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The Linker post for this Episode: Solving a Different Problem\xa0

ThingM's Tod Kurt (@todbot) joined us to talk about the most important part of every embedded system:\xa0blinking lights.

ThingM has been making\xa0I2C lights (BlinkM, MinM and MaxM) since 2006.\xa0

The newer, more productized\xa0USB light\xa0is the Blink(1)\xa0(there is a\xa0coupon near the end of the show). Blink(1) had\xa0two successful kickstarters (second one).

The BlinkMs have an ATTiny85\xa0(which is also on the Adafruit Trinket). The Blink(1)s have a PIC processor that is small, cheap, and supports USB quite well (PIC16F1455-I/ML\xa0and\xa0dev kit).

Other smart LEDs include WS28xx\xa0\xa0(aka NeoPixel) and\xa0APA102 (aka DotStar)

Seeed Studio was discussed as a way to get boards built, assembled, even housed. Elecia mentioned Tindie's new CM review site.

Tod is cofounder of Crash Space (@CrashSpaceLA), a Los Angeles based hackspace. They (including Tod)\xa0were on the short-lived Mythbusters-hosted Rube Goldberg devices show called Unchained Reaction.

Tod has worked on some neat art projects, including\xa0the Crystal Monster and the Cash Machine.

Tod's blog.

Speaking of blogs, Chris and Elecia are going to start writing after (podcast)\xa0action reports forElement 14. More announcements (and actual links) soon.

Don't forget the Chris Savage (Parallax) call for assistance!