The creator behind a new coin-sized, Arduino-compatible board says the possibilities are endless with this microcomputer that can wirelessly connect to your smartphone.
The “RFduino” is an open-source, standalone board that's small enough to fit inside your projects, whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional engineer. The board runs a powerful ARM Cortex processor and can be powered by bench power supply, wall outlet, USB or coin cell battery.
The tiny RFduino is designed by electrical engineer Armen Kazanchian with Hermosa Beach, Calif.-based Open Source RF. He's raising funds on Kickstarter for a manufacturing run of the RFduino and for shield accessory boards.
Since the board is equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 and can talk to your iPhone, it allows your smartphone to read and measure physical objects. Kazanchian says you can do things like wirelessly monitor temperatures, remotely measure battery voltages, control multicolor LED lighting, drive LCD displays and play with iPhone-controlled RC cars running your Arduino sketches.
SEE ALSO: 6 Arduino Gadgets You Can Build at Home
Other practical uses could include setting up a makeshift alarm system, creating a drawer opener or figuring out when your plants need water -- meaning they don't necessarily have to tweet you anymore.
Even with 24 days left in the Kickstarter campaign, the project has already surpassed its $5,000 goal, reaching $15,728 by Monday afternoon.