TinyCircuits Thumby (Clear), Tiny Game Console, Playable Programmable Keychain: Electronic Miniature, STEM Learning Tool

I recently got my hands on the TinyCircuits Thumby, and it's been an absolute delight. Despite its minuscule size, the build quality is impressive. It feels sturdy enough to hang on a keychain without worries about damage.The real charm of the Thumby lies in its novelty. The games are fun, and playing on such a small device adds a unique twist to the experience. While the controls can be a bit challenging for those with larger hands, it's a minor trade-off for its compactness.One of the Thumby's standout features is its programmability. The TinyCircuits site offers an easy-to-use platform for downloading a variety of user-created games, making it a versatile device for gaming enthusiasts.The screen quality is surprisingly good for such a tiny gadget. Text is clear and readable, and the display responds well during gameplay. I've used it for about an hour at a time, and the battery life has been more than adequate, though I haven't pushed it to its full limit.Overall, I'd definitely recommend the Thumby. It's not just a novelty item; it's a conversation starter and a great way to spark interest in coding. Whether you're a gaming enthusiast, a collector of unique gadgets, or looking to introduce someone to the world of coding, the Thumby is a fantastic choice.

Thumby is perfect for not only any gamer, but for anyone who's into programming or wants to learn programming... or anyone else, really. So much fun to mess around with!The packaging is very minimal and it does not include a micro USB cable (required for programming), but you probably have several in a junk drawer from old cell phones or something just like I do. I considered going only 4 stars for the lack of cable since one is required for full functionality, but the device is just too cool, and for the price of it being so reasonable, hunting down a micro USB cable was hardly an inconvenience.Just head to the website listed on the package to get started. The API documentation is well organized and thorough, and there are roughly 60 or so games and apps in the Thumby arcade at the time of posting this review. Each game can be downloaded to and played on the Thumby, but you can also look over all the code for each one for educational purposes or to tweak it and make your own version.The code editor is easy to use and has some decent features. The autocomplete capabilities are lacking (at least in my experience), but the bitmap to byte array converter is just so useful that it overshadows all other potential failings of the code editor.The screen is bright and fully adjustable via code. The audio is a bit quiet, but is crisp and clear. The buttons are clicky and responsive, and while your thumbs might be constantly competing for space on this thing, it does get more comfortable with use and familiarity. Two- player games with the link cable (sold separately) are a lot of fun and the capability offers a great deal of potential for programming.Battery life sits somewhere around two hours, but for the sake of your eyes and hands you probably shouldn't play sessions that long anyway. They last plenty long for a device of this size and power. It's perfect for idle moments when you want a bit of diversion and perfect for any time you want to look cooler (nerdier) than anyone else.All in all, Thumby really is one of the most awesome things I've ever owned. I've got 5 now, and will continue to buy them as gifts for family and friends and as educational tools for anyone I know who's getting into coding for as long as they are available.

The media could not be loaded. ✨️UPDATE: Got the replacement, and she works like a charm! 🎮❤️ +2 stars!(Original review Below)1. Size: let's be honest. If you're buying this product, chances are it's because you want something miniature, novel, and functional. The thumby does exactly that....and very well!2. Appeal: personally i am a huge fan of miniature things, and tech. The inner nerd went crazy when Thumby introduced a miniature piece of tech.... and you can program your own games and imagery, also?! Love that.3. Quality: the little device may be a challenge to control and use due to its size, but there is no lack of quality in the feeling or function. The keys are satisfyingly clicky, the material feels nice, the special black-grey display adds a subtle hint of depth to the retro games, and the tiny sound feedback that it produces gives you just enough to emulate a nice, retro, portable game console.4. Downsides: first and foremost the packaging is cute and minimal, much like you would find on any novelty item. There is basic information such as what games come pre-loaded on the device and where you can go to download more games or program your thumby. The biggest miss here is that there are no instructions or user manual. I had to google the information for charging the device, and read through the website's FAQ section. (Maybe include a QR code or link to an online user manual?)Another problem, which hopefully is just device specific; mine wont charge... whatsoever. Only way I can use it is if it's plugged in to a power source. Started an exchange for mine, lets see how the replacement does! (-2 stars for this alone)Overall: i absolutely love the concept of this little device, its so small it takes up less space than a flash drive, and i loooove that you can program your own functions or even select from other pre-made games and functions that other users have created.

got two of these as gifts for people and both of them loved it! its so cute and fun, you can do a whole lot on and with it and they love to tinker with it. the item is obviously small, so if you have bigger hands the buttons may be a bit hard to press.