And how true it is.

http://blog.beetlebum.de/2010/03/08/arduino/

Download Links:
Windows
Mac OS X
Linux (32 Bit)

Release Notes:

0018 – 2010.01.29

[core / libraries]

* Added tone() and noTone() functions for frequency generation.
* Added Serial.end() command.
* Added precision parameter for printing of floats / doubles.
* Incorporated latest version of Firmata.
* Fixed bug w/ disabling use of the RW pin in the LiquidCrystal library.
* No longer disabling interrupts in delayMicroseconds().
* Fixed bug w/ micros() returning incorrect values from within an interrupt.
* Fixed bug that broke use of analog inputs 8-15 on the Mega.

[environment]

* Synchronized with the Processing 1.0.9 code base, bringing various fixes,
including to a bug causing saving to fail when closing the last sketch.

* Added support for third-party hardware in the SKETCHBOOK/hardware folder,
mirroring the current structure of the hardware folder in Arduino.

* Added Ctrl-Shift-M / Command-Shift-M shortcut for serial monitor.

* Hold down shift when pressing the Verify / Compile or Upload toolbar
buttons to generate verbose output (including command lines).

* Moving build (on upload) from the applet/ sub-folder of the sketch
to a temporary directory (fixing problems with uploading examples from
within the Mac OS X disk image or a Linux application directory).

* Fixed bug the prevented the inclusion of .cpp and .h (or .c and .h) files
of the same name in a sketch.

* Improved the Mac OS X disk image (.dmg): added a shortcut to the
Applications folder, a background image with arrow, and new FTDI drivers.

That’s right! The Robot Games are returning to the Western Canadian Robotics Society May 15th 2010! What will you be bringing to the competition this year?

With robots, it is always misleading as to the number of choices you have in your design, both electrically and physically. As Brutus has mentioned before, the ATMEL chips on an ARDUINO board are very popular amongst hobbyists as the core of their robot. My personal preference has been the PIC microcontrollers, made by MicroChip. What is your preference?

Interested in setting up the Arduino IDE to work on Ubuntu 9.10?

Head over to codetorment for a step by step guide for Ubuntu 9.10 32bit edition.

Download it For Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux 32Bit.

Arduino Software Release Notes

0017 - 2009.07.25

[documentation / examples]
* Many new and revised examples from Tom Igoe.

[core / libraries]
* Updated LiquidCrystal library by Limor Fried.  See reference for details.
* Updated Firmata library to version 2.1 (rev. 25).
* Replaced the Servo library with one (MegaServo) by Michael Margolis.
  Supports up to 12 servos on most Arduino boards and 48 on the Mega.
* Improving the accuracy of the baud rate calculations for serial
  communication (fixing double-speed problems on 8 MHz Arduino boards).
  Thanks to gabebear.

[environment]
* Synchronized with the Processing 1.0.3 code base (rev. 5503), bringing
  many improvements (listed below).
* New icons and about image by Thomas Glaser (envis precisely).
* Support for multiple sketch windows.
* The serial monitor now has its own window.
* Comment / Uncomment menu item (in Edit) and keyboard shortcut.
* Increase and Decrease Indent menu items (in Edit) and keyboard shortcuts.
* Support for third-party libraries in the SKETCHBOOK/libraries folder.
* Libraries are now compiled with the sketch, eliminating the delay when
  switching boards and the need to delete .o files when changing library
  source code.
* Arduino now comes as an app file (in a dmg) on the Mac.
* Adding the Arduino Nano w/ ATmega328 to the Tools > Board menu.

Arduino 16 IDE Released!

Download for:

Windows | Mac OS X | Linux (32 Bit)

Arduino Software Release Notes

0016 - 2009.05.30

[documentation / examples]
* New communication examples (w/ corresponding Processing and Max/MSP code) by
  Tom Igoe.

[core / libraries]
* Adding support for the Arduino Pro and Pro Mini 3.3V / 8 MHz w/ ATmega328.
* Adding support for the LilyPad Arduino w/ ATmega328.
* Adding write(str) and write(buf, size) methods to Print, Serial, and the
  Ethernet library Client and Server classes.  This allows for more efficient
  (fewer packet) Ethernet communication.  (Thanks to mikalhart.)
* Improvements to the way the Ethernet library Client class connects and
  disconnects.  Should reduce or eliminate failed connections and long
  timeouts.  (Thanks to Bruce Luckcuck.)
* Optimizing the timer0 overflow interrupt handler (used for millis() and
  micros()).  Thanks to westfw and mikalhart.
* Fixing bug that limited the bit() macro to 15 bits.  Thanks to Paul Badger.
* Adding ARDUINO version constant (thanks to prodding from mikalhart).

[environment]
* Ordering the items in the Tools > Board menu.
* Adding "Copy as HTML" command to the Tools menu.
* Eliminating (maybe) the occasional "Couldn't determine program size" errors.
  Thanks to the Clever Monkey.
* Moving selection of Linux look-and-feel into the arduino script so it can
  be changed by users.  Thanks to Eberhard Fahle.

[tools]
* Adding automatic dependency generation to the Makefile.  (Lars Immisch)

Via a post on Adafruit:  (Original post on Ideas for Dozens)

Today, the world of physical computing closely resembles the personal computer industry circa 1975. We’ve been around for a few years struggling around the edges with tools and products that were designed, priced, and packaged for serious industry, but we haven’t made any money and we haven’t moved the world. That’s about to change.

Great article, and good to read even if you are not into the Arduino craze.

With the release of the new Arduino MEGA, we have a new version of the IDE.

Download the Windows, Linux or MAC OS X verison.

Release notes:

0015 – 2009.03.26

[core / libraries]
* Adding support for the Arduino Mega (ATmega1280).

[environment]
* Reinstating use of core.a library in the build process, slightly shrinking
compiled sketch sizes. (Thanks to William Westfield.)
* Fixing bug in copy for forum (thanks to eried).

Overview of the new Arduino Mega:

The Arduino Mega is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega1280 (datasheet). It has 54 digital input/output pins (of which 14 can be used as PWM outputs), 16 analog inputs, 4 UARTs (hardware serial ports), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with a AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started. The Mega is compatible with most shields designed for the Arduino Duemilanove or Diecimila.

via Arduino – HomePage.

2009.03.11 Arduino 0014 for Windows and Mac OS X available from the software page. This is a minor bug fix release.
Arduino Software Release Notes

0014 – 2009.03.07
[core / libraries]
* Fixing bug that prevented multiple outgoing Client connections with the
ethernet library.

[environment]
* Clarifying ATmega168 vs. ATmega328 in the Tools > Boards menu.

[tools]
* Updating the Mac OS X AVR tools to AVR MacPack 20081213. This includes
avr-gcc 4.3.2, which should fix problems with functions called from
within interrupts.

Microchip Technology drops Atmel bid

via Microchip Technology drops Atmel bid – Yahoo! Finance.

Tuesday February 10, 2009, 6:16 pm EST

CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) — Chip maker Microchip Technology Inc. said Tuesday it is no longer interested in buying Atmel Corp., another chip maker, and is withdrawing a slate of directors it had nominated to its board.

Microchip said the global economy, along with the chip industry, has “deteriorated significantly” since it first made an offer of $5 per share in October.

“In light of the economic uncertainty and the lack of visibility that continues to exist with respect to Atmel’s business, Microchip is no longer able to put a value on Atmel,” said Steve Sanghi, president, chief executive and chairman of Microchip, in a statement.

In a statement, Atmel said it remains “confident that we are on the right track to further enhance shareholder value” as it transforms its business to focus on its core microcontroller segment.