Raspberry Pi—The $25 Computer

Last week I described the Universal translator, which used two of these computers. Powered by a USB port, it has other ports for video display, storage and other great stuff.

The really amazing part is that this working computer is only $25 plus shipping. There is a huge back-order for them, but some people are inventing creative ways to use this computer.

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Some people are using them to feed their animals, create demonstrations or music boxes. Here's the link:

http://www.raspberrypi.org/

Others are busy creating containers for these tiny computers

Here's my favorite so far.

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What new use for this mini-computer will you discover?
     Posted By: gdanea - Mon Apr 29, 2013
     Category: Futurism





Comments
There are lots of similar boards coming out of China these days. Newer ARM chips have more oomph than the Pi, especially with multiple cores. Here's one with a SATA disk interface, $49: cubieboard.org
https://cubieboard.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/cubieboard-1gb
IMHO this is one reason the traditional PC market is taking a swan dive. See Beaglebone Black, Pandaboard, Odroid, many others. Almost all support linux & android.
Posted by Roland on 04/29/13 at 11:52 AM
Speaking of which, have you seen what's being done with Arduino? Got plans to use a drone to attack that guy down the street? You know, the one who gets rid of his garbage with a catapult, a la Al Bundy? If so, you're gonna need an autopilot: http://www.diydrones.com/notes/ArduPilot
Posted by Roland on 04/29/13 at 12:56 PM
Funny you should mention the Arduino - there is an article in Model Railroader magazine for applying one to automating switch motor operations. First time I'd heard of one although I did know of projects for single chip full-tilt computing equipment on teensy-weensy boards. (Just had to get that technical term in there.)

If it seems that computers / robotics are going to replace mankind keep in mind that you can always pull the power plug.
Posted by KDP on 04/29/13 at 03:39 PM
I bought one of these and currently have it running Linux with a wireless N adapter and controlling several security cameras over my home network using a Netgear ProSafe 24 gigabit port switch. It records video to a PC via scheduling or sensor activation.

My biggest concern is that these and other similar items aren't used by terrorists to program IUD's etc.
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 04/29/13 at 05:31 PM
LOL .. I meant IED's .. shows you where my mind spends most of it's time.
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 04/29/13 at 05:32 PM
Are powered IUDs available?
Posted by KDP on 04/29/13 at 05:41 PM
Ask Patty.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 04/29/13 at 11:33 PM
So out of curiousity I googled "remote control iud" and got the strangest mix, including "Male Contraceptive Implant is Remote Controlled":
http://contraceptivereviewer.com/male-contraceptive-implant-is-remote-controlled
but the site is down. I wonder how you get that job.
Posted by Inquiring Mind on 04/30/13 at 12:52 AM
this is not even news- it's ancient- and it's certainly not weird. Vet you entries for this awesome blog!!
Posted by mikeUK on 04/30/13 at 04:21 AM
Bacon isn't new and it's certainly not weird but we here hat WU celebrate it whenever we can. And, what's a better desert after a pound of crisp bacon than a little pi?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 04/30/13 at 05:29 AM
Agree with Expat47. And I think it's kinda weird that some people feed their pets via a little computer. Now you don't even have to interact with the animals you seem to share a house with. 😏
The application in a small ranch or dairy would be a real time (and back)saver tho.
Posted by EvilSpaceLordMang on 04/30/13 at 01:49 PM
There is only one thing that I allow to explode in my vagina!
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 04/30/13 at 11:13 PM
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