This is not directly related to the ESP8266, but still on the same broader subject of WiFi modules for the IoT, so I ask Richard for forgiveness
I started today a Kickstarter campaign featuring a set of boards based on an OpenWRT and AR9331 SoC WiFi module, the Domino.IO:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/706167548/dominoio-an-open-hardware-wifi-platform-for-things
More information also available at: http://domino.io/
I am posting here, as I see an AR9331-based WiFi module as a complement the the ESP8266-based ones: they are a little more expensive and larger, but they are capable of streaming audio, video and hosting Internet-class servers, frameworks and languages, whereas the smaller and cheaper ESP8266 boards are more appropriate for simpler needs.
For those among you that follow me, everything started with posts in the OpenWRT forum 3 years ago:
https://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?id=36471
http://squonk42.github.io/TL-WR703N/
The small size and capabilities of the TP-Link TL-WR703N router pushed me (and a lot of other persons too) to use this pocket router for enabling WiFi IoT projects.
1 year ago, I partnered with the nice people from GL Technology (manufacturer of the GL.iNet pocket router https://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?id=47715) in order to deliver a set of boards that are both cheap, capable and expandable:
- The Domino Core is the core AR9331-based WiFi module at the heart of all the other boards. We want it cheap, so it is @ $10 for early birds, target price will depend on volumes, but will be kept as low as possible
- The Domino Pi is a development board featuring a Domino Core module, a DC/DC power supply, an integrated USB <=> UART bridge and a printed PCB antenna
- The Domino Qi Mini is also based on the Domino Core, but also features an ATMega32U4 MCU and is fully Arduino Yun compatible, although 1/2 price of the original one and crammed into a much smaller form factor
- The Domino Qi is a base board adapter for the Domino Qi Mini, that transforms it into a full-sized Arduino board shield, so that you can re-use all your existing shields
But besides these hardware boards, we also want to promote services for makers to help them transform their ideas into marketable products: it is not easy to approach Chinese manufacturers to industrialize a prototype board into a mass production one, not counting for part provisioning, assembly, quality control and shipping...
With this campaign, we would like to create such full life-cycle services for makers covering all these aspects at an affordable price. As WiFi specialists, these services not only cover AR9331-based boards, but also ESP8266 ones, as the technologies and requirements are very similar.
Don't hesitate to comment on this and please spread the word around you!