The BBC and a variety of partners (including ARM, Freescale, Samsung and Microsoft) have today announced a rather impressive pledge to give all year seven students in the UK their very own programmable computers, the BBC micro:bit. The device will be handed to all eleven and twelve year old children free of charge.
BBC director general Tony Hall said: "Channelling the spirit of the Micro for the digital age, the BBC micro:bit will inspire a new generation in a defining moment for digital creativity here in the UK. All you need is your curiosity, creativity and imagination - we'll provide the tools. This has the power to be transformative for the UK. The BBC is one of the few organisations in the world that could convene something on this scale, with such an unprecedented partnership at its core."
Here's a list of the various features that the micro:bit will support:
25 red LEDs to light up, flash messages, create games and invent digital stories
Two programmable buttons activated when pressed. Use the micro:bit as a games controller. Pause or skip songs on a playlist.
On-board motion detector or 'accelerometer' that can detect movement and tell other devices you're on the go. Featured actions include shake, tilt and freefall. Turn the micro:bit into a spirit level. Light it up when something is moved. Use it for motion-activated games.
A built-in compass or 'magnetometer' to sense which direction you're facing, your movement in degrees, and where you are. Includes an in-built magnet, and can sense certain types of metal.
Bluetooth Smart Technology to connect to the internet and interact with the world around you. Connect the micro:bit to other micro:bits, devices, kits, phones, tablets, cameras and everyday objects all around. Share creations or join forces to create multi-micro:bit masterpieces. Take a selfie. Pause a DVD or control your playlist.
Five Input and Output (I/O) rings to connect the micro:bit to devices or sensors using crocodile clips or 4mm banana plugs. Use the micro:bit to send commands to and from the rings, to power devices like robots and motors.
The aim of the campaign is to help the UK plug a skills deficit in the area of technology, and by putting these computers in the hands of young people up and down the country, the collaboration between the BBC and its partners is most certainly investing in the future. For more details head here.