Raspberry Pi 3 Will Work with IoT
On March 1st, a new Raspberry Pi microprocessor was announced. Called the Pi 3 model B, this is priced at only $35, but has a 64 bit 1.2GHz quad core chipset. It also has 1GB RAM. This is a 50% increase over the Pi 2. The $35 price point is the same as the original Model B Pi when it came out. If you are unaware of what Raspberry Pi is, it is a very low cost, “credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse.” This allows users to learn to code in languages such as Python and Scratch. It can basically do many things a desktop can do, but at a much lower price. Obviously it can’t do everything, but it is great for users trying to learn to code as well as device manufacturers alike. The Pi 3 is said to give “even more possibilities for IoT and embedded projects” says Pi founder Eben Upton. This is because it comes with built in Bluetooth Low Energy and wireless capabilities making it perfect for the Internet of Things. The Pi 2 has an Ethernet connection and if makers wanted wireless capabilities, they would have to add a WiFi or Bluetooth dongle. This was not a hard task, but with the Pi 3, this makes device maker’s lives a lot easier. Therefore, the Pi 3 is being positioned as an IoT development solution.
Upton Stated “The two main things that people do with their Pi are use it as a PC replacement or use it as an embedded computer,” and also said “The Pi 3 is doubling down on both those things rather than going looking for new things to do.” Everything is now contained in one device. The Pi 2 v. Pi 3 can be compared to Bluetooth Smart v. Bluetooth when it comes to power management. The Pi 3 has improved power management and has a switched power source (up to 2.5 Amps). This allows for more powerful devices to be connected such as external USB devices. Like Bluetooth Smart, the Pi 3 uses a lot less energy than its predecessor. During the launch, the Foundation mentioned they are working closely with Microsoft. This is to make sure that Windows 10 IoT and the Pi 3 will be compatible. According to Upton, a “few hundred thousand” Pi 3 devices went on sale at the launch. You can watch the YouTube video released for the Pi 3 here. It gives a detailed, yet short description of the benefits of the Pi 3. Raspberry Pi 3 is a great innovation for both device makers and the common user alike. It will be great from an IoT standpoint. As you can see by the daily innovations in the world of IoT, this is not a trend and it is best to get ahead when it comes to an IoT solution before you fall behind.