ChatterBox v2.0 Features
New in ChatterBox v2
Many new features have been added during the past few months, and rolled together into what is now available as v2.1.
I prioritized and added new features centered around making ChatterBox:
Easier to use
Easier to build
Free for most users, much less expensive for everyone else
See Device Types on Neighbors
The neighbors and home screens now show the type of each device currently in LoRa or MQTT range.
You can tell if it’s the root, a node, a proximity sensor, relay (on/off switch), thermal camera, or standard communicator, just by glancing at the icon.
You can touch the icon of any device to interact with the device
Message Priority
When sending a message or broadcast, you can now select lower or higher priority for the message.
A standard / default message shows up with a white background, as it did previously. There are 5 priority levels, which color the message background differently.
In an upcoming release, the priority you select will affect how the message gets delivered as well.
In an upcoming release, the priority you select for a broadcast will cause nodes to light up a certain color, allowing you to visually signal others that do not have a mesh device.
Mark Devices as Critical
The number of devices in your cluster can quickly add up, making it hard to quickly get a message to an important contact.
A new “critical” flag has been added, allowing you to mark any number of devices (communicators, nodes, sensors) as critical.
On various screens, including the device screen and location screen, you can filter to critical devices with one touch.
More Sensor Integrations
As mentioned earlier in the week, thermal cameras can be added to any custom-built T-Decks, and I’ve created easy-to-follow instructions on how to do this (they’re about to get even easier).
I didn’t mention that nodes can now support thermal cameras and remotely retrieve thermal images.
In an upcoming release, nodes will be able to combine the XM125 pulsed coherent radar with live thermal data to accurately identify the presence of a person/animal, as well as its estimated distance and movement speed, and possibly even angle relative to the node.
SD Cards can Switch Between T-Decks
As mentioned in a recent post, ChatterBox no longer locks an SD card to a given T-Deck. Instead, the SD card functions more like an encrypted SIM card.
That locking behavior was intended as a security feature, so you can be sure if someone copies your SD card, they can’t impersonate you on another T-Deck.
However, many people would prefer the convenience of being able backup their SD card and transfer it to another T-Deck if theirs dies or gets lost. You can now do that.
For security, if you want your SD card to remain locked to one T-Deck, you can still do that by changing it in the security settings.
Free for Most Users
Last but certainly not least, I have changed ChatterBox licensing model to make it free for most users, and very inexpensive for everyone else.
Even if the free license works OK for your needs, please consider purchasing a “pro license”, as that goes a long way toward helping to keep this effort going.
I do have hosting and service fees, not to mention a lot of R&D costs to recoup and fully plan to continue supporting new devices (such as Lilygo’s upcoming Pager and K320).
