mbed NXP LPC1768 free samples

[kek]

http://www.circuitcellar.com/nxpmbeddesignchallenge/

I've never tried these but they're giving away free kits.

[JohnS_AZ]

What the heck, I applied.

[Zad]

Thanks for the heads-up! I am using an LPC1765 in my current project, so this would be a handy development boost

[allanw]

Free $60 dev board? Hell yeah.

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9564

[mikeselectricstuff]

mbed online “Cloud” compiler

Why would anyone use an online compiler?
Their server or your net connection goes down just before you need to deliver a prototype to a client & you're completely screwed.
Ditto if they suddenly decide to 'fix' something that breaks your code..

And AFAICS there's no SWD/JTAG connector on the board -  just an interface to what looks like their own microcontroller programming interface - from comments I saw in their forum this appears to be is a proprietory closed interface.

If anyone in London wants to get more info there's a talk by someone from Mbed here tomorrow night.

[Nermash]

As doctors here say (used to taking bribe for work they do in state hospitals):

If it is free, it's not too expensive!

[DJPhil]

Good catch!
The siren song of microcontrollers grows stronger as I struggle to solidify my understanding of TTL. At this rate I'll have a dozen dev boards to learn by the time I'm ready to dive in. What the heck, it's free after all!

[scrat]

I applied too. Sometimes I wonder why some microcontroller companies don't give away free samples, dev kits or at least make very easy to start using their devices. I think this is the better way for advertising!

[mikeselectricstuff]

Manufacturers often do give free devkits to customers that they know are serious. Cheap devkits tend to be bought by hobbyists with little chance of leading to volume design-ins.
As a professional developer, I'd rather have a $50 devbourd I can get now, than a $4.30 0ne that the manufacturer can't keep up with the demand for. 

[scrat]

Manufacturers often do give free devkits to customers that they know are serious. Cheap devkits tend to be bought by hobbyists with little chance of leading to volume design-ins.
As a professional developer, I'd rather have a $50 devbourd I can get now, than a $4.30 0ne that the manufacturer can't keep up with the demand for. 

I understand your point of view, and I think I'd do the same if I were a professional on my own business, but many of the professionals have been students or hobbyists for a while, so if you catch them at that stage, it is possible that they stick to your product. Moreover, many small companies don't want to spend a dollar more for development tools, and so they tend to continue using a certain device family.

[Zad]

From what I read on Element-14 about Mbed boards, it is possible to use more conventional tools, they just need a bit of setting up. Be aware with these competitions that who they give boards to can be a bit arbitrary. I know in the past I have applied for Circuit Cellar freebies and they have miraculously had their stock allocated elsewhere. Understandably, they seem to give priority to US based people.

[Time]

They instantly told me I was approved for a kit and would be getting an e-mail cofirming shipment in no more than week.

Is this true for everyone?

[allanw]

I applied 12 hours ago and haven't gotten a response yet. Maybe it's because I put down my job title as "Student"

[Strube09]

They instantly told me I was approved for a kit and would be getting an e-mail cofirming shipment in no more than week.

Is this true for everyone?

I got the same thing.

[allanw]

Oh, is that the notice that you get immediately when you hit submit? Probably skipped over it.

[rossmoffett]

They instantly told me I was approved for a kit and would be getting an e-mail cofirming shipment in no more than week.

Is this true for everyone?

I got the same thing.. not a student.

[armandas]

Student/Non-US, got no confirmation.

[DJPhil]

I guess Unemployed/Retired with no company entry was a bad idea, nothing so far.
I'm in the US as well.

[Time]

It said that in my browser as soon as I registered.

I put Systems Engineer for a major multi-billion dollar US corporation - FTW

[Bored@Work]

It did honestly state my job title and employer. Usually that almost guarantees acceptance. But I guess putting down My deft floral arrangements have earned me fame in international botany circles as the reason why I should get one didn't went down well.

[Zad]

From what I remember after submitting the form it said something like "Your form has been accepted and a decision will be made inside a week" rather than being accepted outright.

[JohnS_AZ]

I got the same as Zad ... with a company and with a title. *shrug*

[rossmoffett]

From what I remember after submitting the form it said something like "Your form has been accepted and a decision will be made inside a week" rather than being accepted outright.

They instantly told me I was approved for a kit and would be getting an e-mail cofirming shipment in no more than week.

It was really a mix of the two.. I had the impression that they were checking to be sure you weren't a bot (hence the "describe why you should get this" field), then shipping the products directly.

[scrat]

They were clear: in no more then a week you will receive shipping confirmation, request has been accepted. So let's just wait...

[Time]

They were clear: in no more then a week you will receive shipping confirmation, request has been accepted. So let's just wait...

Thats exactly what I saw.