Introduction
The Raspberry Pi is a cheap, compact computer about the size of a credit card, intended to drive teaching and learning of computers in schools, which has found numerous related and diverse applications. It can support word processing, spreadsheets, which can play high definition videos and games. The tiny computer can support a complete operating system as other personal computers, which gives it the ability and functionality that is more powerful compared to phones and portable computing devices of the same size (Brodkin, 2013). This is the reason why more research is continuing in order to increase the power and application of the Raspberry Pi, including more marketing efforts to promote the same. This paper examines the nature, uses and the marketing of Raspberry Pi, in order to create a better understanding of the technology and potential that the computer presents.
Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi small size is because of the compressed chip that includes a relatively powerful processer, which has resulted in a computer that costs as less as $45. The small computer does not have a hard disk drive, but has USB and other basic ports that can allow external drives and other storage devices to be attached to the computer. These ports also make it possible to input data into the computer. As such, this computer provides a cheap, but fully functional computer that can be easily be used in schools and other environments to promote computer programming, learning and teaching of computers (Raspberry Pi, 2012). In addition, the low costs of these computers have made them important in promoting the use of computers in schools, even in poor countries. This could not be done in the past because of the high costs that are necessary to implement such a project.
Without the Raspberry Pi, many children, especially in the developed countries have been using smartphones, lap tops and mobile phones, which are expensive and not available to all the children. Raspberry Pi will give the children a computer with almost the same ability as the usual personal computer/lap top, but a cheap price (Raspberry Pi, 2012). This will give the children the same level of satisfaction, allow them to learn to use and program computers, while also allowing them to grow up with computers. Even before it is distributed on the mass markets, the raspberry pi is already being used for many functions, some of which are included below.
Uses of Raspberry Pi
Other uses for the raspberry computer include the automation of homes, which uses several pi technologies as a ZigBee server for home automation. ZigBee systems are capable of performing several tasks including lighting, air conditioning, operating automated gates/doors and operating locking systems. Other raspberry developers have been trying to use the technology in car-puters (computers that are used in cars) and in internet radios. In order to run normal car-puters, the raspberry pi, is dependent on the ability of engineers to develop a working touchscreen to run on the system (Heath, 2012). This is technically more complex, compared to internet radios, which simply require low-cost LCD screens and speakers, which will result in a very cheap radio compared to the products that exist in the market today.
The raspberry pi’s computer technology can also be used to control robots, aircrafts and robot boats, especially because of the computer’s very small size and high power. The small size and power are also the reasons why the raspberry computer may be used in mini satellites and other computers that are used on scientific instruments that are sent in space. Tiny, but powerful computers will replace the traditional computers, which will reduce the weight of the space instruments, without reducing the power of the computers. Of course, one of the major goals of space missions is to hunt for meteorites and even other planets. Having small powerful computers in space will make it easier to achieve this goal. Finally, the raspberry pi can be used in coffee making machines, which are popularly referred to as MoccaPi. MoccaPI is an intelligent coffee-making machine that can make good quality drinks, without any human supervision (Heath, 2012).
Marketing of Raspberry Pi
Many strategies are being used to market raspberry pi computers. The first strategy is by ensuring that consumers can buy the product whenever they need it, without having to travel for long distances. Customers can buy the computers at the RS Components. RS Components is a distributor, which sells these computers, the power supply and the data storage memory cards.
The second approach is called product differentiation. Product differentiation refers to selling the same products, but ensuring that the product has different characteristics. IN using this strategy, the raspberry pi is divided into raspberry model A and raspberry model B. Model A has one USB Port and 256MB RAM, but does not have Ethernet port and costs less than B. On the other hand, raspberry model B has 512MB Ram, has an Ethernet port and two USB ports. It is possible to buy cables, a charger, the mouse and a memory card from distributors for less than 80 pounds.
The people marketing raspberry pi also use the internet and social media to market the new computer. This is because social media id cheap and very easy to market. In order to make the product attractive to the market, the engineers have been working to increase the power that the new computers have. One of such projects is the UDOO project. This project has been trying to combine Raspberry computers with the technology that is usually used in robots, called Arduino.
The main objective of the UDOO project is to create a computer that can run on either Linux or Android operating systems (Raspberry Pi, 2012). Arduino system is very good in handling sensors and uses a microcomputer. When this system is combined with the Raspberry Pi technology, the engineers expect to create an even more powerful computer that can handle many operations just like the normal computer. The engineers that have been working on the UDOO project say that they would be able to create solutions to many computing problems. It will be possible to create any project and be able to share it with people across the world, including the ability to update many computing problems without the need for cables and product compatibilities.
The new product has not reached the market at this time, but it is expected to sell for about $100. The UDOO product will cost more than the original Raspberry Pi, which is expected to be sold at a price that will range from $25 and $35 (Heath, 2012). Despite the high price, UDOO will have more functions and power compared to the original devices. In addition, the basic computers will find use in schools both in the developed words and the developing worlds, while the more expensive technologies will find use in complicated technology products such as car-puters and meteorite hunting.
Conclusion
It is clear from the above discussion that the raspberry Pi will provide an important new computing technology. The new technology is tiny, and has the power to run ordinary operating systems, softwares and perform the functions that ordinary computers do. The most important aspect of the raspberry Pi computer is the low prices and the computer power that it provides, which are important in ensuring that it has very many interesting applications in the modern world (Raspberry Pi, 2012). This technology will ensure that the dream of providing all children with computers and that children can use them in learning early in their lives.
Works Cited
Brodkin, Jon. Raspberry Pi + Arduino = $100 super PC. 23 April 2013. 12 May 2013
Heath, Nick. European Technology: 10 coolest uses for the Raspberry Pi. 23 April 2012. 12 May 2013
Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi Model B. 2012. 12 May 2013
