NIE Library vs microbitBLE
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NIE Library
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LibGO! is created for NIE Library members to access library services and information anytime, anywhere at their convenience. NIE Library members can search the catalogue, access E-Resources, access their library accounts, renew loans, reserve materials, check out events and announcements as well as submit forms. The use of the application is governed by NIE's privacy policy.
microbitBLE
Connect your smartphone to a micro:bit device via Bluetooth. Send text from your keyboard to display on the micro:bit's LED, and receive messages sent from the micro:bit. Ideal for interactive coding projects and learning.
- Bluetooth UART connection
- Send text to micro:bit LED
- Receive messages from micro:bit
- Button press triggers messages
- Interactive coding projects
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It is an application that allows you to connect the micro:bit Bluetooth UART. When you hit the keyboard of your smartphone, characters will be displayed on the LED of the micro:bit. