EduBlog Australia

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  

Today we finally got our hands on the Kai's Clan Starter 4 Pack and with this we were able to dive into one of my personal favourite coding experiences of all time. Before I get into the nitty gritty of coding let's talk about the setup, which at times can be troublesome with other products. The Kai's Clan Starter 4 Pack was surprisingly easy to setup for a product that offers so much. It only required a few moments of our time to watch the setup video and then work through the Quick Start Quide to setup and begin coding the robots. The robots come pre-charged and are ready to go off and adventure on the included Rescue Run Adventure AR/VR Mat.   Kai's Clan is well supported by ready to use online projects developed by teachers and students for all levels of expertise. The projects are categorised into three levels of coding, Junior, Intermediate and Advanced.   Nitty gritty time! Kai's Clan uses an online web-based app called Kai's Clan Blockly. Blockly coding is a drag and drop based programming language. It is one of the most basic forms of coding. The Kai's Clan Blockly interface was intuitive and very easy to follow. It has a fantastic way of introducing newcommers to coding by splitting the coding blocks into two segments, newbie and expert. This keeps some of the more comprehensive and complex coding options out of the way allowing you to learn the basics easier and quicker.   In conclusion I thoroughly enjoyed my first hands on experience with this product and I look forward to learning and experimenting more with it.