Girls can learn to code with the help of this new smart keychain

cnet.com

3 points·imartin2k··5 comments

Cool point in the article:

"Palfi said users don't need to have to have a Charm to use the app, which is free. In addition, she said the company is working on hosting coding competitions where users can try and win a Charm. imagiLabs is also exploring working with companies to sponsor Charms for girls who might not be able to afford them."

I have to admit, I was a bit under-whelmed to learn the 'smart keychain' is basically a few addressable LEDs. Haven't Arduino and ras-pi had stuff like this for ages? A quick google search turns up tons of ras-pi stuff for kids, that seems more interesting...

The form factor looks interesting. Is this device easy to use? Is it compatible with Arduino? (I guess no, but it would be a good idea.) Does it has any sensors/buttons?

We bought our daughter an Arduino kit when she was young, and she played with it for a while. It has a few sensors, like a photo resistor for light, buttons to press and IIRC a temperature sensor.

We bough in the local store a 7-segment display and other small stuff that was not included. She made a few small projects, for example sensing the illumination and showing the number in 7-segment display.

OK but why does this even exist. Why would girls need something that costs $80 when they can an Ardiuino for $10 and learn how to solder at the same time. This just seems like pointless sexism to me.

Sexism.

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