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History of video games/Platforms/Kano Pixel

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  • A Kano Pixel device.
    A Kano Pixel device.

Introduction

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The Kano Pixel represents an interesting take on minimalism in a handheld device. The device is interesting in that the sorts of games on it are less constrained by its processing power, but by the limitations of other parts of its hardware instead. While not explicitly marketed as a console, the device does have a dedicated game function on its dial, and is commonly used for gaming, and is thusly included in this book.

History

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London in October 2012.
My absolute favorite
—Alex Klein, co-founder of the Kano computer company on the Kano Pixel, The Verge[1]

Kano got its start in 2013 selling educational computer kits out of London in the United Kingdom.[2][3]

The Kano Pixel kit was influenced by the previous Kano Powerup kit.[4] The device began crowdfunding on Kickstarter by October 2016.[4] The device was part of a trio of devices also including a camera and a speaker seeking to raise 500,000 collectively, though the Pixel specifically had an earlier a projected ship date of December 2016.[1][5] The release was pushed back to July 2017, reportedly due to a factory fire in addition to an issue with the antenna of the device.[6] By early August 2017 the device had definitely launched.[7]

The kit cost $99 on kickstarter with an estimated retail price of 129.99 for non backers,[5] though the price did eventually drop to $79.99 regularly.[8][7]

Technology

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You can make a game, for instance, whose parameters are controlled by the weather outside or whether Messi scored a goal or the density of mentions for a certain word on Twitter.
—Alex Klein, co-founder of the Kano computer company on the Kano Pixel, TechCrunch[9]

Kano got its start in 2013 selling educational computer kits.[10]

Compute

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The Kano Pixel uses an ESP-Wroom-32 SOC,[11] containing a 32-bit LX6 dual core CPU clocked at 240 megahertz.[12] The system has 520 kilobytes of SRAM.[12]

The system has 16 megabytes of flash storage.[12]

The Kano Pixel is programed using a visual programming language on an external device.[13]

Hardware

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The Pixel uses 128 RGB LEDs in a 16 by 8 matrix.[12][8] The LEDs can generate 16 million colors, and can be updated 30 times a second.[6][12]

The Kano Pixel has a radio for Wi-Fi on the 802.11n standard.[14][12] The device also has a Bluetooth radio,[11] though it appears to be unused.

The Pixel includes an omnidirectional MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) microphone.[7][12] The console includes a tilt sensor, gyroscope, and accelerometer.[7][6]

The Pixel is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery with a capacity of 1,550 mAh, lasting for about 3 hours of use.[12]

Games

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A version of Snake is built into the handheld.[7] As an educational device, most games are made by the user, rather then commercial releases.

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  •  
    The side of the Kano Pixel, showing additional IO.
  •  
    The red dial shows options.
  •  
    An ESP-WROOM-32 lies at the heart of the Kano Pixel.
  •  
    Kit packaging.

External Resources

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kano Pixel Kit

  • Kano - Website for the Kano Pixel Kit.

References

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  1. ↑ a b Vincent, James (27 September 2016). "Kano’s latest DIY tech kits let you assemble your own camera and speaker" (in en). The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/27/13055904/kano-camera-speaker-pixel-kit-kickstarter. 
  2. ↑ "Kano, The Beautiful DIY Computer, is Getting Camera, Speaker, and Pixel Board Kits" (in en-us). Wired. https://www.wired.com/2016/09/kano-beautiful-diy-computer-just-got-three-new-kits/. 
  3. ↑ O'Brien, Sara Ashley (11 December 2014). "DIY computer kit gives gift of coding". CNNMoney. https://money.cnn.com/2014/12/11/technology/kano-computer-kit/index.html. 
  4. ↑ a b Heathman, Amelia (6 October 2016). "Like a 'stylish Raspberry Pi': Kano kits put design at the heart of coding". Wired UK. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/stylish-raspberry-pi-design. 
  5. ↑ a b "The Camera, Speaker, & Pixel Kit: physical computing for all". Kickstarter. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  6. ↑ a b c Ranger, Steve. "Kano Pixel Kit review: This DIY lightboard is a friendly and fun intro to coding" (in en). ZDNet. https://www.zdnet.com/article/kano-pixel-kit-review-this-diy-lightboard-is-a-friendly-and-fun-intro-to-coding/. 
  7. ↑ a b c d e Miller, Paul (8 August 2017). "Kano's Pixel Kit is a fun way to learn how to code, but it needs to crash less" (in en). The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/8/8/16112766/kano-pixel-kit-kids-learn-to-code-review. 
  8. ↑ a b "Pixel Kit by Kano Learn to code with lights". kano.me. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  9. ↑ "Kano moves beyond Pi with code-your-own device kits for kids". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/27/kano-moves-beyond-pi-with-code-your-own-device-kits-for-kids/. 
  10. ↑ "Kano, The Beautiful DIY Computer, is Getting Camera, Speaker, and Pixel Board Kits" (in en-us). Wired. https://www.wired.com/2016/09/kano-beautiful-diy-computer-just-got-three-new-kits/. 
  11. ↑ a b "Kano Pixel Review". Maker Hacks. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  12. ↑ a b c d e f g h "Pixel Kit / Tech Specs". kano.me. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  13. ↑ "Kano's Pixel Kit is a charming introduction to coding" (in en). Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2017-07-14-kano-pixel-kit-learn-to-code-review.html. 
  14. ↑ "Do DIY Computer Kits Really Teach Kids About Coding?" (in en). Core77. https://www.core77.com/posts/67547/Do-DIY-Computer-Kits-Really-Teach-Kids-About-Coding. 


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