Raspberry Pi Zero W Key Specifications

— Broadcom BCM2835 @ 1GHz
— VideoCore IV graphics
— 512MB of RAM
— 40 GPIO pins

Since it's inception, the Raspberry Pi foundation has been solely focusing on improving the hardware experiences of the Raspberry Pi by introducing better and more affordable hardware options. But that's changing today as the guys behind the Raspberry Pi boards are announcing PIXEL which will be replacing the official Raspbian distro that many Raspberry Pi owners opt to use.

Not to be confused with Google's upcoming lineup of Pixel smartphones, PIXEL stands for Pi Improved Xwindows Environment, Lightweight. Deep down, PIXEL is still based off Raspbian and the foundation did not make much changes in the way Raspbian works. But they did give Raspbian a big visual overhaul with PIXEL.

For starters, PIXEL now comes with a splash screen with the Raspberry Pi logo and the interface now has better iconography. In addition to that, PIXEL also comes with several new applications like RealVNC, a SenseHAT emulator and also an improved browsing experience that features improved video playback and an adblocker.

So, if you have a Raspberry Pi board, you can try out Debian Jessie with PIXEL by either updating directly from the terminal or re-flashing via the new downloadable iso file







ORIGINAL SOURCE: RASPBERRY PI BLOG

If you have played around with the Raspberry Pi boards, you will have most likely come across Kodi which is a home theater software that comes alongside the NOOBS installer. Kodi which has previously been a software firm is announcing it's first hardware product. This product is called the Kodi Edition Raspberry Pi case and Kodi has teamed up with a hardware company called Flirc.

This limited edition case is made out of aluminium and includes an integrate heatsink that is designed to dissipate the heat from an overclocked SoC. While this isn't as versatile as the official Raspberry Pi case from last year, both companies say that this new case is designed to blend in your living room.

The Kodi Edition Raspberry Pi Case will support both the Raspberry Pi 2 and Raspberry Pi 3. It will cost US$ 19.95 (~MYR 81) and a percentage of the sale will be donate to the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Learn more about the Kodi Edition Raspberry Pi Case here



ORIGINAL SOURCE: KODI

A couple weeks back, the Raspberry Pi Foundation celebrate their 4th birthday with the announcement of the Raspberry Pi 3 and today for the Pi Day celebrations, Western Digital is announcing a new 7mm hard disk designed for the Raspberry Pi 3. Dubbed the WD Pi Drive 314, this new 314GB hard disk will support the Raspberry Pi boards and interfaces through microUSB and the added current through USB on the new Raspberry Pi 3 will allow the 314GB Pi Drive to run at optimal performance.

Western Digital's new Pi Drive 314 is based off their existing 500GB drives and the changes made are specifically tailored towards supporting the Raspberry Pi boards. With a lower power requirement and a dedicated software called BerryBoot courtesy of WDLabs, using the Pi Drive with the Raspberry Pi is pretty simple.

For a limited time, Western Digital is bringing down the price of the Pi Drive 314GB to just $31.42 (just for Pi Day) and the usual price is set at $45.82. Learn more about the WD 314GB PiDrive here

ORIGINAL SOURCE: PRNEWSWIRE

In February 2012, the Raspberry Pi Foundation was born with the release of the Raspberry Pi Model A. But the interesting bit is that the Raspberry Pi computer was introduced on February 29 which if you know simple logic, only happens once every four years. To celebrate this year's leap year day, the Raspberry Pi Foundation is celebrating their 4th birthday with the release of the new Raspberry Pi 3 Model B.

Unlike previous version jumps in the past, the new Raspberry Pi 3 Model B looks exactly like the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B because the design of the Pi 2 was already perfect and this means that the new Raspberry Pi 2 will be able to easily fit into existing Raspberry Pi 2 projects or enclosures without any modification.

The exterior look is retained but the Raspberry Pi Foundation swapped out the 32-bit SoC on the Raspberry Pi 2 with a new 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core SoC to improve performance by up to 50%. And probably the biggest selling point of the new Raspberry Pi 3 other than it's speedy performance is the fact that it now comes with built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth which significantly improves the overall experience of using it as a tiny computer.

You might think that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth costs extra money right, well the Raspberry Pi Foundation is going back to their original notion of building affordable hardware by pricing the new Raspberry Pi 3 at just $35. That's about RM 148 to get a full Linux computer up and running. Learn more about getting Raspberry Pi boards here in Malaysia through Element14 or RS-Components

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Key Specifications: 

• Broadcom BCM 2837 SoC @ 1.2GHz
• 1GB SDRAM
• 802.11n wireless LAN
• Bluetooth 4.1
• 4x USB 2.0
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Input: 2.5A/5V

ORIGINAL SOURCE: RASPBERRYPI

The Raspberry Pi foundation is at it again and today they are announcing Raspberry #PiZero which is by far the most affordable microcontroller around. At just US$5 a pop, the Pi Zero is not only remarkably cheaper compared to the other models previously available but it come in a footprint half the size of the previously smallest Raspberry Pi model A+.

