A games developer, David Braben, recently paid the BBC a visit with a prototype computer called the Raspberry Pi. The minicomputer consists of a tiny circuit board with an ARM processor, a USB port and a HDMI connection – and that’s about it. Users just have to attach a keyboard to its USB port, and a TV to its HDMI port and they’re set.
Designed for the younger generation, this barebones computer comes with Linux and will resemble kit computers from the 1970s and 80s – which folks used to play around with under the hood to pick up programming skills. The computers will also be capable of doing basic tasks like checking email, Twitter and so on. It’ll be interesting to see what kids can accomplish with the computer when they get their hands on it.
Braben and other enthusiasts have plans to turn this prototype into a product that could be given to every child in Britain. While it still has a long way to go before it becomes a fully fledged product that can be manufactured for about $25 (£15) and given away for free, it sure looks like a promising project that can inspire the next generation of young programmers.
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