Getting Started (you will need the board from NXP to get started at all)

The press release was talking about getting started in 60 seconds, while that might be calling it a little tight, you get going really fast. My best guess, this is the tool is going to surpass the STM library in ease of use and time to get going.

Following a couple links I was a little surprised to see the rather limited function of the development board being offered at $66 from Digikey. The functionality is nicely extended and complemented by the reference design kit from Future Designs Inc. For $395 you get a board that offers a small LCD display and a keypad and comes with the ULink2-ME integrated (added Jan 2010)

From the original press release:

Rapid Prototyping

Development with mbed tools is focused on rapid prototyping by enabling the creation of proof-of-concept designs that exploit the functionality and cost saving opportunities presented by the inclusion of an advanced microcontroller in the system. The first mbed microcontroller hardware packages an NXP LPC1768 Cortex-M3 processor-based MCU and support components in a practical 40-pin 0.1” pitch DIP form-factor, ideal for experimenting on solderless breadboard, stripboard and through-hole PCBs. The mbed C/C++ Libraries build on top of the ARM Cortex Microcontroller Software Interface Standard (CMSIS) to provide high-level interfaces to microcontroller peripherals, enabling a clean, compact, API-driven approach to coding. The combination gives immediate connectivity to peripherals and modules for prototyping and iteration of microcontroller-based system designs, providing developers with the freedom to be more innovative and more productive.

How does it compare to STM32 based development tools offerings?

For the STM32 you can download Library code and you get an incredible pool of source code from the Raisonance website stm32circle.com

Given the choice between the mbed board and the Primer2 from Raisonance, selling at similar prices, you can get up and running even faster with the embed board yet the Primer2 offer much more functionality.   

Summary:

PROS: Low-cost access and ease of use for high end tool chain, has the option to show a difference to GNU code for a small investment

Things to be sorted out: According to Hitex site, board runs at 60 MHz only whether that is a typo or something intended, we will see.

This approach has new elements and it is without a doubt another step to make it easier to enter the 32-bit world!