No more DRAW A CIRCLE

Bitty Data Logger users will probably have played with the micro:bit's magnetometer (AKA digital compass) at some point, as will many other micro:bit users, with or without the involvement of Bluetooth.

The magnetometer needs to be calibrated in the environment in which it is to be used, for accurate data to be acquired from it. Originally, simply including the MakeCode "Bluetooth magnetometer service" block was enough to both make the magnetometer data available over Bluetooth *and* initiate the calibration procedure automatically when the micro:bit code started. If you've seen this happen, you'll know that the old procedure starts with the text "DRAW A CIRCLE" scrolling across the micro:bit screen. A single LED then appears and by rotating the microbit with its edge facing upwards, you light each LED on the outer edge of the display. Once a complete "circle" has been drawn, calibration is complete and your micro:bit will continue starting up.

Here's a very simple MakeCode project that could be used with Bitty Data Logger to log magnetometer data:

Things changed in the latest release of the micro:bit firmware (known as the DAL). Now, calibration does not happen automatically. To calibrate your micro:bit's magnetometer you must now explicitly request this in code. There's a block available for just this purpose so you could, for example initiate magnetometer calibration when button A is pressed, like this:

This change may affect Bitty Data Logger users. Magnetometer data will not stream into the micro:bit, even with the right code on the micro:bit until you have calibrated it. Luckily it's possible to initiate calibration from within the Settings screen of Bitty Data Logger:

That's it! Happy data logging!

GiggleBot and Bitty Controller

GiggleBot is a wheeled "bot" from Dexter Industries which you control with a BBC micro:bit.

There are quite a few bots available for micro:bit enthusiasts now, but this one does have a certain je ne sais qoi. Perhaps it's the integral line following and light level sensors or maybe it's the neopixels mounted on its surface. Or maybe it's the expansion possibilities, with multiple points to connect external sensors and dedicated connectors for up to two servos. Or perhaps its the slot through which you can drop a marker pen so that your GiggleBot can draw as you drive. Either way, GiggleBot is full featured, full of potential for some very exciting educational projects and on the whole, tres, tres cool. Oui. Le GiggleBot, c'est bon (with apologies to French speakers everywhere!).

It's also a tough little bot. I drove mine right off the top of a table and it landing with a sickening "crunch" on a hard, wooden floor. Not a problem. GiggleBot shrugged off the impact and got right back to work.

And giggling GiggleBots, Batman! GiggleBot has the best name too :-)

But enough of my thoughts on GiggleBot, already. What's this?

GiggleBot and Bitty Controller work together!

"Really? Oh wow!" I hear you say! Well, yes kind reader, it is indeed true. With the right code on your micro:bit, you can use the GiggleBot's I²C interface to take full control, driving your GiggleBot from your phone using the Bitty Controller app or web browser using BittyWeb. You can also collect sensor data and display it on Bitty Controller's enhanced touchpad controller UI.

C'est magnifique! And it really is :-)


Here's a video demonstration for your viewing pleasure.



You'll find code and information about using Bitty Controller with a GiggleBot right here.

And more information on GiggleBot itself at https://www.gigglebot.io/

Bitty Event Monitor V1.0 now available

BittyWeb now has a new application called Bitty Event Monitor.

Monitor anything you like using your micro:bit and report significant events to this BittyWeb application and it will indicate whatever is going on with the colour and text that you choose. Suitable for a huge range of classroom and maker projects, you could monitor temperature bands, atmospheric pressure ranges or motion. If you can measure it on a micro:bit using the right code, you can report different states to Bitty Event Monitor for it to indicate visually on your screen.

Watch this video of Bitty Event Monitor working with a micro:bit running some simple temperature monitoring code:




Code for the temperature monitor is available here:

https://github.com/bittysoftware/bitty_blue_device_code/tree/master/microbit/makecode

Bitty Polyhedra V1.0 now available in BittyWeb

BittyWeb has a new application. It's called Bitty Polyhedra and it's designed to help teach and learn about 3D geometric shapes known as polyhedra. Start by loading our hex file onto your micro:bit or follow the Bitty Software tutorial to make your own. Then, in BittyWeb go into the Bitty Polyhedra application, scan for your micro:bit, select and connect to it.

