Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Chromebit stick, $149 Chromebooks

Google launches least expensive Chromebooks yet (just $149) and first convertible | ExtremeTech
"Google unveiled a slew of new Chromebooks, including two that cost just $149. The Haier Chromebook 11"

"new Google Chromebit stick (below). Google says it’s a full-blown computer that costs less than $100. All you have to do is plug it into a display’s HDMI port, and that display will become a computer. There’s a USB port and Bluetooth for hooking up a keyboard and mouse, and internally, it’s the same Rockchip-powered machine with 2GB RAM and 16GB of storage as the two Chromebooks above. Google is pitching this one as a de-facto upgrade for schools and businesses with lots of machines to deal with. "
Chromebit

IoT: Amazon Dash Button

Amazon Dash Button - Official site - Request an invitation
"Place it. Press it. Get it.
Dash Button comes with a reusable adhesive and a hook so you can hang, stick, or place it right where you need it. Keep Dash Button handy in the kitchen, bath, laundry, or anywhere you store your favorite products. When you're running low, simply press Dash Button, and Amazon quickly delivers household favorites so you can skip the last-minute trip to the store."

Amazon Dash @ Amazon Fresh

IoT education: BBC "Micro Bit" for 1 million UK kids aged 11

In Bid To Get British Kids Coding, BBC To Give Away 1 Million ‘Micro Bit’ Computers | TechCrunch
"BBC has announced that it is to produce a new educational mini-computer — codenamed the ‘Micro Bit’, a play on the broadcaster’s original ‘BBC Micro‘ computer — and will give away 1 million devices to British school kids aged 11. It will be distributed nationwide from autumn 2015.

...BBC partner with over 25 organisations to develop the Micro Bit, including chip-makers ARM and Nordic Semiconductor, Microsoft, and Samsung..."



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

BBC - The Micro Bit - Media centre

BBC Micro Bit will complement Raspberry Pi not compete with it | Technology | The Guardian

BBC Micro - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (1981, produced by Accorn)
BBC Micro Front Restored.jpg
ARM architecture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Acorn RISC Machine; The first ARM application was as a second processor for the BBC Micro 

Globally, as of 2013, ARM is the most widely used 32-bit instruction set architecture in terms of quantity produced
pi-top.com

podcast: Accelerating Agile with Dan North @ .NET Rocks!