Overview


The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that you can program and physically interact with. The latest micro:bit adds sound sensing and playback capabilities.


Is the micro:bit a computer or a microcontroller?

You might also hear the micro:bit referred to as a microcontroller. The board contains a microcontroller that can be programmed to perform specific tasks, but it also has input and output devices like buttons and an LED display which makes it more than a microcontroller.


A microprocessor plus memory, storage and physical input/output devices make a computer like the one you are reading this article on. The micro:bit is just a pocket-sized one.


Contents


Images


front of micro:bit

back of micro:bit


Features

Latest micro:bit

speaker high volume Speaker to play back sounds and melodies and make some noise!


studio microphone Microphone to respond to sounds. A microphone LED, lets you know when the microphone is in use.


All micro:bits

light bulb 25 red LED lights that can flash messages and be used to create games.


A button blood type B button blood type  Two programmable buttons that can be used to control games or pause and skip songs on a music playlist.


woman running Accelerometer to detect motion and know when you're on the move.


compass Built-in compass to know which direction you're heading in.


radio Radio and Bluetooth transmitter and receiver to let you interact with mobile devices wirelessly.


pushpin A range of input and output pins to let you connect the micro:bit to other devices via it’s Edge Connector




You can find more information on the hardware in our guide.


Here is an introduction to the device from the microbit.org website




Versions

There are two versions of the micro:bit; the latest revision has an onboard speaker and microphone and the previous revision does not. 


Both versions work in the same way and you can continue to use the previous revision with all the micro:bit apps and editors as you would expect.


How to tell the difference between micro:bit versions

There are a few easy ways in which you can identify whether you have the latest board revision.


  1. The Version number (V2) is printed clearly in the bottom right corner on the rear of the board


  1. On the back of the device you will see that the label now identifies the MICROPHONE and SPEAKER, and the BLE ANTENNA is gold coloured.

  1. The Edge Connector has handy notches to make it easier to use crocodile clips or conductive thread without it slipping between pins. 

  1. On the front of the device the micro:bit logo in now gold coloured. This means it can be used as a touch-sensitive input pin.


latest micro:bit

previous micro:bit