Same great features, easier ways to use sound and touch to get creative in the classroom
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The new BBC micro:bit
We’re really excited to announce the launch of the latest BBC micro:bit.
Sense and react to sound with the built-in microphone
Play sound with the built-in speaker
Capacitive touch sensor (a bit like your phone!)
Power saving mode
More computing power
You have all obviously been listening to the community… the addition of the speaker and mic is a gamechanger!
Joachim Choen, New South Wales, Australia
Meet the latest micro:bit
Sensing and making sound
New micro:bit is here
With five million micro:bits already used for teaching digital skills and computational thinking, the updated micro:bit is set to add even more opportunities for learning, exploration and creativity in classrooms.
The new micro:bit is available to buy at the same price point and you can visit the buy page to find out if it is available in your area.
You can turn the outdoors into your classroom with the micro:bit
What you can do with it
This is extremely exciting news, I can't wait to get this into our classrooms!
Shaina Glass, Aldine Independent School District, Texas, USA
With the built-in speaker, microphone and touch sensor on the new micro:bit, there are even more exciting things you can add to your projects.
Clap hearts
Clap your hands to make the heart beat using the sound sensor
Bumblebee
Fly your bumblebee to see how motion affects the frequency, tempo and volume of its sound
Hold the note
Keep singing to make all the LEDs light up
Mimic
Talk to your micro:bit and listen to it mimic the rhythm of your speech
New! Sense and play with sound
My pupils and I have been exploring sound with micro:bit in projects for several years. Now these investigations can be taken to a whole new level.
Justin Bioletti, Torriano Junior School, London
The new BBC micro:bit has a built-in microphone and speaker to allow sound-sensing and sound-making without the need to attach another device.
Great to see the new micro:bit with more fun with sound. That is a real trigger for kids for sure! This looks really promising and it keeps the simplicity and is true to the original concept. I like that!
Jon Haavie, Teknisk Museum, Norway
Software development and compatibility
Our online editors are designed to be really easy to use to program the micro:bit and this will continue for the new features of sound sensing, sound-making and touch.
The latest micro:bit will fit right in to your existing lessons and materials; all the existing MakeCode blocks and MicroPython code will work in the same way as they do on the original micro:bit. The previous micro:bit will also continue to work just as it did before. More features, including easy ways to take AI and ML into the classroom, will be released throughout 2021. Watch this space.
Technical specifications
We've summarised the detail on the hardware and software on our tech website.
Getting hands-on and experimenting with the micro:bit is critical to helping children better understand important technologies early in their development.
Gareth Stockdale, CEO Micro:bit Educational Foundation
Deepen understanding and build digital skills with the micro:bit
FAQs
Where can I get the new micro:bit?
The micro:bit is available to buy now. Visit the Buy page to find out where to buy from our resellers when it becomes available in your region.
The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is a not-for-profit. When you buy the micro:bit we receive a royalty which helps our work in education programmes worldwide.
The original micro:bit is great, why the change?
Over the 5 years since the original micro:bit was designed, the Micro:bit Educational Foundation has listened to the requests of educators. In updating the micro:bit, we’ve opened up a new range of creative possibilities without removing anything, or disrupting the existing micro:bit experience, because we know that stability is more important than any individual feature!
Can I still use the micro:bit I have?
Yes. Your micro:bit(s) will still work in exactly the same way and will continue to be supported by Microsoft MakeCode and MicroPython. You will still be able to use all your resources in exactly the same way as before too.
Any programs you create that use the original micro:bit features will work on your original and new version of the micro:bit, though of course you’ll need to connect headphones or a speaker to the original micro:bit to hear any sound!
I’ve got a micro:bit and lots of lessons for my students. Will the new micro:bit work with them?
Yes, the new micro:bit will work with your existing micro:bits in the same way they do now. You will just have to update your hex files before using the new micro:bit.
We are working closely with accessory makers to ensure your accessories will continue to work in the same way. There may be occasional instances where this is not possible, but this will be rare.
