Welcome to a new edition of InTheMail, where we unbox and explore the latest additions to my ever-growing collection of electronics gadgets and tools. This time around, we’ve got a diverse array of items, from smart home devices to specialized tools for electronics enthusiasts. First up, we have the Aqara Magic Cube, a nifty little Zigbee switch that can be programmed to trigger various actions in your home automation setup.
With its built-in accelerometer, you can simply flip, rotate, or shake the cube to adjust things like lighting or appliances. I’m excited to integrate this into my smart home system and ditch those pesky wall switches. Next, we’ve got a fingerprint lock that I plan to install on a cabinet or drawer. While not meant for high-security applications, it’s a convenient way to keep certain items private without the need for a physical key.
The build quality seems decent, and the external power port is a handy feature. For my electronics workbench, I’ve acquired a silicone mat, clean room wipes, and various cleaning brushes. The mat will provide a nice, non-slip surface for my new digital microscope, while the wipes and brushes will help keep my workspace spotless.
Speaking of microscopes, I’ve also picked up a set of AWG32 stranded wires in various colors. These ultra-thin wires will come in handy for intricate repairs, modifications, and bodges on PCBs. One item that caught my eye is an ingenious Apple AirTag mount designed to fit seamlessly into a bicycle’s water bottle cage.
This clever hiding spot should deter thieves from spotting the AirTag, making it an effective anti-theft solution for my bike. For my electronics tinkering needs, I’ve acquired a set of RFM95W LoRa modules and a DSLogic Plus logic analyzer. The LoRa modules will be useful for wireless projects, while the logic analyzer will allow me to analyze and debug complex digital circuits with its impressive 400MHz sampling rate and 16-channel capability.
Last but not least, I’ve got a unique ESP32-based WiFi display unit that pulls data like weather and time from the internet. While primarily a demo unit, it’s a cool hardware platform that could be repurposed for various smart sensor network applications.