Got a project to prototype? Freescale’s Tower system with its Real Time Communications Suite (RTCS) offers greater processing power and more programming resources than Arduino, although it takes longer to learn.

The basic kit consists of the 32-bit microcontroller board with USB and RS-232 interfaces, accelerometer, four display LEDs, switches, and a potentiometer. Additional modules include different microcontrollers, LCD display, and sensor, wi-fi, and prototyping boards.

After trying the tutorials, I wired a solderless breadboard with light and temperature sensors to the Tower’s side expansion port, then modified the code to read the sensors via the internet. No soldering! Freescale’s documentation makes development easy, and the community at towergeeks.org can help you over the bumps.