New little board - CodeBug

[SimpleSi]

The CodeBug (developed by the PiFace team who kindly gave me their code which I used as starting basis for ScratchGPIO)

 

is now on Kickstarter

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/922345933/codebug

 

Its a similar device to my new favourite primary i/O board - the Crumble but different as its a more self sufficient unit with its own battery and buttons and LEDs (lots of LEDs on board

 

Currently comes with a blockly derived programming interface but hopefully we can get Scratch talking to it as well (if I can get a prototype out of them)

 

(I wish these hardware people would stop and think about standard software interfaces!)

 

Simon

[edmokeski]

Looks like this is the same thing the BBC is planning to hand out, no?

BBC gives children mini-computers in Make it Digital scheme - BBC News

[SimpleSi]

There's a load of background stories/rumours over the similarity.

 

I know the Codebug designer personally

 

I'm backing the Codebug and unlikely to be a supporter of any "similar" device that appears later

 

Simon

[LosOjos]

There's a load of background stories/rumours over the similarity.

 

I know the Codebug designer personally

 

I'm backing the Codebug and unlikely to be a supporter of any "similar" device that appears later

 

Simon

 

The BBC were giving this out last Summer - I have tried contacting both the PiFace team and the BBC to find out what's going on and neither will talk to me. Find it all very odd. Cancelled my Kickstarter pledge as nobody would clear up the obvious shadiness around the whole relationship. I received some anonymous emails making some claims as to the "why", but nothing official.

 

EDIT: as you know the designer, perhaps you wouldn't mind explaining what's going on? It appears that either PiFace or the BBC have "stolen" the idea but as neither will hold their hands up (or point the finger, possibly understandably) it leaves me the potential consumer feeling uneasy. PM if it's not something you can make public...

Edited May 8, 2015 by LosOjos

[SimpleSi]

PM Sent but I can state publicly

PiFace (Codebug creators) are good people

The Codebug will actually be in peoples hands within 6 weeks or earlier (my personal estimate)

The MicroBit design/production state is completely unknown to general public (inc me)

I expect to be working on Scratch interface for Codebug within next 2 weeks

 

Simon

[Alis_Klar]

Any update on these exciting projects? Like being able to use scratch to interact with sensors and motors etc.

[SimpleSi]

I got hold of a Codebug on saturday but haven't got access to a serial API yet to start coding up a Scratch interface

It usually takes me 24 hrs to get one up and running from when I get access

 

Simon

[SimpleSi]

I've got Scratch talking to a Crumble though

 

Forum: Scratch | Redfern Electronics

 

Simon