2

SPARK

SimpleLink Microcontroller

exas Instruments is T

expanding its LaunchPad-

compatible series

of products with the

SimpleLink Microcontroller

Platform. LaunchPad

is TI’s Arduino-esque

microcontroller, and the

SimpleLink ecosystem is

designed to add industrial-

scale IoT capabilities. There

are a number of booster

modules for both input and

output, and connectivity

options for just about

every wired and wireless

communication protocol

you can think of. Most

importantly, the modules are

priced reasonably enough to

be accessible to hobbyists

— not just commercial

operations

A large portion of a hacker’s work is good old-fashioned typing.

Unfortunately, our smartphones use touchscreens that don’t lend

themselves to that, and use hamstrung mobile operating systems.

The Gemini PDA from

Planet Computers is looking

to solve both of those

problems by providing both

a full QWERTY keyboard,

and dual-booting for Android

and Linux. It looks like the

perfect device for doing

real work on-the-go without

having to lug around a

laptop

Also from Makeblock, but

stepping away from robotics,

is Neuron. This product

comprises an entire line-up

of magnetic-connected

electronic blocks for

creating and programming

circuits. There are blocks for

connectivity, sensor input,

control, and various kinds

of output. Neuron can be

integrated with LEGO, and

even with a Raspberry Pi

as tinkerers move towards

more advanced creations

Neuron blocks Gemini PDA