Cloud-connected, programmable devices like Adafruit’s MagTag make it easy to pull live data from internet sources: tides, space launches, transit schedules and more.
We’ve learned a pretty easy way to do this with your own data using Google Sheets — a free, web-based spreadsheet platform. You might already have an account.
Create and edit lists and reminders easily using a web browser or mobile app…then, combined with some CircuitPython programming, have this information displayed on MagTag. Google Sheets allows multiple people to collaborate on the same document. If you really get to know your way around Google Sheets, it’s possible to have it (and thus MagTag) showing dynamic data like stock quotes or days-remaining counters.
Eink, E-paper, Think Ink – Collin shares six segments pondering the unusual low-power display technology that somehow still seems a bit sci-fi – http://adafruit.com/thinkink
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
