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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Redesign for barebones Raspberry Pi computer | Redesign for barebones Raspberry Pi computer |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A new version of the Raspberry Pi barebones computer has been released. | A new version of the Raspberry Pi barebones computer has been released. |
| Called the B+, the updated version uses less power than its predecessors and will cost about $35 (£20). | Called the B+, the updated version uses less power than its predecessors and will cost about $35 (£20). |
| The B+ can also power more peripherals without the need for a dedicated power source and has more connectors to help link it to other devices. | The B+ can also power more peripherals without the need for a dedicated power source and has more connectors to help link it to other devices. |
| The new model is released as the Pi faces increasing competition from other tiny computers. | The new model is released as the Pi faces increasing competition from other tiny computers. |
| Power train | |
| The B+ is based on the same Broadcom chip as earlier versions and has the same 512Mb of memory but a variety of other changes have been made to the device. | The B+ is based on the same Broadcom chip as earlier versions and has the same 512Mb of memory but a variety of other changes have been made to the device. |
| The analogue and composite video connector has been ditched in favour of a single four-pole connector and the SD card slot has been replaced with a micro-SD card unit. This has a latch on it to ensure the smaller card does not fall out. | |
| Better power management on the B+ will mean it can keep four USB peripherals going without requiring mains power or an external hub. | Better power management on the B+ will mean it can keep four USB peripherals going without requiring mains power or an external hub. |
| "People expect to see four USB ports these days," said Mike Powell, a spokesman for electronics components firm Element 14 which sells the Pi. "With the Model B as soon as you had connected a keyboard and mouse that was it." | |
| More USB ports and better power management allowed owners to run a 2.5in hard drive off the device without the need for a powered hub, said Mr Powell. | |
| The General Purpose I/O (GPIO) section of the device has also been expanded to 40 pins - 14 more than on the original machine. | |
| This, said Mr Powell would give people many more options to add work with extras such as sensors and relays. | |
| "When the Pi was first launched they really underestimated what people were going to do with it," he said. | |
| In a review of the B+ in Linux Voice Ben Everard said one of the most significant improvements was the gadget's power management. An improved voltage regulator meant the device was much more stable when handling USB-connected peripherals. | |
| "To be able to handle lots more input and output means this is a significantly more useful computer," wrote Mr Everard, "and will be especially important for new users who may not have a great power supply or a powered USB hub." | |
| The B+ will be available via online electronics stores such as Element 14. About three million Raspberry Pi computers have been sold around the world. | |
| The Pi now faces much more competition from devices such as the Beaglebone Black, the Hummingboard, the APC 8750, the Android MK802 mini PC, Banana Pi and the Matrix TBS2910. | The Pi now faces much more competition from devices such as the Beaglebone Black, the Hummingboard, the APC 8750, the Android MK802 mini PC, Banana Pi and the Matrix TBS2910. |