After playing with an LCD screen for weeks, I realize that my lack of C++ experience is really hindering any sort of advancement in this sphere. It's a much lower level language than Python, which is the only computer language I speak. I'm limited limited by this shortcoming, so I've decided to whip up a side project or two with the explicit with the goal of learning how to speak C++ while simultaneously doing something cool. I'll be designing a module for the Flipper Zero I'm calling the Squeaker, an amateur radio GPIO add-on that will allow for monitoring and, hopefully, transmitting of the two-meter and 70-centimeter amateur radio bands.

On the actual project side, I've decided to move away from the original Zero 2W form factor boards that inspired this project to the beefier Compute Module 4 (CM4) form factor boards, specifically the Orange PI CM4 module. Instead of worrying about which pins have been exposed, how they're exposed, removing unnecessary USB ports, etc that I'd have to content with, I can design a motherboard that the CM4 will plug into, thus I can route whatever I want wherever I want without issue. As I've already figured out how to deal with Hirose B2B connectors during the Keyboard Project, I'm certain I can get these adapters figured out. Another benefit of using the CM4 is that it can directly drive LCDs via a 2-lane and a 4-lane MIPI DSI channel, thus simplifying the end system; just wire a connector so that it jives with the LCD and you're good! Much simpler, as displays are one of the few unstandardized modern parts I've run into. I dunno what that's about but it definitely sucks to find out that these displays you bought are not very cross-compatible!

The HB1 is looking like it will contain the following: a display, the Q20 keyboard and associated subprocessor, the SIM7600G-H to provide 4G/LTE and GPS, a GPIO header similar to the Flipper Zero but with better port selection, some general purpose well rounded camera sensor, and maybe a couple of radio receivers/transceivers, depending on how much space I have in the case. I'll begin sketching up what that looks like once the OPi CM4 arrives and I get some  boards made to test an exploded version of my design.