Announcing the New Micro:bit
The Micro:bit Educational Foundation has announced the manufacturing and launch of the latest version of the micro:bit.
The BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized computer helping to inspire more than 25 million children to learn digital creativity and computing skills, will receive its first major updates since launching in 2016.
Available from mid-November 2020, it will now include a built-in speaker and microphone, enabling people to learn through sound and to get creative with it straight out-of-the-box. The hardware also includes a number of technical upgrades to ensure that in the future the device is an ideal tool for exploring, understanding and experimenting with AI and ML, as these technologies begin to transform the planet.
The new micro:bit continues to support all of the same features that teachers and students have come to love, and all the existing lessons and code for the original micro:bit will be compatible with the new device. In addition, as part of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation’s commitment to keeping the device as cost-effective and accessible as possible, the new device will be released in November at a similar price point to the original.
What's New
Sense sound and transform projects with the microphone
Make sound and bring your micro:bit to life with the speaker
Program the gold micro:bit logo to respond to your touch
More computing power
Handy power save button
Comparison Chart
Feature
Current (V1.5)
Latest (v2)
Processor
Nordic Semiconductor nRF51822
Nordic Semiconductor nRF52833
Memory
256kB Flash, 16kB RAM
512kB Flash, 128kB RAM
Interface
NXP KL26Z, 16kB RAM
NXP KL27Z, 32kB RAM
Microphone
N/A
MEMS microphone and LED indicator
Speaker
N/A
On board speaker
Logo Touch
N/A
Touch sensitive logo pin
Edge Connector
25 pins. 3 dedicated GPIO, PWM, i2c, SPI and ext. power.
3 ring pins for connecting crocodile clips/banana plugs.
25 pins. 4 dedicated GPIO, PWM, i2c, SPI and ext. power.
3 ring pins for connecting crocodile clips/banana plugs. Notched for easier connection
I2C
Shared I2C Bus
Dedicated I2C Bus for peripherals
Wireless
2.4Ghz Micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluetooth 4.0
2.4Ghz Micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluetooth 5.0
Power
5V via Micro USB port, 3V via edge connector or battery pack
5V via Micro USB port, 3V via edge connector or battery pack,
LED power indicator, Power off (push and hold power button)
Current Available
90mA available for accessories
200mA available for accessories
Motion Sensor
ST LSM 303
ST LSM 303
Software
C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch
C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch
Size
5cm(w) x 4cm(h)
5cm(w) x 4cm(h)
New Way to Connect Crocodile Clips
Micro:bit Packaging
* {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
/* Create three equal columns that floats next to each other */
.column {
float: left;
width: 33.33%;
padding: 10px;
}
/* Clear floats after the columns */
.row:after {
content: "";
display: table;
clear: both;
}
.product-subtitle,
.RelatedProductsHeader,
.SimilarProductsHeader{
background: #f2f2f2;
font-size: 16px;
line-height: 17px;
color: black;
font-weight: bold;
padding: 10px 15px;
position: relative;
margin-bottom:7px;
border:none;
}
.long-description,
.reviews,
.questions,
.related-products table,
.similar-products table{
margin-bottom:40px;
padding:0 15px;
}
BBC micro:bit v2 Single
Contents
1x Micro:bit Board & 1x User Guide.
Purchase Here
BBC micro:bit v2 GO
Contents
1x Micro:bit Board, 1x User Guide, 1x USB Cable, 1x Battery Holder & 2x AAA Batteries.
Purchase Here
BBC micro:bit v2 Club
Contents
10x Micro:bit Board, 10x User Guide, 10x USB Cable, 10x Battery Holder & 20x AAA Batteries.
Purchase Here
The micro:bit Go & Club now come with a 30cm USB cable and the latest micro:bit which can be powered off by pushing and holding the power button.
Important Info
Updating .hex files
The editors and apps are being updated over the coming weeks and are currrently in beta. When they are released, you should update any compiled .hex files that you host as part of your resources. To do this, simply drag and drop them into the editor in which they were created and then download the .hex file.
Universal Hex Note that the updated file will be ~1.8Mb as opposed to ~700Kb in size. This increase in size means that the hex file can be used on any board revision and is called a Universal Hex file.
Bluetooth BLE
A hex file that enables all micro:bit Bluetooth services is available to use for testing BLE. Download the updated version of the BLE all services hex.
Code Editors
The editors will support both versions simultaneously for features common to both boards,for example the motion sensor, LEDs, buttons etc.
Makecode
You can use the latest board revision in the beta editor https://makecode.microbit.org/beta
An extension has been developed to include the microphone and logo touch features currently available. https://github.com/microbit-foundation/pxt-microbit-v2-extension
Open https://makecode.microbit.org/beta
Select Advanced > Add Extension and paste https://github.com/microbit-foundation/pxt-microbit-v2-extension into the search box.
Click on the extension to add it to the toolbox.
V2 MakeCode APIs The Microphone and Logo touch features can be found in the Input menu.
The Speaker features can be found in the music menu.
Python
You can use the latest board revision and APIs in the Python beta editor: https://python.microbit.org/v/beta
If you want to use a specific or custom build of MicroPython you can do this in Mu.
Drag and drop the MicroPython binary on to the MICROBIT drive
Open the Files tab in Mu and copy main.py from the Files on your computer to the Files on your micro:bit
More info on the micro:bit V2 here