Embedded Computing
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    • Which Platform?
    • Controller Platforms >
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    • Ultra-Low Power with EnergyTrace >
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    • Using Integers Instead of Reals
  • IoT
    • IoT Platforms: Which Hardware?
    • IoT Services: Which Solution? >
      • Recommended IoT Solutions
      • Platform-Specific IoT Solutions
      • Other IoT Solutions
      • Not tested IoT Solutions
      • Notification Solutions
    • Get Date and Time from Internet with NTP
    • Fast and Easy WiFi Connection with QR-Code
  • Tools
    • How to Start?
    • Reference >
      • Asking for Help
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      • Ruler
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    • Training >
      • Texas Instruments Workshops
      • Embedded Systems: Shape The World — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.02x
      • Embedded Systems - Shape The World: Microcontroller Input/Output — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.10x
      • Embedded Systems - Shape The World: Multi-Threaded Interfacing — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.20x
      • Real-Time Bluetooth Networks: Shape the World — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.RTBN.12.01x
      • Systems Thinking with Texas Instruments Robotics System Learning Kit
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    • Equipment >
      • Saleae Logic Analyser
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      • Segger J-Link Programmer-Debugger
  • Projects
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    • smartDevices >
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    • IoT Projects >
      • Remote e-Paper Messages Panel
      • Industrial IoT Project
      • Remote Contactless Temperature Monitor
      • Using Node-RED for IIoT
      • Low Power Home Network Weather Monitoring
      • Updated Low Power Home Network Weather Monitoring
      • Weather and Security Station with Blynk
      • SensorTag to Blynk Using Node-RED
      • Pervasive Reporting
    • AI Projects >
      • Colour Recognition with Neural Network
    • Other Projects >
      • Portable Particulate​ Matter Monitor
      • FRAM-based E-Paper Screen Controller
      • General Purpose 3.5" Screen
      • Colour Recognition with Neural Network
      • A Low Power Weather Station
      • Digital Volt-Amp-Watt Meter
      • Mobile Measurement with LCD Display
      • Screen with SRAM for GUI
      • Volt-Amp-Watt-Meter for Grove
      • Multi-Touch Project with CapTIvate

IoT Platforms: Which Hardware?

For ease of use, I recommend boards with built-in WiFi or Bluetooth capability. Relying on a shield is possible, but is often more difficult to configure and more expensive to buy.

The links redirect to the reviews of the boards.

LaunchPad

  • ​LaunchPad WiFi with CC3200 and new generation LaunchPad CC3220, clear winners for USD30
  • Connected LaunchPad with Ethernet 
  • BoosterPack CC3100 and new generation BoosterPack CC3120 to plug into any other LaunchPads
​Both the CC31x0 and CC32x0 manage the IP stack as well as encryption in hardware. The Wiring/Arduino compatible Energia IDE offers full-support and features built-in libraries for Temboo and PubNub.
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Arduino and Genuino

  • Arduino Yún 
The dual-processor board is easy to use and well documented, albeit difficult to understand, as each processor can control the other.
  • Arduino Tian
The Arduino Tian is a more powerful version of the Arduino Yún, with dual WiFi and Bluetooth  connectivity, a more powerful MPU, and an updated Cortex-M0 MCU as in the Arduino Zero or M0 Pro.
  • Geniuno Zero Pro + WiFi Shield 101
The Arduino compatibility comes with a hefty price, USD100, when competitors offer better integrated and more powerful solutions at a fraction of the cost.
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MediaTek LinkIt 

  • ​The MediaTek LinkIt One includes WiFi, Bluetooth, GSM/GPRS and GPS on a single board compatible with Arduino shields.
MediaTek offers a cloud service as well as an app for Android.
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  • ​The MediaTek LinkIt Smart 7688 Duo offers the same dual-core configuration as the Arduino Yún board, but at a fraction of the price.
The processor MT7688AN runs on Linux for WiFi and the ATmega32U4 controller is compatible with Arduino. 
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Udoo Neo

  • The Udoo Neo combines a Cortex-A9 MPU with a Cortex-M4 MCU in a single SoC, with WiFi and Bluetooth. 
The Udoo Neo excels at its ease of use, as it brings on-the-fly upload and run for the MCU, contrary to similar MPU+MCU configurations difficult to operate. 
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RedBear Duo

  • The RedBear Duo board combines WiFi and Bluetooth (2.0 and BLE).​
​RedBear no longer sells this board, as a consequence of its acquisition by Particle.
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Other Boards

  • LightBlue Bean with Bluetooth
A very nice BLE-based solution with a local server running on Node-RED.​
  • chipKIT WiFire
A really powerful board, but the IP stack is managed by software.
  • BLuno with Bluetooth and Wido with WiFi
  • Particle Core and Particle Photon with WiFi
Maybe the pioneer of the WiFi-ready boards. Unfortunately, the lack of offline standard IDE limits their potential.
  • ESP8266-based boards
​Ultra cheap at USD10~15, but with some technical challenges.
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