The BBC has made its micro computer, the Micro Bit, available to buy as a commercial product.
Originally planned as part of the BBC’s Make It Digital season last year, the device was delivered to Year 7 students across the UK in March after severe delays.
Now, anyone can pre-order the Micro Bit for £12.99 through element14, the Leeds-based manufacturer of the device, with shipments expected to start in July.
There’s also the option of a £15 Micro Bit starter kit, which comes with a battery pack, USB cable, and some recommended activities to get you started.
Related: 6 of the coolest Raspberry Pi projects
Element14 will only be selling the devices in batches of 90m but other retailers will be offering individual Micro Bits.
Those retailers include Microsoft, the Technology Will Save Us organisation and Sciencescope.
According to the BBC, the microcomputer, which comes with programmable buttons, several sensors, I/O rings, and Bluetooth connectivity, has now been delivered to 80% of schools.
The device was designed with the help of Microsoft, Samsung, and ARM to help introduce children to coding.
If the popularity of the Raspberry Pi microcomputer is any indication, the Micro Bit could prove to be incredibly successful with programming enthusiasts.
Related: Raspberry Pi 3 vs BBC Micro Bit
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Will you be buying a Micro Bit? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
