Product updates
BBC micro:bit interface processor change (V2.2)
The Micro:bit Educational Foundation has released a minor revision of the micro:bit V2 that replaces the interface processor on the V2 board. This is the processor that manages USB communications and runs the micro:bit firmware.
The processor change will not affect day to day use of the micro:bit with the apps and editors.
The V2.2 boards will contain an updated version of the DAPLink firmware. You should not need to update this for normal use, but it is available via the microbit.org firmware page
We are making this necessary change as the ongoing global pandemic has disrupted the production of silicon chips and is affecting many technology products. You can read more about the processor change in our Knowledge base.
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Python Editor (Alpha)
In our previous newsletter we announced that we are developing a new Python Editor for the micro:bit. You can find the code for the editor on GitHub.
The Foundation are now undertaking some user research regarding the new Python Editor (Alpha). If you are an educator or you know someone who is, we want to hear from you about your experiences and needs teaching Python and using the micro:bit.
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Community developments
Latest MakeCode extensions
If you are familiar with the MakeCode editor for micro:bit, you may also be aware that you can add an ever-growing number of extensions that enable you to work with micro:bit accessories within the editor. To celebrate our talented community of developers, we are introducing this new section to list new extensions since we last communicated. We’ll also add interesting developments and let you know how you can get involved.
Please check some of these out and maybe it will inspire you to create another accessory or extension:
4Tronix: Theta, Adam Orczyk: Lego PF Transmitter, Receiver, Recorder, Soroban, Artec: Artec Robo Kit, BPISteam: Triode Car, Cytron Technologies: esp8266, Zoombit, Elecfreaks: Dronebit, PlanetX-AI, Joy-IT: SEN Color, Hackids Edu: Hackbit, iBuilds: KIdsBIT IoT, Kelie Leung: iClassIoT, KidSpark: Sparkbit, Kitronik: Air Quality, Air Quality (V2 only) LAB:Bit, 128x64 Display, Simple Servo, Kittenbot: Powerbrick, Joyfrog, Sugar, Koi, KittenWiFi, minilfr, Kodely: Dot, Micro:bit Educational Foundation: Power saving (V2 only), MonkMakes: 7-Segment Display, SGBotic: Ultimate SR04 RGB, SMARTHON: Smartcity, Stemhub: Stemhubbit, Stemhub City, Teacher Pinky: Wait Until Blocks … and a work in progress; Bill Sevier: BLE HID. Check out the BLE HID demo video too.
If you’d like to learn more about the process for submitting an extension for approval, you can find all the info you need on our Knowledge base.
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Join the community chat
Many of you have already joined our community chat on Slack. We have just introduced a new accessories chat channel to talk about the latest micro:bit accessory developments. Please join us there and help us shape the Foundation’s accessories strategy. Each week we aim to pose a discussion topic to find out how people make use of the wide range of accessories available to the micro:bit device. If you are an educator or you know anyone that is, please also fill in and share this two-minute micro:bit accessories survey.
Finally, please let us know about anything you are working on so that we may share it in future newsletters.
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Thats’s all for now. Feel free to share this newsletter in your networks and if you are interested in everything else going on with the micro:bit here are some additional ways to get involved and keep up to date:
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