So I was just recently made aware of the MSP430 Launchpad kits which TI is offering up at a stunning $4.30 (limit 5 per person)

Token link for the lazy: https://estore.ti.com/Search.aspx?detail=1&k=MSP-EXP430G2

Figured I'd get a thread going so we can see what folks are playing and share ideas. I have 2 kits on the way myself and a know a few folks are already playing with them.

I'm a software guy at heart so I'm actually interested in the chip itself. Call me sick, but I thought it would be really fun to write an assembler for the thing in Java. Found the assembler details here: http://ece.wpi.edu/~wjlou/htmls/teaching/ECE2801-C11/dataSheets/EW430_AssemblerReference.pdf Aside from the need to flog myself, I think it would be fun to start a tool set that would allow folks to do real hacking and dev *from* a phone as opposed to only *to* a phone.

Aside from that, if you dig a bit, folks are doing some cool stuff with the line of chips, check this out: http://hackaday.com/2011/06/27/msp430-based-palm-size-quad-copter/

I stake this as the thread to chat about all things MSP430. Speak your mind.
Its no Arduino, but you can't beat the cost to start playing with one! If the main units are as cheap in bulk, I see lots of uses for smaller projects that don't need all the beef.

For those interested, here is a quick over view of some of the more mainstream development board out there:

http://hackaday.com/2011/02/01/what-dev ... rd-to-use/

Another neat MSP430 kit to look at is the usb stick version: https://estore.ti.com/EZ430-F2013-MSP43 ... -P800.aspx

I've received a few going to "MSP430" days at the local Arrow dealer. They are the size of a USB thumb drive.