Micro:bit APP for Android

The Micro:bit app for android is not compatible for all devices however it appears that its only key limitation is the device must have Bluetooth 4 and must be android 4.42 or higher.

I have been able to backup the app and successfully side load it onto my ASUS ME176.  A copy of version 1.50 of the app is available to download here.  (The App is copyright BBC and Samsung and is only made available to support use of the Micro:bit on devices wrongly coming up as incompatible by Google Play.  The app has not been modified in any way)

To install just make sure you have install from other sources enabled on your device.

Devices tested on

• Nexus 7 2012 edition
• ASUS MEMO 7 ME176
• ASUS MEMO 8 ME181
• Galaxy S5
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 4

Lost Bluetooth Connection

• If you have transferred a hex file via usb this erases the pairing and you will need to re-pair.
• Bluetooth connection is not compatible with Python.  If you have a program written in python on your Micro:bit you will need to flash it with a Block, Code Kingdom or Touch Development first.

Using wifi to transmit data in CPP

• You cannot run the Radio component while BLE is running - to use the radio disable the BLE Stack in the Microbit-dal located  at  inc\ core\MicroBitConfig.h - find the line #define MICROBIT_BLE_ENABLED 1 and set it to 0

Using Serial UART Windows PC

• This runs out of the box on a Mac or Linux box but Windows needs a driver.  This is the one as of 12/5/16 (driver).  Using Putty to receive the data on Windows is also my preferred option.  Putty is free and runs from an exe so no install that ICT techs might get twitchy over.

Want to do more with Blocks

• Microsoft PXT Programmable Experience Toolkit is a feature rich version of their block editor.
• https://m.pxt.io/

Allowing Micro:bits in school

• In my school all USB devices are encrypted by default which meant we couldn’t use the micro:bits.  However we quickly discovered that they all have the same Hardware ID.  So a quick and simple fix for us was to block all usb devices in the IT rooms and then use the GPO to create a white list, this included all mice and keyboard (can be done by class) and an exemption for the micro:bit ID.  This has worked perfectly.  Contact me if you’d like more info

Streaming to Azure

• To do this you will need to be working in chrome.  Download the Chrome Microbit extension  and either install Microsoft Power Query if you are running Office 2013 or use Office 2016 which has Power Query Built in.
• I had lots of problems with the COM port detection but changing ports and reconnecting seem to do the trick.

Persistent Storage using Python

• To store and keep files on your micro:bit so they are still there after you power cycle you will need to use the extra facilities that Mu gives you access to.  Once you have the files on your Micro:bit you will need to use the tools within MicroFS to access the files.  As of 20/6/16 there is no way to directly access the files you have saved via a Windows based GUI but the author of MicroFS is currently developing a tool and this will be linked to as soon as it is available.
• Quick tutorial for MicroFs uploaded to the microbitsandbobs Youtube Playlist

Hints & Tips