Interfaces
These bits can interface with, or talk to, external computers and devices
NOTE: The official name for bits with an orange color is WIRE
Makey Makey
This bit has two functions:
- It sends keystrokes over USB when a signal is sent to it.
- It can send a signal, like a button, when it's contacts are shorted.
How to Use
- Either send a signal through one of its inputs, or short a key contact and the "Earth" contact by connecting them, to send the corresponding keystroke to a computer hooked up using a Micro-USB cable.
- Short a contact and the "Earth" contact by connecting them to send an ON signal out the corresponding output.
Other Info
For more info, check out the Makey Makey website.
Arduino
It is a tiny computer called a microcontroller. It allows you to add programming to your circuits. It can recieve inputs and send outputs, and you can program any function into it. The code on the bit tells it what to do. There are three inputs, and three outputs, so you can program advanced hardware interactions or communicate with software.
How to Use
To load code onto the bit, connect it to your computer with a Micro-USB cable. Once you’ve loaded the code, it will stay on the bit, even if you disconnect it from the computer. If you leave it connected, you can also use it to send messages between your circuit and your computer.
Other Info
To learn more about how to use the Arduino Bit, check out the Arduino resources page here.
CloudBit
NOTE: As of currently, the CloudBit is discontinued and the CloudBit software service is down for maintenance.
This bit provides an easy way to create IoT devices, using the Internet of Things. When it recieves an input, it can send it out to the internet. It can also recieve a signal from the internet and output it into your circuit.
How to Use
There are three ways to interact with the bit:
Other Info
There are a few places to help get started:
USB I/O
This bit allows you send and receive digital audio and control voltages to and from a computer. When used in conjunction with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), you can record your sounds directly into a computer. You can also send audio from a computer to the littleBits to manipulate it.
How to Use
It connects to a computer using a Micro-USB cable. You can use it for:
- Sending and receiving control voltages allows you to use software programs like Max, PD, and CV Toolkit with the bit to control other bits.
- Using bits to create hardware controls for your software.
It will appear to your computer as an audio interface and its input and output routing can be selected as with any other audio interface. The bit can only be selected as either an input or output device at a given time but multiple of these bits can be used at once.