Microsoft launches its own "designer" competitor Arduino

Apparently, such kits have become very popular among developers, because now there are new and new "designers for adults." For example, yesterday ProtoSnap was described on Habré, and now Microsoft is releasing something similar, only the bundle from the software giant is more perfect than ProtoSnap. The device is called Microsoft .NET Gadgeteer. His description, photos and video - in the sequel.

So, the kit includes a motherboard with a processor, plus several modules, including a display, camera, network module, data storage, information input devices and others. There are enough connectors on the board to connect all these modules and even more. Programs for these devices are written in C # using the .NET Micro Framework.
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According to the developers, the software can be debugged in a “hot” mode, that is, during the operation of the device and the software created for it.



According to the team that created this “designer,” it should be useful because it studies .NET - programming, electronics, and indeed everyone who is not indifferent to such kits and gadgets in general. All this happiness will be sold on September 30, 2011 at a price of 249.95 US dollars.

Here is the technical information regarding everything that comes in the kit:

FEZ Spider Mainboard
Display T35 Module (3.5 "with touchscreen)
USB Client DP Module (with USB cable)
Camera Module
2x Multicolor LED Module (DaisyLink)
2x Button Module
Ethernet J11D Module
SD Card Module
USB Host Module
Extender module
JoystickModule
10cm IDC cables (included with modules).
Additional cables:
4x 5cm IDC cables
3x 20cm IDC cables
1x 50cm IDC cable

But the characteristics of the components:

14 .NET Gadgeteer compatible sockets
Configurable on-board LED
Configuration switches.
Based on GHI Electronics EMX module
72MHz 32-bit ARM7 processor
4.5 MB Flash
16 MB RAM
LCD controller
Full TCP / IP Stack with SSL, HTTP, TCP, UDP, DHCP
Ethernet, WiFi driver and PPP (GPRS / 3G modems) and DPWS
USB host
USB, CD, CD, mouse, keyboard
76 GPIO Pin
2 SPI (8 / 16bit)
I2C
4 UART
2 CAN Channels
7 10-bit Analog Inputs
10-bit Analog Output (capable of WAV audio playback)
4-bit SD / MMC Memory card interface
6 PWM
OneWire interface (available on any IO)
Built-in Real Time Clock (RTC) with the suitable crystal
Processor register access
OutputCompare for generating waveforms with high accuracy
RLP for real-time requirements
Extended double-precision math class
FAT File System
Cryptography (AES and XTEA)
Low power and hibernate support
In-field update (from SD, network or other)
Dimensions: W 2.25 "x L 2.05" x H 0.5 "



And here's another mini-gaming machine based on the kit:



Via netmf