{"product_id":"pico-w-smart-led-matrix-stellar-unicorn-16x16-256-pixels","title":"Pico W Smart LED Matrix – Stellar Unicorn (16x16 – 256 pixels)","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur space Unicorns are very beautiful, all-in-one, RP2040-powered LED matrices perfect for conveying information fabulously (or for sprucing up your desktop, making space or imaginarium). There are a ton of features aboard, here are some of our favourites!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoads of RGB LEDs, all with individual colour and brightness control. We're in mad love with these big bright squircular LEDs with their rounded apertures and built-in diffusion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLooks great on video - invoking RP2040 magic means we can update the LEDs really quickly (we measured around 300 fps at 14-bit precision). This means there's no nasty strobing, artifacting or brightness stepping when it's filmed, so it's perfect for adding to the background of your streaming setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2.4GHz wireless connectivity (courtesy of the Raspberry Pi Pico W) so you can use it to display all sorts of interesting data from the internet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's also an onboard amp and little speaker for bleepy alerts and *futuristic noises* and a battery connector so you can power it without it having to be tethered to a USB port. Every Unicorn comes with a pair of sleek little metal legs so it can stand up on its own (and has a selection of mounting holes if you'd prefer to do something else).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse it to make a very fancy clock, a very fancy weather display or a very fancy output for sensors (other very fancy use cases are available).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRaspberry Pi Pico W Aboard\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual Arm Cortex M0+ running at up to 133Mhz with 264kB of SRAM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2MB of QSPI flash supporting XiP\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePowered and programmable by USB micro-B\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2.4GHz wireless\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e256\/583\/1024 RGB LEDs in a 16x16\/53x11\/32x32 grid\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3.5mm LEDs with rounded square apertures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6mm LED spacing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDriven by FM6047 constant current LED drivers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMAX98357 3.2W I2S Mono Amplifier (with 30mm 1W speaker)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhototransistor for light sensing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 tactile user buttons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReset button\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2x Qw\/ST (\u003ca href=\"\/search?q=stemma+qt+cables\u0026amp;narrow_by=\u0026amp;sort_by=relevency\u0026amp;page=1\"\u003eQwiic\/STEMMA QT\u003c\/a\u003e) connectors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJST-PH connector for attaching a battery (5.5V max)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully assembled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo soldering required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\"\u003eC\/C++ and MicroPython libraries\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSchematics - \u003ca href=\"chrome-extension:\/\/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj\/https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0174\/1800\/files\/stellar_unicorn_schematic.pdf?v=1688395833\"\u003eStellar\u003c\/a\u003e \/ \u003ca href=\"chrome-extension:\/\/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj\/https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0174\/1800\/files\/galactic_unicorn_schematic.pdf?v=1667910096\"\u003eGalactic\u003c\/a\u003e \/ \u003ca href=\"chrome-extension:\/\/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj\/https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0174\/1800\/files\/cosmic_unicorn_schematic.pdf?v=1677236038\"\u003eCosmic\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSoftware\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo make it really easy to get started, all Unicorns come pre-loaded with MicroPython and a demo reel of examples.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you're using C\/C++ or pirate-brand MicroPython to program your Unicorn, you'll have access to our PicoGraphics library, which includes handy functions for displaying text, shapes and images. You can also control the colour and brightness of each pixel individually, of course!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMicroPython\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learn.pimoroni.com\/tutorial\/hel\/getting-started-with-pico\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e(Learn) Getting Started with Raspberry Pi Pico\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/releases\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDownload pirate-brand MicroPython\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExamples -\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/micropython\/examples\/stellar_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStellar\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\/\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/micropython\/examples\/galactic_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGalactic\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\/\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/micropython\/examples\/cosmic_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCosmic\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnicorn function reference -\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/micropython\/modules\/stellar_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStellar\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\/\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/micropython\/modules\/galactic_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGalactic\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\/\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/micropython\/modules\/cosmic_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCosmic\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/micropython\/modules\/picographics\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePicographics function reference\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/blob\/main\/faqs-micropython.md\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMicroPython FAQs\u003c\/a\u003e (and troubleshooting)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eC\/C++\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExamples -\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/examples\/stellar_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStellar\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\/\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/examples\/galactic_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGalactic\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\/\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/examples\/cosmic_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCosmic\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnicorn function reference -\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/libraries\/stellar_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStellar\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\/\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/libraries\/galactic_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGalactic\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\/\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/libraries\/cosmic_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCosmic\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/pimoroni\/pimoroni-pico\/tree\/main\/libraries\/galactic_unicorn\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePicographics function reference\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperimental\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/Gadgetoid\/galactic-bluetooth-audio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBlunicorn Bluetooth speaker firmware\u003c\/a\u003e, with fancy FFT visualisation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/Gadgetoid\/gu-multiverse\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGalactic Unicorn: Multiverse\u003c\/a\u003e - drive multiple Unicorns as a single display from a host computer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePackage Contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStellar\/Galactic\/Cosmic Unicorn (with a speaker attached)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2x metal legs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUSB A to micro-B cable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNotes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower consumption stats! We measured Galactic and Cosmic Unicorn as consuming just over 1A at maximum brightness, full white. When choosing a battery, consider that the LEDs will look their absolute best when they have access to at least 3.6V of power. At lower voltage levels you will start to see the blue elements of the LEDs fading out - this starts to become very noticeable at 2.9V and below. For best results when running on battery, we'd suggest using a chunky LiPo (check out the extras for some suggestions).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNote that Unicorns have no battery charging hardware onboard - this is so you can use either alkaline or LiPo batteries safely. You'll need to charge up your LiPo battery with a separate battery charger (we like LiPo Amigo).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSquircle alert! Some batches of Unicorns have LEDs with more rounded apertures (though the LED specs and brightness remain the same). They all look good, but if you want a perfectly visually matched pair (or stable) of Unicorns it's probably best to buy them at the same time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Pimoroni","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50847604015377,"sku":"PIM676","price":31.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/6285\/6209\/files\/pico-w-smart-led-matrix-stellar-unicorn-16x16-256-pixels-pimoroni-pim676-40783506145475.jpg?v=1735216296","url":"https:\/\/abcd3032.myshopify.com\/products\/pico-w-smart-led-matrix-stellar-unicorn-16x16-256-pixels","provider":"Tayyab Zak","version":"1.0","type":"link"}