CHIP, a nine dollar computer with impressive specs
Next Thing Co., a young Oakland based startup, has turned to Kickstarter to raise funds for its $9 computer. CHIP, similar in concept to the Raspberry PI, is a linux run mini computer with an impressing 1GHz R8 ARM processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of flash storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a USB port. For a little extra money you can get an HDMI or VGA adapter, or pledge $49 and get the CHIP pocket, a device with a 4.3 inch touchscreen, keyboard, battery and of course the CHIP computer board.
The crowdfunding campaign for the little computer has been extremely successful. NTC was looking for $50,000, but has managed to convince over 36,000 backers to pledge over 2 million dollars. This is not their first campaign, a while back they managed to raise $71,000 for their digital camera OTTO, which was powered by a Raspberry Pi. Maybe using the Raspberry inspired them to make the CHIP.
