The Micro:bit Educational Foundation has announced the manufacturing and launch of the latest version of the micro:bit.

The BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized computer helping to inspire more than 25 million children to learn digital creativity and computing skills, will receive its first major updates since launching in 2016.

Available from mid-November 2020, it will now include a built-in speaker and microphone, enabling people to learn through sound and to get creative with it straight out-of-the-box. The hardware also includes a number of technical upgrades to ensure that in the future the device is an ideal tool for exploring, understanding and experimenting with AI and ML, as these technologies begin to transform the planet.

The new microbit continues to support all of the same features that teachers and students have come to love, and all the existing lessons and code for the original microbit will be compatible with the new device. In addition, as part of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation’s commitment to keeping the device as cost-effective and accessible as possible, the new device will be released in November at a similar price point to the original.

What's New

  • Sense sound and transform projects with the microphone
  • Make sound and bring your micro:bit to life with the speaker 
  • Program the gold micro:bit logo to respond to your touch
  • More computing power 
  • Handy power save button 

What's New with micro:bit V2 Diagram

Comparison Chart

Feature Current (V1.5) Latest (v2)
Processor Nordic Semiconductor nRF51822 Nordic Semiconductor nRF52833
Memory 256kB Flash, 16kB RAM 512kB Flash, 128kB RAM
Interface NXP KL26Z, 16kB RAM NXP KL27Z, 32kB RAM
Microphone N/A MEMS microphone and LED indicator
Speaker N/A On board speaker
Logo Touch N/A Touch sensitive logo pin
Edge Connector 25 pins. 3 dedicated GPIO, PWM, i2c, SPI and ext. power.
3 ring pins for connecting crocodile clips/banana plugs.		 25 pins. 4 dedicated GPIO, PWM, i2c, SPI and ext. power.
3 ring pins for connecting crocodile clips/banana plugs. Notched for easier connection
I2C Shared I2C Bus Dedicated I2C Bus for peripherals
Wireless 2.4Ghz Micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluetooth 4.0 2.4Ghz Micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluetooth 5.0
Power 5V via Micro USB port, 3V via edge connector or battery pack 5V via Micro USB port, 3V via edge connector or battery pack,
LED power indicator, Power off (push and hold power button)
Current Available 90mA available for accessories 200mA available for accessories
Motion Sensor ST LSM 303 ST LSM 303
Software C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch
Size 5cm(w) x 4cm(h) 5cm(w) x 4cm(h)

 

New Way to Connect Crocodile Clips

New Way to Connect Crocodile Clips to micro:bit V2

Micro:bit Packaging

BBC micro:bit board V2

BBC micro:bit v2 Single

Contents
1x Micro:bit Board & 1x User Guide.

Purchase Here

BBC micro:bit Go V2

BBC micro:bit v2 GO

Contents
1x Micro:bit Board, 1x User Guide, 1x USB Cable, 1x Battery Holder & 2x AAA Batteries.

Purchase Here

BBC micro:bit Club V2

BBC micro:bit v2 Club

Contents
10x Micro:bit Board, 10x User Guide, 10x USB Cable, 10x Battery Holder & 20x AAA Batteries.

Purchase Here

The micro:bit Go & Club now come with a 30cm USB cable and the latest microbit which can be powered off by pushing and holding the power button.


Important Info

Updating .hex files

The editors and apps are being updated over the coming weeks and are currrently in beta. When they are released, you should update any compiled .hex files that you host as part of your resources. To do this, simply drag and drop them into the editor in which they were created and then download the .hex file.

Universal Hex Note that the updated file will be ~1.8Mb as opposed to ~700Kb in size. This increase in size means that the hex file can be used on any board revision and is called a Universal Hex file.


Bluetooth BLE

A hex file that enables all micro:bit Bluetooth services is available to use for testing BLE. Download the updated version of the BLE all services hex.


Code Editors

The editors will support both versions simultaneously for features common to both boards, for example the motion sensor, LEDs, buttons etc.


Makecode

You can use the latest board revision in the beta editor https://makecode.microbit.org/beta

An extension has been developed to include the microphone and logo touch features currently available. https://github.com/microbit-foundation/pxt-microbit-v2-extension
  • Open https://makecode.microbit.org/beta
  • Select Advanced > Add Extension and paste https://github.com/microbit-foundation/pxt-microbit-v2-extension into the search box.
  • Click on the extension to add it to the toolbox.
V2 MakeCode APIs The Microphone and Logo touch features can be found in the Input menu.

The Speaker features can be found in the music menu.


Python

You can use the latest board revision and APIs in the Python beta editor: https://python.microbit.org/v/beta

If you want to use a specific or custom build of MicroPython you can do this in Mu.
  • Drag and drop the MicroPython binary on to the MICROBIT drive
  • Open the Files tab in Mu and copy main.py from the Files on your computer to the Files on your micro:bit
 

More info on the micro:bit V2 here