Doesn’t Cyber Monday sound like a day of remembrance for all of those that fought the good fight online, in the comments sections, forums, and message boards throughout cyberspace? Or a day where we all, regardless of our training and interests, do something techie? Given all of the chaos associated with Black Friday, that first metaphor may unfortunately have a lick of truth in it. The second though, is more apropos. On Cyber Monday we indeed do something techie--we shop for discounted electronics. littleBits, maker of an open source library of electronic modules known as “Bits” and the company Bloomberg TV called “LEGO for the iPad generation,” is discounting its wares up to 30% for this year’s shopping holiday. Perhaps this year Cyber Monday will be the day to build things with those tiny Bits. Or to hold a requiem for the term “cyberspace.” Here’s a list of five potential uses for littleBits modules.1) Dress flashier. Literally.
The Dino Hoodie, a design that comes straight from littleBits itself, is a fashion item surely inspired by Jurassic Park and Tron. Created using four Bits modules, a hoodie, and a needle (to sew the light wire to the hoodie), the Dino Hoodie is a great prototype for glowing clothing, and should even appeal to those who don’t have a penchant for prehistoric detailing. Urban cyclists, ravers, concertgoers and New Year’s Eve partiers might find the Dino Hoodie paired with Stomping Shoes (for the light-up sneaker aficionados) a fun outfit that increases visibility.2. Create something funky out of, say, a tissue paper holder.Did I mention there’s no need for soldering or wiring? littleBits modules snap together magnetically, so one can spend her or his time crafting instead of attaching. The projects listed on littleBits’ site are quirky and easy to make. There are also tutorials for most of the projects listed, sourced by the company and their community of contributors.3. Teach kids (or yourself) basic electronic circuitry.
Ayah Bdeir, littleBits founder and CEO, as well as a TED Senior Fellow, gave a TED talk last March about innovation and the educational merits of littleBits modules. With more than 29 modules and 50 in the making (according to the company), the configurations are seemingly endless, as are the creative ways to teach super-simple electronic circuitry. Luckily for those of us who aren’t savvy with electronics, much less the theory behind circuit-building, littleBits includes detailed instructions and definitions for each of their modules. Check out educational resources and design challenges for educators here.4. Start a band.(Comedian and musician Reggie Watts, an inveterate showman, is known for his loop pedal performances. In the promo video shown below, Watts jams with the Synth Kit and freestyles a song.)You know the little light that is said to go off when someone has a good idea? Well, users of the new littleBits/KORG Synth Kit may soon blink green, orange, pink and blue lights overhead after exploring the color-coded Synth Kit. The Synth Kit, as a beat making and synth-building tool, is designed to be attractive to seasoned musicians and newbies alike, thus democratizing music making (for those who can afford it). Aside from the analogue synthesizer, folks can construct the more complex Keytar, an improvised guitar, and Percussion Party, a simple drum kit, in addition to instruments of their own design. Let’s see how long it will take a Brooklyn band to utilize all the littleBits instruments, release a project, and then pioneer a festival featuring themselves and Reggie Watts. Now that’s a colorful idea. Check out the Synth Kit when it’s released on December 6th for $159 on littleBits’s website and in select specialty stores. It’s available for pre-order now.5. Jumpstart your inventing career.In its mission statement, littleBits states that it wants to “make everyone into an inventor.” Given that littleBits’s designs are open source, that notion is certainly credible. Suggest your dream modules on the dreamBits forum. Go on, innovate!
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