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The best robotics kits for beginners
By Signe Brewster This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After spending 35 hours researching and testing seven of the best kits for learning robotics, we found the Lego Boost to be the best kit for most beginners. With its Lego-based design, built-in sensors, and the most expansive set of options for creativity and personalization, it was the most fun to build with. And the streamlined tablet app's user-friendly instructions and super-simple programming made it the easiest to learn of any of the kits we tried.
Bungie files trademark apps for Glimmer, Fallen, Hive, Cabal, Vex
Bungie is on the hunt for intellectual property, filing trademark applications for five ideas: Glimmer, Fallen, Hive, Cabal and Vex. Filed on March 11 and spotted by Gamespot, each word seeks protection for a range of products, including video games, novels (graphic and classic), Halloween costumes, clothing, action figures, television and movies.Bungie, of course, is working on Destiny, a persistent-world console shooter with RPG elements. Destiny will come to the PlayStation 4 alongside the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, sometime not in 2013.
Skype Access expands, now unlocks over 500,000 hotspots
We can't all have 3G or 4G wireless wherever -- sometimes we need to get friendly with a plain 'ol hotspot. Skype is making that a little easier, expanding Skype Access in partnership with eight international WiFi pushers: BT Openzone Fon M3 Connect Row 44 Skyrove Spectrum Interactive Tomizone Vex Fon will probably be the most familiar if you're in America, but combined the program covers 500,000 hotspots, including 500 hotels. Users will be able to pay for WiFi by the minute using Skype Credit, with prices ranging from a nickel to $.19 per currently. No word on whether that will be changing with this new announcement.
Innovation First intros VEX RCR Mini, WiFi control system
Innovation First sure looks to be keeping up a steady pace with its VEX robotics system, with the company now following up its recently released ROBOTC programming kit with its new VEX RCR Mini kit and a new WiFi control system. The former, as you've no doubt surmised, is a smaller and less expensive version of Innovation's standard VEX system, which it thinks will be particularly appealing to students from elementary school on up. The VEX WiFi Control System, on the other hand, will apparently work with all VEX robots, and somewhat ominously, allows for "simultaneous operation of hundreds of robots wirelessly." No word on a price or exact release date for the WiFi system just yet, but you can look for the VEX RCR Mini to be available this August for "less than $100." [Warning: PDF Link][Via Gizmag]
Innovation First rolls out ROBOTC programming kit for VEX robots
We haven't heard much about the Carnegie Mellon-developed ROBOTC programming language since it went into beta testing way back when, but it looks like the kinks have finally been worked out -- at least to the satisfaction of Innovation First, which has just rolled out a ROBOTC programming kit for its VEX robots. Among other things, it'll let users write programs that allow robots to perform several tasks independently, and it'll give them the ability to start, stop and pause the execution of a program directly from their computers. If that sounds like the upgrade you've been waiting for, you can grab the basic kit now for $100 even, or get a twelve seat multi-license for a comparative bargain of $315.
Revell, Innovation First partner for new Vex Robotics System
Given that nations worldwide are arming themselves to the teeth with these silicon-based life forms, it only makes sense that the citizenry will need widespread and cheaper access to robot parts. Thankfully, we just found out that Revell, the big name behind a lot of R/C and other plastic model kits, is partnering with Innovation First to create the next Vex Robotics System. According to the press release, IF will retain technical design, engineering development and manufacturing, while Revell will bring its sales, marketing and distribution talents to the table -- their powers combined will surely create the Transformers of hobbyist companies. Maybe this deal means that the Engadget robot army will finally get built just a little bit faster.
