A new version of the Raspberry Pi has been unveiled, featuring double the amount of memory but for the same 29.95 price tag.
The Model B variety will now come with 512MB instead of 256MB. The extra memory will allow the computer to run Android 4.0 as an operating system.
"The extra memory also enables higher performance applications and services - there is real potential to do things like add a touch screen, then a power back and suddenly the Pi becomes mobile," said Mike Buffham, global head of EDE for Premier Farnell, one of the companies who manufacture the hobbyist PC.
Foundation founder and trustee Eben Upton made the announcement about the upgrade on the Raspberry Pi blog this week.
He said that one of the most common suggestions since the launch was for the foundation to produce a more expensive "Model C" version of the Raspberry Pi.
"This would be useful for people who want to use the Pi as a general-purpose computer, with multiple large applications running concurrently," he wrote. "[It] would enable some interesting embedded use cases (particularly using Java) which are slightly too heavyweight to fit comfortably in 256MB," he said.
He said that the foundation wanted to maintain the low price tag, so worked with RS Components and element14/Premier Farnell to upgrade the memory on the Model B computer. He added that all pending orders for the Model B are being filled with the upgrade.
"If you have an outstanding order with either distributor, you will receive the upgraded device in place of the 256MB version you ordered," he said.
People who receive the new upgraded version of the Raspberry Pi can download the updated firmware from Raspberry Pi.
The new Raspberry Pi 512MB board along with a range of exclusive new Raspberry Pi accessories will be demonstrated by element14 at Electronica in Munich from 13-16 November.
-
Hybrid cloud has hit the mainstream – but firms are still confused about costsNews How do you know if it's a good investment if you don't have full spending visibility?
-
An executive suggested laid off staff use AI for counseling – I think that's ludicrousOpinion In the aftermath of Microsoft layoffs, promoting AI career advice feels supremely cold
-
Arm acquires stake in Raspberry Pi in bid to drive IoT developmentNews The deal confirms a long-standing Raspberry Pi commitment to Arm chips
-
Raspberry Pi 5: New model is “2-3 times more powerful” than previous generationNews The new Raspberry Pi 5 will provide a “no-compromise user experience”, the firm said
-
Sony invests in Raspberry Pi to strengthen edge AI offering
News The move follows longstanding ties between the two firms
-
Return of the MacIn-depth Developer Jarosław Mazurkiewicz explains the creative process behind MacintoshPi and why he wanted to bring a classic Mac back to life
-
Raspberry Pi ten years on: Breathing new life into retro machinesIn-depth A full decade after the Raspberry Pi first hit shelves, the microcomputer is reviving older PCs and games consoles
-
The IT Pro Podcast: Turning developers into craftspeopleIT Pro Podcast Making software is about much more than pushing code, explains Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton
-
What is the Raspberry Pi Pico?In-depth Introducing the latest $4 member of the family of single-board microcomputers
-
Raspberry Pi 4 gets an official case fanNews The £4.50 fan will prevent the board's ARM Cortex-A72 processor from overheating
