BBC micro:bit launch delayed by power problems

An issue with its power supply meant it would now be sent out “after Christmas”, said a spokesman. ‘We’ve decided to make some minor revisions to the way power is supplied around the board, as this was affecting a few devices in rare and isolated instances, ‘ explained the BBC’s head of learning Sinead Rocks in a blog post this week. Delivery was anticipated to occur in September, so that every 11 or 12 year-old in the United Kingdom could be given the computer to spur them into digital classroom action.

The Micro Bit computer will arrive at a time when there are a number of rival devices.

Whereas devices like the Raspberry Pi can function as fully-fledged desktop computers, the Micro is geared more directly to “maker” projects.

It also has five Input/Output rings, which can transmit data and commands to other devices or sensors.

That’s not to say that the finished micro:bit is not a positive and important idea, and can’t still succeed; manufacturing issues are common with any hardware launch and particularly common nowadays in the age of Kickstarter. The BBC only announced its insanely (and laudably) ambitious plans to roll out a million free micro:bits back in March. The final design, however, which was revealed in July, was powered by an external AAA battery pack.

Micro:bit features, pinouts, etc.

The Micro Bit is a collaboration between 29 partners including Barclays, Microsoft, Samsung and Lancaster University. One of the biggest contributors is chip manufacturer ARM, who provided the mbed hardware and software dev kits.

BBC director general Tony Hall hopes the Micro Bit will “equip a new generation with the digital skills they need to find jobs and help grow the United Kingdom economy”.

In an amusing quirk of fate, the BBC’s last big educational computing effort-the BBC Micro-was also delayed.