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 making it more like a computer.


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


a picture of the front of micro:bit V2.x

a picture of the back of micro:bit v2.x

Features

Latest micro:bit (v2.x only)

an icon representing micro:bit speaker Speaker to play back sounds and melodies and make some noise!


an icon representing micro:bit microphone Microphone to respond to sounds. A microphone LED, lets you know when the microphone is in use.

All micro:bits

an icon representing the LEDs on micro:bit 25 red LED lights that can flash messages and be used to create games.


An icon representing Button A on micro:bit An icon representing B button on micro:bit  Two programmable buttons that can be used to control games or pause and skip songs on a music playlist.


An icon of a person running representing the accelerometer Accelerometer to detect motion and know when you're on the move.


An icon representing a compass on a micro:bit Built-in compass to know which direction you're heading in.


An icon represented by a radio to show radio and Bluetooth supported on micro:bit Radio and Bluetooth transmitter and receiver to let you interact with mobile devices wirelessly.


An icon represented by a pushpin to shown pins on micro:bit 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 to 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

The version number printed on the bottom right corner on the back of the micro:bit of

  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.

A picture of the back of the mico:bit showing labels for microphone, speaker and the gold-coloured antenna

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

A picture of a V2 micro:bit with its wavey edge connector

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


A picture of the new V2 touch-sensitive input logo

latest micro:bit (V2.x)

A picture of the original V1.x logo

previous micro:bit (V1.x)