The dog is pretty cute. The speakers have improved a lot.

Edited January 10, 201312 yr by Gekke Ted

I'm kind of wondering something: does the new P-brick have built in Bluetooth, or is that provided by attaching a separate dongle? If it is built in, one might be able to daisy chain older NXT bricks to the new ones, which would be quite helpful.

I'm kind of wondering something: does the new P-brick have built in Bluetooth, or is that provided by attaching a separate dongle? If it is built in, one might be able to daisy chain older NXT bricks to the new ones, which would be quite helpful.

I would be amazed if they have taken it out, it's not expensive to have and now it has direct support for IOS so I think this will be achieved with integrated not add on chips.

This might let me remove the only non-LEGO part in my pinball machine :)

@ Scorpion: You should read Conchas' extensive TechnicBRICKS article about the EV3 , where he wrote: "You may have read above, that the Eduction Kit comes with a Ball Wheel or (Caster Ball). Guess it might be the 92911 Technic Steering Ball Joint Large Receptacle with a stainless steel sphere inside as seen in the image below".

I'm kind of wondering something: does the new P-brick have built in Bluetooth, or is that provided by attaching a separate dongle? If it is built in, one might be able to daisy chain older NXT bricks to the new ones, which would be quite helpful.

The Bluetooth is indeed internal. No dongle required.

Edited January 10, 201312 yr by Gekke Ted

I cant wait to get one to!

I cant wait to get one to!

What took you so long? ;-)

Anything in particular you are looking out for? Or the whole shebang?

haha, Sorry I was trying to spread the word on Facebook etc as I am a MCP

I seen this stuff in person and it rocks. I hope to build something really big in the future that is EV3 powered!

I seen this stuff in person and it rocks.

And a stab in the back ouch

Just kidding, but I am a bit jealous. Although you know what you are missing and I'm still kind of ignorant. Can't wait to see what the community will do with the Linux based operating system.

Nobody at Lego noticing the strange shape under you shirt when you were sneaking one out?!

haha, sadly I dont have one yet. I feel they have done a really good job with the new product and solves some of the big issues. I think people are going to bring Mindstorms to a whole new level!

haha, sadly I dont have one yet. I feel they have done a really good job with the new product and solves some of the big issues. I think people are going to bring Mindstorms to a whole new level!

You being the first with "hands on" experience I am glad to hear you are enthusiastic about the new product.

At first glance, I was a bit disappointed, since I was hoping for more revolution than evolution. But at the end of the day we can be pretty satisfied with the decisions TLC made.

I just found where in July of 2011 I posted my suggestions for the 3.0 on the official lego messageboards: "Hey, guys. I have been reading the talk about a new generation of mindstorms. Here are my suggestions for Mindstorms 3.0 (LMS) :

1. 4 inch touchscreen

2. Built in cam on top

3. MicroSD card slot

4. USB slot

5. Android 2.2 OS

6. Mic

7. Better Speakers

8. ~600 lego pieces

9. G-sensor

10. Bluetooth connection from the LMS to sensors and motors

11. Wifi

Maybe you wonder why we need this stuff, and I have an answer to every

question of yours." Well, that was my post. They did #'s 3,4, 5 (Linux, so pretty much), 6,7,8, and 11! A 4-inch touchscreen would make the brick to big, the cam would probably be low quality, Linux will be better than android, 9-10 would be cool but EXPENSIVE.

You being the first with "hands on" experience I am glad to hear you are enthusiastic about the new product.

At first glance, I was a bit disappointed, since I was hoping for more revolution than evolution. But at the end of the day we can be pretty satisfied with the decisions TLC made.

For me, it has iOS support (i am a iOS dev), it has USB host support, and you can daisy chain them together, wifi support, 4 motor ports and a new motor. I mean thats pretty cool right there!!!!

This might let me remove the only non-LEGO part in my pinball machine :)

I doubt that ball is removable.

Oh, and exciting news. So Burf, did you see all the models? Or just some? If you saw Spik3r (the scorpion), what did you think of it?

I doubt that ball is removable.

Don't forget that the first time we saw that ball receptacle, it had a drive shaft running through it... so, you should be able to insert an axle from the other side and push the ball out.

For me, it has iOS support (i am a iOS dev), it has USB host support, and you can daisy chain them together, wifi support, 4 motor ports and a new motor. I mean thats pretty cool right there!!!!

I rest my case. Or your case...in this case

You are absolutely right. I am a developer as well (Java, C#, iOS), so I am really looking forward to the possibilities.

Any thoughts on daisy chaining? I am planning to buy two units, but I am still wondering which option daisy chaining will provide. Obviously they will communicate very well and probably share memory and/or storage space. But will a program on Brick1 will be able to control the motors and sensors on Brick2 directly or do you still need to send over messages?

Edited January 11, 201312 yr by Gekke Ted

Today I went to the FIRST Lego League Spokane Regional Qualifier at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA USA. There were 21 teams of 9-16 year old Robotics fans, and they liked seeing various YouTube videos and Product Information about the upcoming Lego Mindstorms EV3 set. Almost all of them had not heard about it yet, and watched ~25 minutes' worth of HD videos in a continuous loop on my computer:

I rest my case. Or your case...in this case

You are absolutely right. I am a developer as well (Java, C#, iOS), so I am really looking forward to the possibilities.

Any thoughts on daisy chaining? I am planning to buy two units, but I am still wondering which option daisy chaining will provide. Obviously they will communicate very well and probably share memory and/or storage space. But will a program on Brick1 will be able to control the motors and sensors on Brick2 directly or do you still need to send over messages?

The daisy chaining will be via the USB ports, up to 4 I have heard but not sure yet how it works, as soon as I have some I will let you know

NOOOOOO! They are becoming more mobile! They will have wait NOOOO THEY HAVE WEPOEONS THEY WILL SOON TAKE OVE!

Looks like you can now buy all things EV3-related off the Lego Education website, except for the retail kits! Link

Edited January 20, 201312 yr by Phoxtane

Looks like you can now buy all things EV3-related off the Lego Education website, except for the retail kits! Link

Well, it's just preorder...

True. Available for Fall Semester. Otherwise we should have founded a school

Social Media posted two RO-BOTICA YouTube videos about the Lego Mindstorms EV3's programming environment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRp-ZfYCBgM

"Strong software backwards NXT compatibility

=============================

With EV3, LEGO Education worked hard to create strong backwards compatibility:

- EV3 is based on the same Technic building system like the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT

- Reuse all of your bricks

- EV3 uses RJ12 connector cables just like LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT

- Reuse all of your sensors and actuators

- EV3 software can program the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT brick

- Use NXT and EV3 at the same time Reuse LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT sets together with LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3

- No investment lost

- Smooth transition

- Increased possibilities

PROGRAMMING

=============

Graphical Programming

•Easy to learn, use and understand

•Intuitive Drag and Drop programming

•From simple to complex programs"

Edited January 26, 201312 yr by DLuders

Thanks for the info.

Great to see it's fully compatible with the NXT, even being able to program it with the EV3 software.

That is good news on the backwards compatibility, I wonder if the new elements will work on the old NXT as well. I will not make the jump until there is a good c or java port for this brick, but would be nice to play with the new motors and sensors, guess the motors will be fine and once the specs are released for the sensors we should be able to use them in raw mode on the next so all will be well.