I don’t think it is lot more work to use I2C expanded IO, in a project that I am working on I have 3-16 bit’s and 2-8 bit expanders (I make my own boards DIY). I used to use a Ardunio Mega for this project but it’s IO is too clunky, takes up too much space with cabling. Expanded IO can really clean up a project and the necessary cabling for IO. I think that XIAO is well suited for this purpose and it should remain in it’s current physical size.
unlike