Now the ADK TinkerKit unleashes this potential with the new Arduino Mega ADK (also sold separately for $85), which interfaces with an Android device via a USB host, and a multitude of modules such as LEDs, relays, joysticks, potentiometers, touch and temperature sensors, and many more. One caveat: the documentation on how to work with this technology, which bridges the Arduino and Android environments, is still sparse, and working with this kit is not for the faint of heart.

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.