Raspberry Pi Zero specifications:

• Broadcom BCM2835 @ 1GHz
• VideoCore IV graphics
• 512MB of RAM
• 40 GPIO pins
• 5V power with up to160mA power draw
• 65mm x 30mm x 5mm
• MicroSD card slot
• mini-HDMI port
• microUSB OTG port

With this new smaller than credit card sized form factor, the Pi Zero doesn't skimp on the amazing features that the Raspberry Pi is known for. Powering this tiny microcontroller is the same Broadcom BCM2835 SoC powering the Raspberry Pi 1 models but is tuned down due to the physical form factor of the Pi Zero. That's not all, the strip of 40 GPIO pins is still there but it unpopulated to keep costs down and for the ease of makers to easily implement the Pi Zero into their projects.

Beyond that, the Pi Zero is still capable of outputting 1080P video but through the mini HDMI port and there's two microUSB ports on the board, one of them is used to provide 5V power to the board and the other acts as a USB OTG port. As is, the Pi Zero is designed to be stripped down and used as a tiny microcontroller that rivals the similarly size Arduino Nano. Additionally, the Pi Zero will support existing HATs but will dwarf the Pi Zero due to it's size but there are newer HATs called pHATs which are basically just smaller HATs. (note: HAT stands for Hardware Attached on Top).


However, if you desire to use the board like other full size Raspberry Pi boards, you will need to pick up some adapters to hook up the mini HDMI port, micro USB OTG port and also some GPIO header pins. But as is without any adapters, the Pi Zero is able to run the full version of Raspbian through the microSD card slot. You can learn more about the latest Debian Jessie release in our previous article

You can now buy the Raspberry Pi Zero to the usual spots element14, The Pi Hut and Pimoroni for only $5 is you are in the US and Europe. If you want to pick up the Raspberry Pi Zero in Malaysia, head on over to element14 to order one today for a marked up price of RM 59.47. BTW, if you are a subscriber of the MagPi which is the official monthly magazine for Raspberry Pi, you will get a complimentary Pi Zero with the December copy.

The evolution of the @Raspberry_Pi form factor tells it's own, interesting story #pizero pic.twitter.com/r7uzI8MpbV

— Richard Hayler ☀ (@rdhayler) November 26, 2015

ORIGINAL SOURCE: RASPBERRY PI BLOG

Programming is becoming increasingly popular amongst the next generation of leaders (children) and organizations like code.org and Girls Who Code are leading the way in spreading the message. Currently, we have a ton of online MOOCs about programming as well as SBCs like the Raspberry Pi (learn how to buy the Pi 2 in Malaysia here).

Well, say hello to the Micro:bit which is apparently going to be the next big thing for children to learn how to code. Whilst it is not as powerful as the Raspberry Pi 2 nor does it have a big community like the Arduino, BBC (it's creator) plans to distribute this board to children aged 11 or 12 for free (only in the UK).

As for the board itself, the Micro:bit is more of a sensor board than an actual computer. Built in the board is sensors like a magnetometer and an accelerometer, programmable push buttons and also a 25 LED array. By itself, users will be able to program the board through a web based tool created by Microsoft and for further learning, the BBC Micro:bit can also be plugged to the Raspberry Pi, Arduino and Intel Galileo.

Given the size of the board, the Micro:bit will require and external power source from either a microUSB cable or a battery pack with a JST plug.

As i said earlier, BBC plans to give 1 million units of this board for free to children aged 11 or 12 in the UK. Once, they're done with that, BBC will start licensing the design of the Micro:bit to third party vendors and only then will we know how much this tiny board will cost.

SOURCE: BBC

Earlier this year, the Raspberry Pi foundation released a brand new credit card size PC, the Raspberry Pi 2 and you can get it in Malaysia today for about RM 160. When you buy the Raspberry Pi 2, it doesn't come with anything except the board itself alongside some documentation. You can technically use it at it is but getting a case would definitely improve the experience.

For years, creators and third party manufacturers have created cases out of everything from simple cardboard to lego pieces. Today, the Raspberry Pi foundation is unveiling an official case for the Raspberry Pi 2. Said to be a work of art, the case has been reworked through several revisions to make it how it looks like today.

The design team has thought of everything from the cutouts which lets the light from the LED indicators to be seen from the outside to the Raspberry Pi logo on the top. You can check out the hurdles and design choices the foundation made when creating this official case here. Like the original Raspberry Pi, everything comes down to the price and at $8 (about RM 30), the official case is actually a pretty good deal but it currently only supports the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B.

