.net gadgeteer opensource toolkit

‘fez spider’ is first hardware made available for microsoft’s modular opensource toolkit ‘.net gadgeteer’

the opensource toolkit microsoft ‘.net gadgeteer‘ offers a way for users with little electronics background to create and prototype devices made up of sensors, lights, switches, displays, motors, and other hardware. a range of components can be assembled together via a mainboard, programmable in C# using the .net framework.

designed for hobbyist as well as professional use, each socket on the mainboard chips is numbered and labeled with letters that indicate what modules can be plugged into it. the hardware modules are likewise marked with letters for simple ‘plug-and-play’ matching. innovatively, users can debug their programs while the device is running.

the first ‘gadgeteer’ hardware– the fez spider kit from GHI electronics, and its component modules– is available for preorder, to begin shipping september 30th, 2011. view the videos below for examples of a miniature arcade cabinet and a flipbook maker created on the ‘gadgeteer’ framework.

‘gadgeteer’ touchscreen module from GHI electronics

joystick module

camera module

various hardware components

diagram of mainboard

size reference

discussion of ‘.net gadgeteer’, and demonstration of building a camera with the technology

demo of a miniature arcade cabinet made with ‘.net gadgeteer’

demo of a stop-motion/flipbook maker made with ‘.net gadgeteer’

via slashdot

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design-aerobics 2011: TECH GADGETS course september 15 – november 15, 2011 as more and more technological objects find their way into everyday life

designboom will hold an online design course on the theme of ‘tech-gadgets’. we’ll look at the most significant designs yet and ponder what might be around the corner. to see a lesson sample and information on how to enroll click here.