* **New Features**
* Added a HAL device module providing device enumeration, type queries and a HAL↔kernel bridge.
* **Improvements**
* Integrated HAL module into startup; standardized module names, includes and lifecycle logging; safer file append behavior; broader build support.
* **API Changes**
* Driver lifecycle now uses explicit add/remove semantics; C and HAL device type/lookup APIs clarified.
* **Chores**
* Added module README and Apache‑2.0 license; updated build configuration to include the new module.
* **Fixes**
* Updated tests and object file handling to behave correctly.
* **New Features**
* Time and delay utilities added (ticks, ms, µs); SD card now uses an expansion-header CS pin; HTTP downloads warn when run on the GUI task and yield to avoid blocking.
* **Bug Fixes / Reliability**
* Many hard-crash paths converted to guarded checks to reduce abrupt termination and improve stability.
* **Tests**
* Unit tests added to validate time and delay accuracy.
* **Chores**
* License header and build/macro updates.