Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Espruino VS wasp-os

Compare Espruino VS wasp-os and see what are their differences

Espruino logo Espruino

Espruino is an open-source interpreter tool for microcontrollers that is based on JavaScript.

wasp-os logo wasp-os

Firmware for smart watches based on the nRF52 family of microcontrollers (including Pine64 PineTime)
  • Espruino Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-21
  • wasp-os Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-03

Espruino features and specs

  • JavaScript Programming
    Espruino allows developers to write code in JavaScript, which is widely used and familiar to many, making it easy to learn and use for web developers.
  • Interactivity
    The platform facilitates interactive development with a REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) interface, enabling real-time testing and debugging.
  • Low Power Consumption
    Espruino is designed to run on low-power microcontrollers, making it suitable for battery-powered and energy-efficient applications.
  • Rapid Prototyping
    With its JavaScript language and immediate execution, Espruino is ideal for rapid prototyping and quick iteration on ideas.
  • Ease of Use
    Espruino's API is straightforward and well-documented, which lowers the barrier to entry for developers new to hardware programming.

Possible disadvantages of Espruino

  • Performance Limitations
    As an interpreted language, Espruino might be slower compared to compiled languages like C or C++, which can be a constraint for performance-critical applications.
  • Limited Complexity
    Due to its simplicity and targeting of microcontrollers, Espruino might not be suitable for very complex applications or those requiring extensive computation.
  • Memory Constraints
    Running JavaScript on microcontrollers can lead to higher memory usage compared to more traditional embedded systems programming, which can be an issue on devices with limited RAM.
  • Library Availability
    While there is a growing library ecosystem, it is not as extensive as those available for more established platforms and languages like Arduino or Python.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Non-Web Developers
    Developers without a background in JavaScript or web development might find the transition to Espruino a bit challenging initially compared to more conventional embedded languages.

wasp-os features and specs

  • Open Source
    Wasp-os is open source, allowing users to freely inspect, modify, and enhance the code as needed. This can foster a collaborative development environment and enable customization to fit individual needs.
  • Lightweight
    Designed to be a lightweight operating system suitable for limited hardware resources like smartwatches, leading to efficient power usage and potentially extended battery life.
  • Python Support
    Wasp-os supports applications written in Python, which is a widely known and easy-to-learn programming language, making app development accessible to a broader audience.
  • Community Driven
    Since it is community-driven, there is potential for rapid iteration and continuous improvement based on community feedback and contributions.
  • Device Compatibility
    It is compatible with several low-power devices, enabling users to experiment with a variety of hardware without being locked into a single ecosystem.

Possible disadvantages of wasp-os

  • Limited Features
    Compared to commercial smartwatch operating systems, wasp-os might lack some advanced features and applications, which could be a drawback for users seeking a more comprehensive smartwatch experience.
  • Smaller User Base
    Having a smaller user base might mean less widespread support and fewer online resources for troubleshooting when compared to more popular operating systems.
  • Development Overhead
    Using an open-source and customizable platform like wasp-os might require more initial setup and ongoing maintenance, which can be a disadvantage for users looking for a plug-and-play experience.
  • Limited Hardware Optimization
    As a general-purpose operating system, it may not be as finely optimized for specific hardware as proprietary systems developed by device manufacturers.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Being a community-driven, open-source project, wasp-os might face occasional stability and performance issues as new features and updates are continuously integrated.

Espruino videos

Espruino WiFi specs | Just Board

wasp-os videos

A tour of the new applications for wasp-os and PineTime

More videos:

  • Review - wasp-os: PineTime OTA from Infinitime to wasp-os and back again
  • Tutorial - How to develop wasp-os python applications on a Pine64 PineTime

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Espruino and wasp-os)
Personalization
40 40%
60% 60
OS & Utilities
41 41%
59% 59
Tech
43 43%
57% 57
Health And Fitness
25 25%
75% 75

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, wasp-os seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Espruino mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Espruino yet. Tracking of Espruino recommendations started around Jan 2022.

wasp-os mentions (3)

  • Quest for My Perfect Watch
    Try wasp-os https://github.com/daniel-thompson/wasp-os I have a colmi P8 and it was easy to get wasp-os uploaded and now have micropython available with direct connection into the watch! Battery life is really only 24-48hrs if you don’t do anything heavy. Sometimes I wonder how more useful it is than my apple watch. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Install apps in wasp-os / PineTime
    I want to install some apps available in the repository https://github.com/daniel-thompson/wasp-os on my PineTime running wasp-os, because some were not shipped with the official 0.4.1 release. Any idea how to do that? Source: over 2 years ago
  • Pinetime developer guide?
    You can also have a look at early commits from existing project (Waspos, InfiniTime, Hypnos,...). For example, the very first commit of InfiniTime consisted in a simple main and a blink task. Source: almost 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Espruino and wasp-os, you can also consider the following products

InfiniTime - InfiniTime is an open-source, C++-based firmware OS specifically made for the PineTime smartwatch.

InfiniLink - iOS Companion App for InfiniTime and the PineTime smartwatch

Wear OS Center - Wear OS Center – Android Wear Apps, Games, and News is an all-in-one launcher for your smartwatch that delivers all your Android Wear apps and watches faces all in a single place.

watchOS - Apple's new OS for the Apple Watch ⌚

Wear Gesture Launcher - Wear Gesture Launcher – Wear OS – Wear Launcher that lets you forget about swiping that long of small icons, just tap, draw, and do.

Wear OS by Google Smartwatch - Wear OS by Google Smartwatch (was Android Wear) is a powerful app that syncs your smartwatch and phone so you can get more 0ut of your watch.