[straight-shoota]

IronOS is actually a firmware, not a classical operating system. The soldering iron is like many modern appliances a smart device and contains a RISC-V CPU on which the firmware runs. I bought a Pinecil as well this year, and it's really a great tool, and I dare say much more versatile and powerful than many traditional soldering stations which cost much more.

[Cockbrand]

I got the older TS100, for which IronOS was created originally, and it makes such a difference compared to a "dumb" soldering iron. I'm not very skilled in soldering, but the tool makes up for a lot of that.

Nevertheless, I would never have thought that I'd ever own a soldering iron requiring firmware.

[sshine]

I still don’t get it.

My soldering iron is a hot piece of metal with a plastic handle. It works. What am I missing out on?

[jmye]

Got it, thanks! That makes way more sense to me.

[Kailhus]

I’m sorry but I still don’t get it either. If it’s hot enough, you’ll know it’s ready when it starts melting whatever you use to solder. Why would one need anything more?