Apple has announced Swift Playgrounds, their free educational coding app for iPad will soon be updated to offer a new and exciting way to code with a range of third-party accessories. This includes robots, drones, musical instruments, and more.
Swift Playgrounds is a free Apple-designed app which teaches people of all ages Swift coding. Apple’s own programming language is used to create apps on devices such as the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and more.
“More than 1 million kids and adults from around the world are already using Swift Playgrounds to learn the fundamentals of coding with Swift in a fun and interactive way,” – Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
In a free update set to arrive on June 6th, the app can be used to code with a range of accessories. This will allow kids and adults to control accessories from a number of leading device makers Apple have teamed up with. This includes popular devices such as SPRK+, Parrot drones, Jimu Robots, and more.
Compatible Accessories
At launch, Swift Playgrounds app will be compatible with the following accessories, many of which are available to buy from Apple’s Australian online store.
- SPRK+ Robotic Ball for iOS
- Parrot Drone
- Jimu Robot MeeBot Kit
- Skoogmusic Skoog 2.0
- LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3
Swift Playground-compatible apps and other educational accessories can be browsed here.
