Digi-Key Electronics, which currently offers the world's largest selection of in-stock electronic components and automation products for immediate shipping, and Make:, a publishing and network for makers, have released the updated Frame Guide report and augmented reality app Digi-Key AR, available on the Apple App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android-based mobile devices.
Divided into sections for microcontroller (MCU), single-board controller (SBC), and field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based boards, the guide helps students, makers, and professional engineers identify the latest technology available to help bringing innovation to life.
As a complement to this year's guide, Digi-Key has included an augmented reality app that uses the cameras, displays and sensors in today's mobile devices. With over 50 dashboards available in AR, the app is the best way to interact virtually with these leading platforms. The Digi-Key AR app is designed to work in conjunction with the guide or as a standalone experience.
With in-depth comparisons of over 150 boards, there's no better way to find the right solution for rapid prototyping and embedded design from leading vendors including Adafruit, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, SparkFun, BeagleBone, Micro:bit, Seeed Studio, DFRobot, Espressif , and more.
New to this year's guide is an article discussing the rise of the Raspberry Pi RP2040 and Espressif ESP32 during the chip shortage. The RP2040 is currently shipping around 500,000 units monthly.
Another exclusive available only on the app includes a video discussing in detail the details of the boards and the selection process from David Groom of Make:.
“We are excited to launch the new License Plate Guide within the Digi-Key AR app. Being able to scan the frames and see them up close in AR is an experience you have to see to appreciate,” said Kevin Walseth, technical marketing manager at Digi-Key. “The ability to rotate, zoom and see all angles of the new boards is a great visualization tool for students, creators and engineers who want to transform their projects from ideation to a useful design or project.”
PDF versions of the guide and links to download the Digi-Key AR app are available here.
“Make: Guide to Boards has been updated with detailed specifications for the 79 most popular microcontrollers, single-board computers, and FPGAs you can find. Whatever your project, if you need an MCU or SBC, check out our guide first to find out which is the most ideal and most available board to base it on,” said Groom, Make: Community Editor. “We've also covered top trends and put in place a dozen of our favorite notable new boards that you can see come to life on the page through the Digi-Key AR app, which also includes an exclusive video where I talk about each one."