Arduino microcontrollers have added Python to the range of compatible programming languages. Others can be used, and not just Arduino's own IDE app.

Hardware enthusiasts who want to start tinkering with Intel's tiny Curie chip will be able to get their hands on it early next year in the form of an Arduino development board.

A Texas Instruments ARM-based chip means hardware hackers who like Arduino will have another choice besides Intel's Quark for computing projects.

During programming, selected bits can be set to 0, but it’s not possible to set them back to 1 without erasing the entire chip again.