Credit Card Sized Arduino Based Handheld Header

There is a credit-card sized Arduino based handheld on Kickstarter

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Even though I am not exactly sure what I would do with a credit-card sized Arduino based handheld, there is no denying that a credit-card sized Arduino based handheld is very cool. So, you will be glad to know there is a credit-card sized Arduino based handheld on Kickstarter. You probably already know this (unless you have short term memory issues like that guy in Memento), as that is what the headline to this news item said, but it is worth repeating.

With that terrible opening paragraph out of the way, why not look at the credit-card sized Arduino based handheld spinning?

credit-card-sized-arduino-based-handheld-spinning

Specs:

  • Processor: ATmega32u4 (same as Arduino Leonardo & Micro)
  • Memory: 32KB Flash, 2.5KB RAM, 1KB EEPROM
  • Connectivity: USB 2.0 w/ built in HID profile
  • Inputs: 6 momentary tactile buttons
  • Outputs: 128×64 1Bit OLED, 2 Ch. Piezo Speaker & Blinky LED
  • Battery: 180 mAh Thin-Film Lithium Polymer
  • Programming: Arduino IDE, Codebender, GCC & AVRDude

That handheld, which is called The Arduboy is the brainchild of Kevin Bates – who has been working on it full time for at least a year at this point. The idea however first showed up on the Internet well over a year ago (it looked a bit different though). That version, was not up for sale, and it has taken over a year of refinement to launch the new version. This refined version boasts an OLED screen, a polycarbonate front shell to protect its internals, and a metal plate on the back to add support. It is minimalist, but also quite fancy looking, and is only 5mm thick. It is quite a nice package for just $39.

As the Arduboy is such a unique platform – unlikely unable to run any kind of emulator – the handheld will need a community to develop games for it. The good news is that over a hundred developer kits are already out in the wild, and games are already being created – with 11 separate ones mentioned on the Kickstarter page. Furthermore, if you have the know how, you can make your own games for it.

At the time of writing, the Kickstarter is already funded, and about to hit one of its stretch goals (different coloured units). If all goes to plan backers will receive an Arduboy later this year in October.