BBC Micro:Bit and Variations




 Calliope Mini

 A very German open source design, adds functionality and replaces the uncommon edge connector with smaller connectors.     Main Site        Github Files

Has a superior (Bosch BMX055) with Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer 
Piezo speaker, MEMS microphone, 1 RGB LED, DC Motor Driver (TI DRV8837) 


Available on Amazon for $44.99  (Original Microbit design is more like $15 in local stores)




Sino:bit



The Sino:bit is a variation Calliope Mini (simpler open source path?), conceived of by the controversial Chinese maker and open source advocate, Naomi Wu (SexyCyborg).

The main difference is the 12x12 144 LED display (instead of the 5x5, 25 LEDs on  the Micro:bit)
to enable it to display Chinese and other non-Roman languages.

It adds a HT1632C LED driver, offloading the processor, you may loose some of the exotic LED applications that direct cpu connection gave, like individual LED brightness control or using them as photo detectors.
 The sensor compliment appears to be closer match to the original micro:bit,  
MISSING: Mic, Speaker, RGB light, motor controllers and gyroscope that the Calliope includes.
 




  In a Chinese presentation, Naomi explains that having the accessories built into a child's learning computer helps prevent their being lost.
   She also describes the greater satisfaction when a kid shows an example to their grandparents displaying a Chinese message, instead of some scrolling English text.
Sino:bit Schematic Click to view.

Adafruit's Review

 Available for $29 + shipping from Elecrow.com

Girhub open source hardware design and test code files.



Out of stock Amazon listing


One observer's comment:  Curious why the QFAA was chosen over say QFAC... this 16k ram version makes trying to fit the BLE stack (S130 softdevice) challenging, as there is not much free ram left.
(nRF51822 processor available with 16k or 32k of ram, verified that the BBC Micro:bit uses the 16k QFA version as well, lower ram version saves the maker about $0.55 in 1000 lots)




---  to be added ---

SeeedStudio Grove Shield for micro:bit v2.0
4 different 4 pin grove connections & 8 banana edge pads $9.90
  
Provides less expensive connectors for bringing out signal.

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