I’m keeping a list and you should check it twice–if your XBees aren’t working that is. Common XBee Mistakes is compiled from tons of troubleshooting sessions. It’s a work in progress so suggestions and additions are warmly welcomed. Read and share.
The ITP community will once again embark on a creative project marathon. This time it will be four projects in four days at the end of Winter Break. Steven, Caroline and I holding an open “drive-by” meeting tonight (Dec. 11) to get the ball rolling. Students, faculty and maybe even some alumni will create a finished creative project every day for four days. See 5-in-5 and 7-in-7 for a history of this event. Internal coordination is happening on ITPedia.
Botanicalls is now available from Make Magazine’s online store.
We’re also one of InfoWorld’s top 10 gadget gifts, and they even explain “Why you must have it“. Gosh.
More Samtec tigers, unearthed with the help of the venerable wayback machine.
Seriously, who does these?
The LilyPad XBee a sew-in wearable radio is now available from SparkFun Electronics! It can be paired with LilyPad wearable sensors, custom built sensors and a variety of output devices to create a complete wireless wearable system. The board is $14.95 (XBee sold separately). Wow, from 7-in-7 exercise to commercially produced item in five months. I’m still working on nailing down a funder for that clam-flavored gum…
Artists Alex Reeder and Amy Khoshbin both invested in early prototypes so they’ll be producing the pioneering LilyPad XBee projects. Check their sites for upcoming work.
LilyPad XBee $14.95 plus shipping (XBee sold separately)
We’re in the ThinkGeek printed catalog, page 15 (PDF). More retail coming soon! In the meantime treat yourself to a Kits and titanium sporks.
Samtec is a company that manufactures high-quality electronic connectors. Laudable to many, doubtless a bit dry to some. Therefore, possibly to spice things up, they selected a tiger as their mascot. Tigers are exciting! However maybe the sizzle of a big cat wasn’t enough, or perhaps electronic connectors needed something more or just possibly some anonymous graphics professional in Indiana has joie de vivre to spare. Whatever the reason, this tiger regularly dons comically photoshopped garb to hawk Samtec’s wares. Is anyone collecting these?
Wow, it’s official. ThinkGeek just launched our new Botanicalls Kits online in their store and newsletter. We might do the trifecta by getting into their printed catalog so check your mailbox daily.
Gizmodo, Wired News and a bunch of other blogs covered the launch, but the real fun is making your own, so get on ThinkGeek and buy yourself a Botanicalls Kit! Or three.
Adafruit is selling the new Botanicalls Kits, and there’s a lovely post from Lady Ada herself about the update. We’re thrilled to have such staunch supporters and to be in the mix with so many other groovy kits.
So please, switch that TV off. It’s time to tune in to your potted pals with a brand-new Botanicalls Kit from Adafruit.
Kate Hartman and I will be teaching a hot new class in Wireless Wearables using the LilyPad XBee. It is offered through downtown Brooklyn’s hacker space, NYC Resistor on Sunday, December 14th from 2-6 p.m. The price of the class includes your own brand-new LilyPad XBee board, an XBee radio and all needed soft circuit materials. The class description explains all:
Get ready to explore the delights of mutual connectivity with the soon-to-be released XBee LilyPad! This class will introduce the communication and construction techniques necessary to create wireless wearables. We’ll start by learning how to communicate using XBee radios, including digital, analog, input and output modes along with an overview of other useful features. Once we’ve made contact, we’ll translate our circuits onto fabric, learning how to make flexible, durable, and attractive connections between components using conductive textiles and threads. By the end of the class, we’ll have our soft circuits conversing wirelessly and you’ll be ready to create your own clothing, toy or tapestry that talks!
The price is great and space is limited. Sign up here!
