We have all heard it before. Heck I have even said it. Just because you don't get selected as a Sponsored competitor in a Design Challenge it doesn't mean you can't compete. If you have an idea and you want to see it through to the end, go for it!
Well with the release of the latest Raspberry Pi 3b+ and this latest Bluetooth Unleashed Design Challenge I thought what a great way to take the two and combine them.
Sadly I held off on applying for the Roadtest of the Raspberry Pi 3b+ since I wanted to see if I was going to be selected for the Design Challenge, by the time the names were released the Roadtest had already been long past the date for submission.
This is what happens when Element 14 comes up with a great Design Challenge and so many people submit intriguing and interesting ideas!
This last weekend I went on another 600+ mile road trip to take care of my Father's estate and I am hoping we have now reached a point where things are being handled and I can now stay in my own State! So more time to look at this Design Challenge!
Okay to verify, from the Terms and Conditions page:
Interested in joining the Challengers? You can do it as a non-sponsored Challenger! Here's how:
Even if you aren't a sponsored Challenger, you can still participate in the Design Challenge! Follow the Terms and Conditions, integrate Bluetooth and one of the Hero Boards into your design, and post 10 blogs about your design journey in the Bluetooth Unleashed Design Challenge space (tagging your blogs 'Bluetooth Unleashed Design Challenge') and you'll be eligible to win the awesome prizes.
Alright, this sounds like something that could be done.
What does being Sponsored really mean?
From the About the Challenge Page:
The Bluetooth Design Challenge will choose 20 sponsored challengers to receive one of our 10 Hero Boards and Power it up with a $150 Shopping cart.
So you get 1 Hero Board and $150 of credit to apply toward items from your local E14 shop. Since you only "need" the 1 Hero board to compete that should be something we can swing. The extra $150 credit would be nice to add features that allow you to better compete with the 20 sponsored big boys/gals, but still with some creativity and rummaging hopefully you can pull a nice project together!
A little further down another mention of not needing to be Sponsored:
But anyone can join the Challenge as a non-sponsored Challenger.
Here's how: Choose one of our Hero Boards with Bluetooth and integrate them into your project, as well as post 10 blogs about your design journey in the Bluetooth Unleashed space Bluetooth Unleashed Design Challenge
Further down:
All Challengers must build their projects in accordance with the Challenge's Terms and Conditions. All projects must utilize Bluetooth and one of our 10 Hero Boards
Okay let's meet the Heroes!
- Cypress - PSOC 6 Pioneer Kit (CY8CKIT-062-BLE)Buy Now
- BBC - micro:bit Buy Now
- Redbear - Blend Arduino + BLEBuy Now
- NXP -FRDM-KW41ZBuy Now
- STM -NUCLEO-L073RZ and X-NUCLEO-idb05a1Buy Now
- BeagleBone - BeagleBone Black WirelessBuy Now
- Pycom - GPY Buy Now
- Raspberry Pi - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+Buy Now
- Samsung ARTIK - ARTIK 710 (SIP-KITNXE001)Buy Now
- Texas Instruments - CC2640R2 LaunchPadBuy Now
My plan calls for the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, so let's click on buy it now!
| |||
 Image is for illustrative purposes only. Please refer to product description | Manufacturer:RASPBERRY-PI Mfg Part No:RPI3-MODBP
Price:$35.00 (Price is before tax) | ||
| Core Architecture | ARM |
| Core Sub-Architecture | Cortex-A53 |
| Silicon Core Number | BCM2837B0 |
| Kit Contents | Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ |
| Product Range | - |
| Silicon Manufacturer | Broadcom |
| Silicon Family Name | BCM2xxx |
Well that slows me down a tad. Out of Stock. To be fair it is a pretty new item and out of the 10 Heroes only 2 are out of stock.
So I need to either A. come up with a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ some other way, or B. change my entire plan and go with another Hero...
What do you, the Reader, think I will do???
Ah some more mention of don't let not being Sponsored stop you:
Once the sponsored Challengers receive their chosen board and put together a shopping cart, they will then embark on their journey of designing an exciting and original project that uses the Bluetooth on their Hero Board. (NOTE: Even if you aren't a sponsored challenger, you can still participate in the Design Challenge as long as you follow with the Terms and Conditions, and integrate Bluetooth and one of the Hero Boards into your design.)
And even at the bottom of the page:
Interested in joining the Challenge? You can do it as a non-sponsored Challenger! Here's how:
Even if you aren't a sponsored challenger, you can still participate in the Design Challenge as long as you follow with the Terms and Conditions, integrate Bluetooth and one of the Hero Boards into your design, and post 10 blogs about your design journey in the Bluetooth Unleashed Design Challenge space (tagging your blogs 'Bluetooth Unleashed Design Challenge') and you'll be eligible to win the awesome prizes.
I am definitely seeing a suggestion for anyone to compete even if they are not one of the 20 Sponsored!
Well I a say, Sponsored? We don't need no stinking badges, err Sponsorship! :-)
So Stay Tuned as I progress down the role of the Non Sponsored path!
In the meantime, want to check out all of the Sponsored Challengers? Definitely worth looking into. I saw as of today at least 2 of the 20 have already put up their first blog to let you know what their plans are! Very exciting!
Remember, Sponsored or Non Sponsored, all competitors will be able to gain from the experience of the Element 14 Members as they read their blogs. Many members are very willing to assist and give suggestions. If you get stuck, blog about it and see what input is provided, you might be surprised.
In actuality, a Non Sponsored participant may actually have an advantage if they already have their desired Hero in hand or easy access to it. No waiting for delivery and exciting drama of customs!
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