BBC has announced the imminent release of the final version of its miniature computer Micro: bit. This was reported on the official website of the corporation.
The device measures 4 cm by 5 cm, and is similar to a credit card. But it is not only a motherboard, and almost full-fledged computer, ready to work immediately after connecting to a power source.
The Micro: bit is equipped with 25 LEDs that can display messages and can be used in games, two programmable buttons, accelerometer, and magnetometer. The device supports wireless communication Bluetooth LE, Micro USB connector and five I / O ports for wired connection of external devices. The computer is 18 times faster and 67 times lighter than the most popular of its predecessors - Raspberry Pi.
BBC attracted a mass of partners to the project. ARM, Microsoft, Samsung and Barclays are among main partners. It is planned to distribute first batch of computers not to sell. Distribution of one million copies is planned in October 2015. Students aged 11-12 years old will be first owners of small programmable board. Thus, the company hopes to raise children’s computer knowledge and interest in high technologies