He replaced a few components such as the CPU but we have seen Linux booted on a hard disc. Not from a hard disc but on the controller itself on the hard disc.
ESP8266 and ESP32 and the like are pretty tiny and have wifi and BT and a shedload of GPIOs and whatnot available. At £2 or less retail a pop! A "monster" system involving a Pi Zero costs about £5 retail.
My toaster is clockwork based or me and a long fork and a open hearth. My fridge/freezer on the other hand has a wifi link. It is on the SEWER VLAN which is for those devices that scare me somewhat and has a rather limited view of the world.
ESP8266 and ESP32 and the like are pretty tiny and have wifi and BT and a shedload of GPIOs and whatnot available. At £2 or less retail a pop! A "monster" system involving a Pi Zero costs about £5 retail.
My toaster is clockwork based or me and a long fork and a open hearth. My fridge/freezer on the other hand has a wifi link. It is on the SEWER VLAN which is for those devices that scare me somewhat and has a rather limited view of the world.