Learn-to-code startup Kano[1], whose products aim to turn kids into digital makers, has taken the wraps off the latest incarnation of its build-it-yourself computer kit.
With the new flagship Kano is doubling down on touch interactions — urging kids to “make your own tablet”. The Computer Kit Touch packs a 10.1″ HD touchscreen, along with Kano’s now familiar bright orange wireless keyboard which comes with a built in trackpad.
While touch is becoming increasingly central to its products, Kano says the keyboard remains an important component of the product — supporting text-based coding apps which its platform also provides access to, as well as the more approachable drag-and-drop block-based coding systems that do really benefit from having a touchscreen to hand.
The kit, which Kano says is generally (but not exclusively) aimed at the 6-13 age range, is on sale from today, priced at $279.99 — via its website (Kano.me[2]), as well as from selected retailers and e-tailers.
The Raspberry Pi powered computer is also getting increased storage capacity in this upgrade — of 16GB. But the main refresh is around updating Kano OS, Kano’s kid-friendly Pi topper, with expanded support for touch controls, according to founder Alex Klein [3].
Last year Kano combined touch and keyboard based interaction into a single product, the Computer Kit Complete[4] — calling that a DIY laptop.
The 2018 refreshed version looks much the same, with enhancements generally behind the scenes and/or under the hood.
“The big moves this year are advancing the software and content ecosystem,” says Klein. “How it’s all integrated together.”
He points to another coding kit the team has up for pre-order, slated to ship next month — a co-branded Harry Potter gizmo in...