Read the full article on MAKE

Read the full article on MAKE

Read the full article on MAKE

Read the full article on MAKE

Read the full article on MAKE

Are you interested in starting out with Arduino but don’t know which kit to get? Check out the Microcontroller Quick Launch Pack from the Maker Shed! It’s the perfect “in between” kit for Arduino. This bundle includes a few more components than the Getting Started with Arduino Kit (like a Maker Shield) but not nearly as many as the Ultimate Microcontroller Pack (making it cost less.) So if you have been stuck “in-between” kits for a while, you’ve found the solution!

Pack Includes:

• Arduino Uno Rev. 3
• Maker Shield
• Mintronics Survival Pack
• Jumper Wires
• Transparent Solderless Breadboard
• Getting Started with Arduino 2nd Edition PDF

This unassuming little board can give your project the power of speech! Parallax’s new Emic 2 Text-to-Speech Module (now available in the Maker Shed) is an easy to use speech synthesis board capable of speaking both English and Spanish. You simply pass it text or numbers over serial and it converts them into a natural sounding voice. Project possibilities include talking GPS units, clocks, thermometers, timers, or giving your robot a voice. You can even have it read your e-mail or twitter feeds! It’s easy to hook up to an Arduino, runs on 5V, and only uses up two data pins for serial communication. Just plug in a speaker and you’ll have your projects talking in no time.

Features:

• High-quality speech synthesis for English and Spanish languages
• Nine pre-defined voice styles comprising male, female, and child
• Dynamic control of speech and voice characteristics, including pitch, speaking rate, and word emphasis
• Industry-standard DECtalk text-to-speech synthesizer engine (5.0.E1)

The MintDuino Game Pack provides a fun and informative way to learn about the world of Arduino compatible microcontrollers. This exclusive Maker Shed kit combines the Mintronics: MintDuino, Mintronics: Survival Pack, and the MintDuino book to give you all the necessary parts and instructions to create your very own 2-player reaction game. Even if you’ve never dabbled in electronics have no idea how to program, the MintDuino Game Pack will give you a firm foundation with Arduino and the confidence and ability to create your very own projects!

Using book as your guide and the included components you will:

• Build the Mintduino and see first hand the relationship between the wires, capacitors, resistors and integrated circuits that come together to create an Arduino compatible microcontroller.
• Learn how how to create basic circuits and program your microcontroller to blink an LED.
• Discover how to use of the random() function to blink the LED unpredictably.
• Interact with your MintDuino by using buttons as inputs.
• Combine your skills to build a two player reaction based game you can play with your friends!

Features

• MintDuino Maker Press book by James Kelly & Marc de Vinck
• Mintronics: Survival Pack
• Mintronics: MintDuino
• FTDI Friend
• Deluxe Jumper wire pack
• 1/2 size Breadboard
• USB cable
• Requires 9V battery
• No soldering required!

You’ve probably heard about NFC but what is it, you ask? NFC (Near Field Communication) is an extension of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) but with a purposefully decreased range. I know, why would you want LESS range? Mostly for security. You see, it’s common to think that RFID tags need to be right next to a reader before they register. In lots of cases this is true, but you can “shoot” a radio signal at an RFID tag or purchase a long range scanner to read it if from a distance. Since NFC is limited to a maximum of around 4 inches, it’s much more difficult for anyone to get your information without you knowing. This makes it a great technology to use for touch-less payment, door entry, or anywhere else that security is a consideration.

This NFC Shield for Arduino (available in the Maker Shed) is a great way to experiment with NFC and other 13.56MHZ RFID applications. The shield can be used it to not only read tags, but to write them as well. It can even “act” as an NFC tag for bi-directional communication with NFC equipped cell phones and tablets. The NFC Shield uses I2C or SPI for communication to minimize pin usage, and the antenna design improves reception and allows you to stack shields on top of it. The kit includes header pins (a little soldering required) and one writable MiFare 1k 13.56 MHZ NFC card. Since one card isn’t too much fun, we also have an assortment pack of 6 writable, 1KB tags available.

For Maker Camp, our virtual summer camp for teens, most of the materials for the projects use common household items, others, such as the Compressed Air Rocket Kit in the picture, can be purchased in the Maker Shed.

To celebrate the launch of Maker Camp, the Maker Shed is offering free shipping on all orders over $50! Just use coupon code MAKERCAMP upon checkout to get the deal. It’s the perfect way to stock up on camp supplies or to take your new found skills to the next level. With everything from Arduino, to guitar kits, to tools, the Maker Shed has something for every maker.

Want to attend Maker Camp? It’s easy and free, just follow MAKE on Google+!