This is the one of the most exciting and innovative pieces of embedded computing or IoT related technology I've seen since the Raspberry Pi. The Pi is a superb bit of kit and is great at what it does but if you are new to coding, it is not necessarily the best place to start. If you are looking for a device to get started with, this is it. The MicroBit can be programmed in a block type language that is ideal for very young children as well as JavaScript and Python and then C.
...view more This is the one of the most exciting and innovative pieces of embedded computing or IoT related technology I've seen since the Raspberry Pi. The Pi is a superb bit of kit and is great at what it does but if you are new to coding, it is not necessarily the best place to start. If you are looking for a device to get started with, this is it. The MicroBit can be programmed in a block type language that is ideal for very young children as well as JavaScript and Python and then C.
It has an onboard accelerometer, temperature sensor, compass, Bluetooth and usb interfaces! It can be powered by a couple of small batteries if you want it to be portable. It will communicate with other MicroBits via Bluetooth. It will pair with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth.
Using the I2C and SPI connections means you can connect to a heap of easily and cheaply obtainable real world sensors.

A superb bit of kit.
Can I be on commission please? ;-)

Great product, the kids love them! Great product, the kids love them!

After getting a set last Christmas for secret Santa at work I though I'd buy one as a gift for a friend this year (have been using for 1 year now),. It is a little difficult to track down how it can be used but with a little imagination so far it has usefully been, a Christmas tree decoration and scrolling display for work. I also experimented with it being a dice and timer replacement (for board games) and an RPG game. After getting a set last Christmas for secret Santa at work I though I'd buy one as a gift for a friend this year (have been using for 1 year now),. It is a little difficult to track down how it can be used but with a little imagination so far it has usefully been, a Christmas tree decoration and scrolling display for work. I also experimented with it being a dice and timer replacement (for board games) and an RPG game.

Great fun and extremely good value. Designed and buit to be "kiddie proof". The "screen" is limited but works better than you would expect. With a built in bluetooth/radio, temperature sensor, light sensor and the ability to directly control servos, relays etc with no fancy interfaces there is a lot of potential for simple projects. The on-line programming software is also very good and you can use it with simple block programming, Java or Python. Great fun and extremely good value. Designed and buit to be "kiddie proof". The "screen" is limited but works better than you would expect. With a built in bluetooth/radio, temperature sensor, light sensor and the ability to directly control servos, relays etc with no fancy interfaces there is a lot of potential for simple projects. The on-line programming software is also very good and you can use it with simple block programming, Java or Python.

Small but powerful tool for teaching coding and programming. Love the wide range of fun activities it can be used for. Small but powerful tool for teaching coding and programming. Love the wide range of fun activities it can be used for.

Great little piece of equipment. Perfect for teaching kids how to code and so very versatile for bigger projects once they get going. Well worth the money spent on it. Great little piece of equipment. Perfect for teaching kids how to code and so very versatile for bigger projects once they get going. Well worth the money spent on it.

I bought this for my 8 year old, and we had lots of fun programming it together. We made a paper, rocks, scissors game and hooked up an old car speaker to have it play some tunes. Somehow my son preferred this to to the other programmable toys I've bought him (Edison, Sphero, ozobot etc). Programmable from pc, mac or ipad (via cable or bluetooth).
Cheap and easy way to introduce kids to programming and code something that functions in the real world away from the screen.I highly recommend it (and not just for kids). I bought this for my 8 year old, and we had lots of fun programming it together. We made a paper, rocks, scissors game and hooked up an old car speaker to have it play some tunes. Somehow my son preferred this to to the other programmable toys I've bought him (Edison, Sphero, ozobot etc). Programmable from pc, mac or ipad (via cable or bluetooth).
Cheap and easy way to introduce kids to programming and code something that functions in the real world away from the screen.I highly recommend it (and not just for kids).