The new BBC micro:bit comes with a speaker, microphone, and more powerful processing capability
The New micro:bit released on Oct.13th
BBC micro:bit and The Micro:bit Educational Foundation announced the latest version of micro:bit V2, comes with more powerful nRF52833 processing capability, added touch-sensitive logo, microphone, speaker, LED indicator, and power indicator.
Pre-order the new Micro:bit today at Seeed!
Coding is hard and complicated as everyone who is not into electronics will say this. However, micro:bit provides a way of graphical drag-and-drop programming. Programming the micro:bit is beginner friendly and you do not need to have years of experience.
What’s New?
Current version 
Current version
Taking a closer look at front of two boards, besides the 5×5 LED array with the light sensor to be used as a tiny screen to display words, numbers, and other DIY information, the new version of micro:bit has been added a touch-sensitive logo, microphone and LED indicator.
On the back of the board, you can see the core of the micro:bit board. The previous version is built with 16MHz, 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller with 256KB Flash, 16KB RAM. New micro:bit comes with larger memory of 512k of RAM and 128k of ROM with built-in Bluetooth Low Energy.
There is also a built-in temperature sensor, accelerometer sensor, compass, and Bluetooth antenna, micro USB for data transmission and power, and a two-pin JST connector for different power options in the back. The new version of micro:bit also provides additional speaker, power indicator microphone
Finally, at the bottom of the board, you will find that the biggest change of the bottom line is that the new version has been changed as Notched bottom for easier connecting with extension boards. There are the same 25 edge pins and five ring connectors for connecting crocodile clips and external components. However, the new version provides an extra GPIO port at the bottom.
More efficient and low – power nRF52833
The nRF52833 is a general-purpose multiprotocol SoC with a Bluetooth Direction Finding capable radio, qualified for operation at an extended temperature range of -40°C to 105°C. The nRF52833 is the 5th addition to the industry-leading nRF52 Series and is built around a 64 MHz Arm Cortex-M4 with FPU. The nRF52833 provides micro:bit more memory with 512 KB flash and 128 KB RAM memory for more complex applications.
What does nRF52833 offer?
- 64 MHz Arm Cortex-M4 with FPU
- 512 KB Flash, 128 KB RAM
- 2 Mbps, 1 Mbps, Long Range
- Bluetooth Low Energy
- Bluetooth Direction Finding
- Bluetooth mesh
- Thread, Zigbee
- +8 dBm TX Power
- 128-bit AES CCM
- UART, SPI, TWI, PDM
- HS-SPI, I2S, PWM
- 12-bit ADC
- NFC
- USB 2.0
The nRF52 Series offers pin-compatible device options for Bluetooth® Low Energy, proprietary 2.4 GHz, and ANT™ solutions giving you the freedom to develop your wireless system using the technology that suits your application the best. The unique memory and hardware resource protection system allow you to develop applications on devices with embedded protocol stacks running on the same processor without any need to link in the stack or strenuous testing to avoid application and stack from interfering with each other.
Compare the old version and the latest version of micro:bit
| Features | Old Version | Latest Version |
| Processor | Nordic nRF51822-QFAA-R rev 3 | Nordic nRF52833 |
| Flash ROM | 256KB | 512KB |
| RAM | 16KB | 128KB |
| Interface | NXP KL26Z, 16kB RAM | NXP KL27Z, 32kB RAM |
| Microphone | N/A | MEMS microphone and LED indicator |
| Speaker | N/A | onboard 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 bottom for easier connection. |
| I2C | Shared I2C BUS | Dedicated I2C BUS for peripherals |
| Wireless | 2.4 Ghz micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluettoth 4.0 | 2.4 Ghz micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Power | 5V via micro USB, 3V via edge connector or battery pack | 5V via micro USB, 3V via edge connector or battery pack, LED power indicator, Power off(push and hold power button) |
| Current avaliable | 90 mA avaliable for accessories | 200 mA avaliable for accessories |
| Motion sensor | ST LSM 303 | ST LSM 303 |
| Software | C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch | C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch |
Now the new version of micro: bit V2 is available to pre-order at Seeed. Orders will be shipped from Mid November 2020.
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