While those interested in running Microsoft's Windows 10 IoT Core—its free OS for hobbyist boards like the Raspberry Pi 2 and MinnowBoard Max—will likely have the chops to put together their own custom hardware configuration, the company wants to give newbies a helping hand. Microsoft has partnered with Adafruit to release the Windows IoT Core Starter Kit, which gives users everything they need to get started with IoT development.
The $75 (~£50) kit comes comes complete with an SD card preloaded with Windows 10 IoT Core, a Raspberry Pi 2 case, full size 40-pin breadboard, miniature WiFi module, BMP280 environmental sensor, RGB colour sensor, eight channel 10-Bit ADC with SPI interface, and a whole host of different resistors and LEDs. Those who needed Raspberry Pi 2 can pick up a $114.95 (~£70) with one included. A full list of the included components is below.
- 8GB class 10 SD/MicroSD Memory Card w/ Windows 10 IOT Core
- Adafruit Raspberry Pi B+ Case
- Full Size Breadboard
- Premium Male/Male Jumper Wires
- Premium Female/Male 'Extension' Jumper Wires
- Miniature WiFi Module
- 5V 2A Switching Power Supply
- Assembled Adafruit BMP280 Temperature & Humidity sensor
- Assembled TCS34725 RGB Color Sensor
- MCP3008 - 8 Channel 10-Bit ADC With SPI Interface
- 1x Photo Cell
- 2x Breadboard Trim Potentiometer
- 5x 10K 5% 1/4W Resistor
- 5x 560 ohm 5% 1/4W Resistor
- 1x Diffused 10mm Blue LED
- 1x Electrolytic Capacitor - 1.0uF
- 1x Diffused 10mm Red LED
- 1x Diffused 10mm Green LED
- 3x 12mm Tactile Switches
Microsoft is hoping that kit, along with some free sample code, will encourage users to ditch Linux on their IoT projects in favour of Windows 10. While that's a big ask, the company has been heavily courting the hobbyist community of late. Earlier this year, Microsoft revealed that it was bringing Windows 10 to the ever popular Arduino microcontroller boards, starting with the release of two open source libraries that connect Arduinos to Windows 10 devices.
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