One friend mentioned this: littleBits makes an opensource library of electronic modules that snap together with tiny magnets for prototyping, learning, and fun. Looks interesting. There are even instructions how to join littleBits to LEGO. All the modules are open source, check GitHub for Eagle boards and schematics for all the littleBits modules. The aim of littleBits is to bring electronics easily accessible to artists, makers, students and designers: Make circuits in seconds with the littleBits Base Kit—no soldering, programming or wiring required.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
LittleBits Grows Up With New Arduino Module
http://techcrunch.com/2014/05/15/littlebits-grows-up-with-new-arduino-module/?ncid=rss&source=gravity&cps=gravity
The world of littleBits (the “not-a-toy” toy that I reaaaally wish existed when I was younger) just got a little bit bigger: it can now play friendly with Arduino.
Snap them together, and you can do all sorts of cool stuff — no programming required.
That “no programming required” point has always been one of littleBits’ biggest strengths; it meant that anyone could start putting stuff together, pretty much by accident.
Alas, up until now, “no programming required” also meant “no programming allowed”.
There’s a reason why one of Google’s top suggestions for “littleBits” is “littleBits Arduino”. The littleBits idea is great — but once a particularly enthusiastic user hit the limits of what their kit could do, the next step (learning to use a standalone Arduino board, which meant also learning proper circuitry, soldering, etc.) was suddenly a pretty big one.
This morning, littleBits is introducing an Arduino module into the mix. It’ll snap right into place
You jack into it via the onboard microUSB port, upload your programming via the standard Arduino IDE, and all of your littleBits modules fall in line.
If you’ve already got a littleBits kit, littleBit’s Arduino-At-Heart module will set you back $36
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ayah Bdeir, CEO of littleBits
http://www.ozy.com/rising-stars-and-provocateurs/ayah-bdeir-ceo-of-littlebits/3905.article
Why you should care
Because shouldn’t the rise of the machines also be a creative human revolution?
“My goal is to give creative people access to the full power of engineering.”
“When she was 12 and many of her friends were getting Barbies, Bdeir got programming lessons on a Commodore 64.”
She’s got the look of someone who’s always ready to get down on the floor and start making stuff.
Tomi Engdahl says:
RadioShack to Sell Kits for IoT Connectivity
http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/geek-life/hands-on/radioshack-to-sell-kits-for-iot-connectivity
New York City startup littleBits, which makes snap-together electronic modules for budding tinkerers, is wading into the ever-deepening sea of hardware configured for the Internet-of-Things. Those who want to investigate this hardware first hand should have no trouble making an impulse purchase, because the company’s $99 kit of modules for assembling Internet-connected gizmos will soon start selling at Radio Shack stores.
The heart of this kit is what littleBits calls the “cloud bit” module, which snaps together with the company’s other modules using special magnetic connectors. So, you can quickly add a cloud-bit module to something you’ve created with the company’s other input and output modules—buttons, lights, motors, and so forth. The point of the cloud-bit module is to connect what you have assembled to the Internet in a way that allows you to control your creation using a littleBits cloud account.
How exactly does the cloud-bit module work? And how is if different from, say, the Electric Imp, a similar device that’s allowed tinkerers to connect hardware to the Internet since its introduction in 2012?
The cloud-bit module is a diminutive Linux computer with a non-integral Wi-Fi adapter plugged into it.
The digital generation is well enough acquainted with connecting to Wi-Fi networks that this should be no big deal, even for a child.
Each of the littleBits cloud-bit modules has its own unique code, which you no doubt have to provide when you sign on for a cloud account with the company.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Create your own smart home with littleBits’ house-friendly kit
http://www.engadget.com/2014/11/18/littlebits-smart-home-hit/
Ever since littleBits’ snap-together circuits got the ability to speak to the internet, they were crying out to be used for home-automation. Today, littleBits itself is making that a dead cert, by launching a “Smart Home Kit.” The pack contains 14 magnetic “bits” to get your inventions started, including five new tools (MP3 player, Threshold, Number, Temperature Sensor, and IR transmitter). Theoretically, that internet-connected iguana enclosure you were after, or that DIY smart-toaster are now just a $250 spend away –the price of the new kit, available starting tomorrow.
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.mbnet.fi/artikkeli/ajankohtaiset/isojen_poikien_rakennuspalikat
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://littlebits.cc/kits/arduino-coding-kit
Tomi Engdahl says:
I saw this kit in use yesterday:
Synth Kit
http://littlebits.cc/kits/synth-kit
The Synth Kit is a powerful, easy-to-use modular synthesizer that helps you unleash your inner rockstar. The Synth Kit, developed in partnership with Korg, enables amateur and professional musicians to easily explore the iconic synthesizer instrument.