Microsoft's Internet of Things starter Kit for Raspberry Pi 2 has run out of stock. The product is not available anymore, but the company has claimed to bring it back as soon as possible.
Microsoft has collaborated with Adafruit to develop the hardware for the Microsoft IoT Pack for Raspberry Pi 2. The starter kit includes Windows 10 compatible wires, sensors, electronic parts, and cables, and an SD card preloaded with Windows 10 IoT core as well. It enables organizations to start doing some popular projects, and build machines that can transmit data back to a database.
According to Microsoft, developers using this solution can write the code for their app within 190 minutes. This includes the time for setting up Raspberry Pi PC and the connected device, and writing the code for the application. However, if someone is only interested in Windows IoT Core, it can also be downloaded by joining the Windows Insider Program.
This is what´s inside the Microsoft-Adafruit Windows 10 IoT pack:
- Adafruit Raspberry Pi B+ Case – Smoke Base / Clear Top – We think it's the Single Greatest Raspberry Pi 2 Model B Case Ever – though our Pi Box Plus is also nothing to scoff at.
- Full Size Breadboard – In the past, we've used the half-size breadboard for a lot of Pi projects – but no longer! WIth 40 pins to break out, you're going to need some space – and that's why we're including a full size breadboard in this pack.
- Premium Male/Male Jumper Wires – 20 x 6″ (150mm) – These jumper wires are great for making wire harness or jumpering between headers on PCBs. We include the longer ones so they work well with the full-size breadboard.
- Premium Female/Male ‘Extension' Jumper Wires – 20×6″ – These jumper wires are handy equivalents of the male/male jumper wires – but with female connectors.
- Miniature WiFi Module – Official Raspberry Pi Edition – The fancy, official, and adorable WiFi Module, made by the Raspberry Pi foundation specifically for use with Raspberry Pi operating systems (and Windows 10).
- 5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ 6′ MicroUSB Cable – The 5V 2A power adapter is the perfect choice for powering your Raspberry Pi B+ with 2 Amps of current output, and an extra long cord.
- Assembled Adafruit BMP280 Temperature & Humidity sensor – The assembled verison of an Adafruit Instant Classic. This breakout board has a powerful BMP280 sensor from Bosh that's good for environmental, temperature, and barometric pressure sensing. This version comes with headers already soldered on.
- Assembled TCS34725 RGB Color Sensor – The assembled version of a longstanding Adafruit classic. This RGB Color Sensor with IR filter and White LED comes fully assembled – with headers already soldered on.
- MCP3008 – 8 Channel 10-Bit ADC With SPI Interface – Easy to use, SPI enabled chip that's perfect for adding 8 channels of 10-bit analog input to your microcontroller or microcomputer project.
- Ethernet Cable – 5 foot long – An ethernet cable.
- 8GB class 10 SD/MicroSD Memory Card w/ Windows 10 -IOT This SD card comes pre-loaded with all the Windows 10 goodies you can handle.
Microsoft and Adafruit Ties
The relationship between Microsoft and Adafruit has been a little quirky. Back in 2010, the open source hardware company offered a $2,000 bounty to any hacker who could write an open-source code for the Kinect, the motion sensing device for Xbox 360. Microsoft wasn't pleased from this, and replied unambiguously for safeguarding its products and services. But, despite this, Adafruit responded impishly and increased the bounty further by $1000.
Speculation goes around, the partnership between two companies is a sign of improving relations. But since a Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment on this, there is no real confirmation.