You can start pre-ordering the official Raspberry Pi 2 case starting today through these official distributors: Swag Store, element14, RS Electronics, MCM Electronics, Newark and Allied
SOURCE: RASPBERRY PI BLOG

The competition is strong these days and Next Thing Co. has just announced the most affordable computer you can buy. At only $9, the Oakland based startup is offering you hardware which rivals the likes of the oh-so popular Raspberry Pi. Unlike how the Raspberry Pi foundation started with their first model, NTC (Next Thing Co.) built CHIP with the mindset that buyers will want integrate this affordable board onto their projects.

Powering this $9 computer is the Allwinner A13 SoC clocked in at 1GHz and 512MB of DDR3 RAM. Other specifications include a full sized USB port, a composite video out, a microUSB port capable of USB OTG, built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and 4GB of onboard NAND flash storage.

Putting things into perspective, CHIP is actually smaller than the Raspberry Pi A+ which is already a very small board. Both boards feature about the same amount of processing power but NTC's CHIP pulls ahead of the competition with double the amount of RAM and built in wireless connections and onboard storage. But where CHIP loses to the Raspberry Pi is when we compare the GPIO pins available. The 8 GPIO pins on CHIP is nowhere near the 40 GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi A+.

In terms of software, CHIP comes preloaded with Linux and will support Debian based releases. NTC says they'll talk on this further when they are done with the Kickstarter campaign. To top things off, this $9 computer is fully open sourced from the hardware on the board itself to the software releases.

Besides launching CHIP on kickstarter late last week, the company is also announcing a couple of accessories which will expand the capabilities of the board. The first two add ons are the HDMI and VGA shields which connect directly to the pinouts on CHIP and will enable CHIP to display out to higher resolution displays. Ironically, the price of both the shields are more than the board itself. The HDMI shield goes for $15 and the VGA shield is at $10.

Besides that, there is yet another accessory which they will be offering alongside CHIP and that is called Pocket CHIP. As you can see from the image above, it looks like a Gameboy and for $40, you will be able to bring your $9 computer wherever you go. Built in this enclosure is a 4.3" full color resistive display, a 3,000mAh battery and a full QWERTY keyboard.

So, are you blown away by this new single board computer? If you are, do check out their Kickstarter campaign which as of writing has exceeded it's goal by 10 times with nearly 12,000 backers. You can own your own CHIP for only $9 but better be quick, it's a hot cake. To get some insights on the making behind CHIP, check out makezine's interview with the creators.

Computers, basically everyone has one these days and in the recent years the march towards getting the younger generation to learn to write code has arised. The simple reason is that if we know how to use a computer we must also know how to command it to do things. It might sound like a little adventurous to program a computer but after all, learning something new isn't always easy.

On one end we have code.org which is highly contributing towards people everywhere learning to code in their hour or code campaign which has been highly successful. Another product which initially came up as a platform to code was the Raspberry Pi, soon enough the 'builders' got their hands off this tiny board and started making things happen.

Two years later, we have the second revision of the board called the Raspberry Pi 2 (Model B). The board was announced back in February and it improves on it's predecessor by now having a quad core CPU and double the amount of RAM (1GB). While gaining 6X the performance compared to it's predecessor, the new Pi 2 is still $35 (~RM 128).


Well, Microsoft announced a while back that they are committed in supporting the new Raspberry Pi 2 with their Windows operating system. In the coming months, Microsoft will release a version of Windows 10 which is compatible with the Raspberry Pi 2 and when that comes, we'll be doing some tests on it and also an article on it.

The Raspberry Pi 2 is currently being sold worldwide through the foundation's store element14. From the site, users can purchase the device but in Malaysia, the store recommends that buyers in Malaysia purchase the Pi 2 from two approved resellers in the region. Those two retailers are Pier Electronics and ThunderMatch Technology.

http://farnell.com/raspberrypi-consumer/approved-retailers.php?skus=2461030~1&countryCode=MY&COM=superwidget-link_RaspberryPi+CMPNULL

Both these sites are online stores and they are selling the Raspberry Pi 2 in Malaysia for around RM 150, mind you that the listed $35 is the price of the Pi 2 excluding taxes. That is why the price is a little higher than a direct currency exchange.

I got mine through ThunderMatch Technology for RM 148 and they are offering a few bundles which include a microUSB power cable and another one including a microSD card with the NOOBS software. Well, you can outright just buy the Raspberry Pi 2 because installing the NOOBS is really simple and if you own a smartphone, you'll likely have a microUSB cable lying around.

My purchase from ThunderMatch Technology was quick and the board was delivered to my doorstep the day after i made the payment (Klang Valley area, your mileage might vary). Also, if you want to get one, the stock on both the stores are running low so you'd better get it soon before prices goes a little higher due to GST or you're placed on a backorder. 

Today, the popular miniature computing machine got it's update; The Raspberry Pi 2 is the second generation computing board by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and this time around the board has just got more powerful and despite that, it's size remains the same which means existing users can just drop in the new board into their original Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi 2

• 900MHz Quad core Cortex A7 ARM CPU 
• 1GB LPDDR2 RAM 
• $35 (available today!)

SOURCE: RaspberryPi Blog, Windows Blog