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Microsoft seem to be giving away Intel Galileo boards

crosseyejack

Windows on Devices

 

While they don't explicitly state the "dev kit" they will be issuing they picture the Intel Galileo board and say "Development hardware like the Intel Galileo board..." might suggest you will get the Galileo which is software and pin compatible with the Arduino Uno R3 but will run a headless version of windows (Atleast it can't BSOD if there is no monitor).

 

Just thought you might want to know and maybe check it out.

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  • in reply to michaelwylie

    Michael Wylie wrote:

     

    Check out:

    http://microsoft-news.com/sign-up-for-microsofts-windows-on-devices-iot-developer-program-to-get-a-free-intel-galileo-board/

     

    Seems legit.

    I wonder what the SDK consists of.  The Microsoft news release, dated 6 July 2014, states:

    Our first SDK release in the spring of 2014 will give you a chance to look at our new software, including an incomplete prerelease of our software and API surface.

     

    That's rather different from saying that the SDK can be used to create useful software.  I'll be interested in reading what people say when they actually receive something from MS.

     

    JMO/YMMV: The impression I'm getting from the MS news release is "OMG we're going to be left out of the Internet of Digital Things so we'd better do something".  Perhaps giving away boards is primarily to determine the level of interest.  If it's high enough, they'll throw together enough SDK to be useful and then "Bob's" your uncle.

  • in reply to johnbeetem

    I don't know John. I went to the first two Build events and Windows 8 when they announced it had a fair amount of sensor manipulation available for things like phones and tablets. Since the galileo board is still x86 based they were probably able to reuse a fair bit of that. I'm sure this won't be a bare metal board, it will run some version of windows that they'll provide and as long as the device drivers are there the SDK should work. I suspect that they are a lot farther along than we think they are.

     

    The first year I went to build they gave all attendees a Samsung touchscreen tablet. The second year they gave us all surface tablets and a nokia phone. They really want people developing on windows and using their tools. And they really want people building apps for their store.

     

    They have quite a few programs for small companies/developers and they spend bunches of money trying to get people on board. These dev boards are a drop in the bucket for them.

     

    My opinion,

    Mike

  • in reply to mconners

    I got similar response.

    Looking at the number they want to give to universities, I see it as only a matter of waiting.

     

    I thought I read they had a version of the Arduino IDE, (similar to Chipkit and Digispark), but unlike Arduino I'm picking it only works on Windows.

     

    Mark

    I like those giveaways.

  • in reply to mcb1

    mcb1 wrote:

    I thought I read they had a version of the Arduino IDE, (similar to Chipkit and Digispark), but unlike Arduino I'm picking it only works on Windows.

     

    I would suspect the IDE will be one of the Visual Studio express editions. Which will only work on windows.

     

    Microsoft has come a long way in the last few years. Guys like Scott Hanselman and Scott Guthrie have really pushed for more openness with the company's software. The have open sourced a number of their products and SDKs.

     

    They still have a way to go, and I'm not sure all the leadership is convinced, but I give them credit for attempting. You can even get Linux instances in their cloud environment.

     

    Mike

  • in reply to mconners

    I see there was a thread about it on the Edinburgh Hacklab list, seems you generally sign your life away with name address and big Eula and they will send you it (maybe)

  • in reply to Problemchild

    seems you generally sign your life away with name address and big Eula and they will send you it (maybe)

     

    They actually want your first born .. I used your name, so don't be surprised when the big MS van comes to the door ... they're collecting not delivering.  image

     

    I did note they were aiming to drop 50 into 1000 universities, but had only achieved 600 (or was it 400).

     

     

    I think Mike is probably right with the integration into one of the existing products.

    Time will tell and John might get a nice place in MS headquarters.

     

    mark

  • in reply to mcb1

    Hi Mark,

     

    I was on the Intel site yesterday and I saw where they are using the Arduino IDE for the Galileo. So you were right about that, but I still think MS will have something else up their sleeve.

     

    I never really know with them. Whether they are trying to be mysterious, or if they don't really have a plan. Time will tell.

     

    Mike

  • in reply to mconners

    Mike

    If I recall there was an extension or something to add to one of their products.

    I added it so long ago, and it complains about an updated version .... but I've never used it (and can't remember which one)

     

    They asked some strange questions about the software

    image

     

    I liked your thought about it being added to code composer, but in reality if you want high mileage from various revenue streams (buyers) then making it similar to the existing IDE gets the best bang for your buck.

    It also means portability for existing code ..... but then again maybe the earth is flat.

     

    Being late in the game doesn't necessary mean you lose, it does ensure your R&D component is reduced, since the others have sorted out most of it for you.

    The smart bit is offering it free to universities so that EE have already experienced it a high percentage are likely to continue (at least for a while).

     

    I'm more than happy to review one and can offer that in all likelihood it would end up in the magazine. (You have my details Mr Microsoft .. and John won't be a problem image)

     

    Mark

  • in reply to mcb1

    "about it being added to code composer"

     

    I think you are getting your wires crossed here - Code Composer is TI's all embracing IDE. Microsoft have Visual Studio. VS is actually pretty good .

     

    My guess is that MS will be offering some kind of version of Windows CE tuned even more for small devices which aren't phones  (IOT if you must !!) . If it's compatible with .net and big Windows that might be quite a good offering. A lot of people find C# a much better OOPL than C++. As tiny devices become more capable it becomes possible to run a big OS on them. It would certainly be convenient to write and test code on my desk top PC and then be able to run it on a sub £25 platform.

     

    MK

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    MK,

     

    I agree with you. I was definitely thinking it will be an SDK available through Visual Studio.

     

    Mike

  • in reply to mcb1

    mcb1 wrote:

    They actually want your first born .. I used your name, so don't be surprised when the big MS van comes to the door ... they're collecting not delivering. 

     

    OMG - my first born is grown up and now lives in Australia. What will happen to me when the big MS van comes to my door in England??

     

    Neil

Reply
  • in reply to mcb1

    mcb1 wrote:

    They actually want your first born .. I used your name, so don't be surprised when the big MS van comes to the door ... they're collecting not delivering. 

     

    OMG - my first born is grown up and now lives in Australia. What will happen to me when the big MS van comes to my door in England??

     

    Neil

Children