Which demo would you like to evaluate the new Freescale Arduino Freedom (ARM Cortex-M0+) ?

The main reason I like Arduino right now is because of all the libraries and code samples that are available, along with the easy to use programming platform. I prefer to avoid cryptic bitwise operations and hard to remember special constant names.

I can't find much information about the Freescale Arduino Freedom board, but it sounds like your platform is designed to be easy to use (you mention drag/drop capability), so that's a key feature for me.

As for libraries, if the Freedom board is compatible with existing Arduino code, that would be ideal. In that case, a demo showing how to take any existing Arduino app and make it run on the Freedom board would really catch my attention.

In terms of demos that I would find most useful in evaluating the Freedom board, it would start with something super simple like this oomlout tutorial: http://www.oomlout.com/a/products/ardx/

And then continue on to something like the use of a 1602 LCD display like this: http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/LiquidCrystal

And maybe you can show the use of inexpensive wireless adapters like this: http://arduino.cc/playground/InterfacingWithHardware/Nrf24L01

Support for inexpensive and easy to find components like that are important to me.

I've had my eyes on Arduino-based quad-copters for a while too, so a demo that builds a quad copter run by the Freedom board would be very interesting.

And if you really want to get everyone's attention, show it using an iPod display (ie, the $20 replacement screens).

On that note, connection to Android and iPhone/iPod/iPad is very useful too.

Hope that helps, and that I understood the question correctly hehe.

Cheers,

-Nico

Hello Nico

Thank you for your complete and interesting answer.

I agree with you, to be successfull, Freescale Freedom must be compatible with existing Arduino shield, not just for the mechanical aspect but also from the firmware point of view.

I am now investigating to get a list of recommanded shield for Freedom.

Concerning shield drivers and existing Arduino code, they will need some modification to run on the Freescale KL25 embedded in Freedom ,but we expect to have some tutorial available and some updated software shared by the community of users ...

Processor Expert (available independently or embedded in CodeWarrior 10.3) might be an additional tool to generate easily code example runing on Freescale Freedom/KL25 thanks to its Graphical interface and its component library.

I found this interesting blog where an user involved in Freescale Development (and also teacher at the University) details how he ported FreeRTOS on the Freescale Kinetis-L and how he downloads it on Freedom thanks to Processor Expert and a preconfigured Component (PEupd file).

I have also already seen a simple "LED Color Changing" project similar to the oomlout one runing on Freedom and I expect that additional project examples will be available soon.

I will keep you informed of any new software available for Freedom

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the extra information. I'll check that out.

I followed your links which allowed me to find the element14 information for the freedom boards (for some reason the links in your first post don't work for me).

For those interested who may have run into the same issue as me, here is all the information: http://www.element14.com/freedomboard

I'm very impressed at the price point: at $12.95 it easily rivals the price of the Arduinos and gives much more capability.

Plus, anything under $20 avoids import taxes for Canada, which can save a bundle if shippers like UPS get involved.

I find it a major weakness of the Arduino platform that their easy software and libraries will only work with the ATMega chips. There are so many great alternatives out there nowadays. It would be great if Freescale could work with the Arduino team to add the freedom board as one of the options in the list. My feeling is that Arduino will be a thing of the past as soon as a company like Freescale or Texas Instruments builds an easy interface and provides all the little hardware libraries so that a newbie can plug it in and be happily creating things within minutes.

Another possible option is for Freescale to create a new easy solution like an Eclipse plugin that simplifies things. Or just hire a developer (even just part time) whose sole mission is to build header files, libraries, and examples that makes it easy for people to use the new board.

I have to admit that even with all my years of developing software (much of it in C, including a few years of firmware), I still prefer the easy-to-use Arduino over the MSP430, the Amicus18, and the Freescale XL-Star boards I have - it's just so much easier to quickly slap a few things together.

I'm looking forward to hearing more about this board as it hits the markets in a few short weeks!

Cheers,

-Nico