As an embedded systems enthusiast, there are few things more exciting than the arrival of a fresh development board, especially when it’s free and packed with potential. Recently, I received the Photon 2 from Particle, and it immediately sparked that familiar thrill: the feeling that a new project is just around the corner.
First Impressions
The packaging is simple, elegant, and eco-friendly. Particle has kept things minimal, but it feels intentional, letting the power of the board speak for itself. The blue sleeve branding is subtle and professional, setting the tone for a serious piece of tech.
What’s Inside?
Opening the box reveals the Photon 2 neatly protected in an anti static bag, nestled against a clean cardboard insert. No unnecessary fluff, just the essentials. And that’s something I truly appreciate. It’s a package made for builders, not box collectors.
The Star of the Show: Photon 2
And here it is, the Photon 2 in all its glory. WiFi and BLE 5.0, a powerful MCU, and Particle’s cloud integration make this board a fantastic tool for any IoT prototype or embedded system. The moment I held it, my mind started racing with project ideas, from smart sensors to remote diagnostics systems.
This board isn’t just a tool, it’s an enabler. Whether you’re into prototyping, edge computing, or just learning, the Photon 2 is ready to go.
Getting Started
Particle makes onboarding smooth with a quick start card pointing to part.cl/setup-photon2. This makes diving into development super accessible, even for those new to the Particle ecosystem.
I’ll be setting it up and documenting every step of the way, from flashing firmware to deploying the first cloud connected app. Can’t wait to see how it performs in real world conditions!
Final Thoughts
Getting my hands on the Photon 2 has reignited that childlike excitement that comes with new hardware. I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity to explore it, and I’m even more excited to see where it fits into my future builds.
There’s something magical about a blank canvas, and the Photon 2 feels exactly like that, a gateway to possibilities.
Stay tuned for my next post where I dive into the setup process and first project ideas. Got suggestions or project challenges? Drop them in the comments, I’d love to hear from fellow makers!