From there you can explore shapes in the shape library, rotating 3D images of the selected shape on screen using your micro:bit as a controller, tilting or rotating to control the shape on screen.

Test your knowledge by taking a quiz!

Lots of fun and educational too.



BittyWeb is no longer available.

Changes to Bitty Controller, Bitty Blue and micro:bit blue

This week sees some important changes made to Bitty Blue, Bitty Controller and micro:bit blue. The d-pad controller in micro:bit blue has been removed and similarly, the on/off switch control has been removed from Bitty Blue. The on/off controller is now available in Bitty Controller, where logically, it belongs. Bitty Blue and micro:bit blue are both free of charge but Bitty Controller is a paid for application, albeit with a very low price. This change has been made to rationalise the functionality in each application and eliminate duplication. Commercial pressures also play a part and it is hoped that users of Bitty Software applications will not object to helping to fund the running of Bitty Software so that applications for micro:bit can continue to be offered.

Announcing BittyWeb 1.0

It's been a year in the making so it is with great excitement that I am able to announce that BittyWeb 1.0 is now available for general use!

BittyWeb puts micro:bit educational applications in the hands of every member of class, exactly where it should be. It's web based so all you need is a suitable web browser and a computer, tablet or smartphone that has Bluetooth 4.0 or later.

There are three applications in version 1.0. Bitty Data Logger, for visualising and analysing data from micro:bit sensors and other things connected to its pins. Bitty Controller let you remote control machines and is ideal for eletronics and robotics projects. Bitty Polyhedra is not quite complete but as you'll see, it provides a fun way to let young students explore the world of 3D geometry using their micro:bit to allow three dimensional viewing of important shapes. More applications are planned too.

To use BittyWeb, your organisation needs an account and to subscribe to use the system for a given period of time, with a selected maximum number of concurrent users. Typically this would be the size of one or two classes.

By the way, the orientation video for V1.0 should whet your appetite!

And here's the applications promo video!



Sadly, despite this being a genius idea, BittyWeb was not as popular as expected and is no longer available.It was fun while it lasted though!

Coming soon - BittyWeb

Bitty Software will soon be launching a new system which will make it possible for educators to use applications like Bitty Data Logger in a completely new way and involve the entire class.

The current Bitty Software mobile applications for the BBC micro:bit have proved popular with teachers and STEM ambassadors, allowing invisible physical  phenomena to be visualised and analysed, robots to be programmed and remote controlled and coding exercises to be undertaken. But the nature of mobile applications and the policy many schools have on the use of smartphones in class has meant that the applications were only really available to the adults in the room, typically teachers. That's all set to change with BittyWeb.

BittyWeb makes the Bitty Software applications available on PCs running Windows 10 or Linux, and on Macs, Chromebooks and Android devices, in all cases from within a web browser. Yes, all you need is the Google Chrome web browser running on a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone which has support for Bluetooth 4.0 or later and you're all set to run some of the most immersive and inclusive science, technology and coding classes ever!

To use BittyWeb, organisations will need to register for an account and subscribe to use the system for a certain duration (e.g. 12 weeks) and with support for a given maximum number of concurrent users (e.g. 30 for a whole class). Registering will result in an organisational account being created and a user account for the member of staff who will act as the system administrator for their organisation. That user can then log in and create as many standard user accounts as they are likely to need, typically one for each member of class. Standard user accounts are completely anonymous, by the way.

Version 1.0 of BittyWeb will include the Bitty Data Logger and Bitty Controller applications. Further BittyWeb applications are planned though and we're always open to ideas.

BittyWeb is currently in beta testing and if you'd like access (free of charge of course), please email bittysoftwareuk AT gmail DOT com to discuss.

Here's to the BBC micro:bit in the classroom!