTS

• The ESP32-PICO-S3 chip in StickS3 provides 8 MB PSRAM, quadrupling the memory of previous models to support advanced AI tasks.
• The device's thickness increased by 1.5 mm and weight by 3 g due to added components like the stereo codec and improved power management.
• The BMI270 sensor combines gyroscope and accelerometer functions for motion detection in a single package.
• IR receiver addition allows bidirectional communication, essential for pentesting without extra hardware.
• Double-press activation via PY38 controller prevents accidental power cycles, optimizing for battery-powered portable use.

REFERENCES

• M5Stack StickS3 product page (shop.m5stack.com).
• M5Burner app market for firmware installations.
• ESPHome and Home Assistant for smart home integration.
• Bruce firmware for pentesting applications.
• Xiao G assistant for AI voice interactions.
• ESP32-PICO-S3 microcontroller.
• BMI270 gyro-accelerometer sensor.
• ES8311 stereo codec.
• PY38 power management controller.
• Head Mini JoyC, Head Mini Encoder C, and Head 18650C incompatible modules.
• LoRa module for potential mesh networking expansions.

HOW TO APPLY

• Start by measuring the device's dimensions with calipers to verify compatibility with cases or mounts from previous models, noting the 1.5 mm thickness increase.
• Install firmwares via M5Burner by connecting the StickS3 to a computer, selecting Xiao G or other available apps, and flashing directly for quick setup.
• Test IR functionality by pairing with pentesting tools like Bruce once ported, using the built-in transmitter and receiver to capture and replay signals without add-ons.
• Configure the voice assistant on platforms like SillyTavern by setting language to Russian, defining a humorous personality, and testing queries for responses via the ES8311 codec.
• Disassemble cautiously by removing stickers to reveal the side antenna, unscrewing rear screws, and prying open clips with a mediator to access internals for custom modifications.
• Integrate with Home Assistant by enabling MQTT protocol support in Xiao G, allowing voice commands to control lights or devices from the StickS3 as a bedside terminal.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

The M5Stack StickS3 upgrades compact IoT hardware with AI-ready memory and audio, ideal for makers exploring smart assistants and expansions.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Experiment with Xiao G early to leverage the new audio codec for voice-driven smart home controls via MQTT.
• Prioritize IR-capable firmwares like Bruce for pentesting, capitalizing on the built-in receiver to simplify fieldwork.
• Monitor community ports for full firmware compatibility, ensuring the StickS3 doesn't sit idle during transition from older models.
• Invest in compatible expansion modules, anticipating LoRa releases to build mesh networks for remote IoT applications.
• Customize assistant personalities for practical use, like quick fact-checking, to maximize the device's desk-side utility.

MEMO

In a quiet corner of the maker world, where tiny circuit boards spark big ideas, the M5Stack StickS3 emerges as a sleek evolution of the beloved Stick series. Reviewed by a hands-on YouTuber who delights in tearing apart gadgets, this palm-sized developer board builds on its predecessor's reputation for blending Arduino simplicity with ESP32 power. At first glance, it mirrors the original's compact form—same length and width for easy pocket carry—but tips the scales 3 grams heavier and 1.5 millimeters thicker, whispering of hidden upgrades that promise to redefine portable IoT tinkering.

Peel back the layers, literally, and the StickS3 reveals a internals overhaul worthy of a smartphone teardown. The reviewer, armed with a "high-precision plastic caliper," measures and dissects, uncovering a doubled-row expansion port that doubles pin count for vast module possibilities—from anticipated LoRa mesh networks to sensor arrays. Gone are outdated connectors; in their place, a flexible cable bundles IR components, speaker, and amplifier, while the ESP32-PICO-S3 chip boasts 8 MB of PSRAM, four times the memory for running quantized neural networks on the go. Benchmarks flash on screen, proving floating-point speeds that outpace the old model, courtesy of this beefed-up brain.

Audio takes center stage with the ES8311 stereo codec, transforming the device from a mere buzzer into a chatty companion. The reviewer fires up the Xiao G assistant via M5Burner, configuring it for Russian wit: "Hello, I'm StickS3, your voice helper with a sense of humor." It cracks programmer jokes—"Why is 031 equal to 25? Because 31 in octal is 25 decimal"—eliciting groans but highlighting potential for desk-side queries or Home Assistant commands over MQTT. A full gyro-accelerometer suite and PY38 power chip add polish, with double-press activation ensuring reliability in keychain adventures.

Yet, this upgrade isn't without hitches. Popular firmwares lag in porting, leaving the "orange stick" relevant for now, and certain old modules like Head Mini JoyC won't fit. The IR receiver, a boon for pentesting sans extras, pairs with the transmitter for seamless signal play, but careful reassembly is key to avoid mangling the side-mounted antenna vital for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. As the reviewer notes, the StickS3 feels like a mobile phone motherboard in miniature—modular, complex, and brimming with future-proof promise.

Looking ahead, this board signals a maker renaissance: more apps, third-party extensions, and AI edges in a device smaller than a credit card. For hobbyists eyeing smart homes or ethical hacking, it's a compelling buy—compact power that invites endless experimentation, one flashed firmware at a time.