BBC and partners unveil the landmark BBC micro:bit

The BBC and partners unveiled the BBC micro:bit – a pocket-sized, codeable computer that allows children to get creative with technology. In the BBC’s most ambitious education initiative for 30 years, up to 1 million devices will be given to every 11 or 12 year old child in year 7 or equivalent across the UK, for free.

[gonzomuse]

Another great example of the kind of thing that wouldn't happen if the BBC was privately owned,

[raffitz]

Oh, man, I really want one of those, and it's been a while since I was in year 7.

[arricate]

I hope kids don't go chucking them in the bin... That would be a shame.

[JTutorials]

Kids won't be able to understand it though. All they'll be able to do is use it as a general purpose computer. Why do you think Microsoft is involved? I think they're involved because they know that kids won't be able to understand it. I mean that's how proprietary software survives (the inability to understand what's actually happening). They should be learning Arduino.