It was easy to program right out of the box using the graphic programming system (I'm reluctant to call it a language) supplied. I just had it do some different graphics, dependent on which button was pushed, through the 5x5 LED array. It was super easy. Can't say much more, since I had no purpose for it. It won't replace my Arduinos right away, if ever, but I can see how it can be a lot of fun!

Coding is possible in so many ways - block editor, micro python, js, mbed, Arduino and probably in professional IDEs like Keil, IAR too.

https://www.microbit.co.uk/app/

https://developer.mbed.org/platforms/Microbit/

By the way, these are actually priced twice because of "Buy One, Give One" campaign from BBC. Which means you are helping some kid out there to walk the path of becoming a nerd !

Update: The BLE seems buggy, worked once but failed with some GATT Error. If you have plans to work with Bluetooth buy two or more of these, don't expect this to work flawlessly with smartphones Bluetooth 4.0 . Not much app support on Google play either.

Update 2: BLE works better when programmed with MBED OS. nrf51822 codes are compatible with slight modification.

Which Is better microbit or sparkfun thing?. Too happy with this board. Thanks sparkfun.

Many ways to code. A switch on the battery would make it better.

So, as far as the bundle goes, it's a cheap add on that makes perfect sense. Not sure why you'd order a board without these accessories unless you already have them. One thing I will say; the assertion that you can't use a LiPo battery without adding a voltage regulator seems to be false. I've been running mine straight on a LiPo battery for weeks sitting on my desk and it works just fine (using a 500mah battery). Doesn't get hot or do anything strange, hasn't burned up yet.

As far as the Micro:Bit as a product, I have mixed feelings. It's so cheap, and it's pretty cool, but I can't imagine kids actually playing with this for more than a few weeks before they get bored and move on to something else. If you're already using Arduino or the Raspberry Pi, the bit won't be anything new, it'll be a fun novelty, and maybe a way to practice with MicroPython if you don't have another board to try it on. The memory is VERY limited though, so getting a Feather Huzzah might make more sense. The mobile app sucks out loud, not even worth trying to use. The pairing generally seems really flaky and unreliable.

I'm not a developer, just playing around with some simple projects and using these as a microcontroller, but I love the micro:bit - I know it is for educational purposes, but this is a great price for a Cortex M0 development board that already has some input/output devices included. The couple of extra bucks for the battery box/connector is worth it in some cases. If you want to tinker around with some projects but don't have a lot of spare buttons, sensors, or a simple display laying around, this seems to be one of the cheaper/easier ways to get into the hobby.

The only change I would make to this package, even if it increased the price by a dollar or so: Since the battery box has the connector integrated to it, as mentioned in other reviews it would be nicer if there was a simple on/off switch inline somewhere. I think most people using this probably don't leave the battery box hooked up powering the microbit all the time and end up cutting the wires to add a switch anyway once integrated to a project.

My 10 year old took right off with this starter kit. Quality is good, and can't beat the price. Thanks.

The micro:bit from SparkFun is a great value. It did take over 8 weeks from order to delivery - but it was clear in the information provided that the item was backordered. I just didn't expect quite this long of a wait. I'm happy that SparkFun is a US distributor. I also purchase the clear MI:pro Case for micro:bit - at $4.95 - it's a smart addition. I do wish that SparkFun could become a US distributor for Fizzbits - another product from the UK.

Right out of the box you can start learning and having fun. The online programming tools for graphical programming, java script, and micro-python work easily and have great tutorials with them.

Easy to use and program thanks to Microsoft MakeBlock. Even Scratch will support this device. I found a minor problem while dragging & dropping a program onto the microbit: I always get an error message like if I was trying to unmount the device, however, the program copies Ok though the error is disturbing. I tried with different USB cables so it's not a matter of the cable. This happens under MacOSX. I haven't tried it yet under Windows nor GNU/Linux. The USB cable would be longer in order to facilitate some operations like shaking the Micro:bit. Would be good to have a hardware button to toggle the device on/off, or at least a software visible at first sight. The blinking LEDs may make you feel that the device is consuming a lot of energy so between one program to another you want the program to stop.

I hope they are useful in learning a broad collection of applications. Simple radio connections may help my nephews and nieces learn Computer applications involving multiple machines .

Everything works awesome. The problem was that it was backordered with little communication from the company. We ordered these to include in the cost a workshop we were providing. I was contacted once with an offer to buy a more expensive kit at a slight discount to get it sooner but, when I explained the situation, heard nothing. The kits arrived a week after the workshop.

I work for a school, and am a dad and tinkerer. These Microbits are awesome because you can start making right out of the box. Coding with the makecode is a piece of cake - and kids get to create things they care about.

This is the best embedded system for kids. The scratch architecture is super easy for 1st timers.

I can't really say much specifically about my latest purchase. I had reclaimed one from one bot to another bot, so the previous bot was suffering "Tin Woodsman Syndrome". I haven't got around to testing it, but so far so good; it can no longer claim it has no brain. (maybe I'll make it play that song). More useful to future buyers, I'd like to say there had been a long drought where no one seemed to have micro:bits at all and I checked for months on Amazon and other online electronic parts stores. All online stores got new shipments at roughly the same time, but Sparkfun had the best prices for both this Bundle and lone boards. Perhaps there are Chinese sites now, but with long shipping times and inability to return products, why waste time with them? Sparkfun came through on price as well as quality control, etc. I'm sure if I do find something off, even if its user error, I can get help at Sparkfun, and that deserves a good review.

On time! My students love them!

I used these for a professional development session with teachers at our school. By the end of the one hour workshop the math teachers were excited to be integrating programming and the microbit into their curriculum. The kit is great because you get the USB cable and batteries included; no need for additional purchases.