This video shows and describes the "core" functionality I've been trying to achieve. It's a great feeling to finally be at this point in the project! Even though I've had the scrolling text working for awhile on it's own, I'm now able to make it truly interactive by using the core memory as screen RAM.

I've said it before, but you really do have to experience this to get the feel for how fluid and interactive it is. It is satisfying to use the stylus on the cores, and have the LEDs instantly respond. The mode where the LEDs constantly show the extent of the magnetic flux is similar to moving sand in a zen garden. It just flows.

I'm noticing some unexpected behavior, which might inspire some new ideas. First, when I hold the stylus with very little pressure, it wants to jump between cores, trying to stay aligned to a discrete core. The effect is subtle, but noticeable. I didn't expect to be able to feel the interaction with the cores. And the second unexpected thing is that I can hear the cores resonating. In all three modes that I've demo'd in the video, the cores are constantly being written to and read from. That translates to a faint ringing noise that I can hear when the badge is close to my ear.

This continues to be a project with unexpected twists and interesting things to learn. I hope to be able to sell some kits before the end of 2020.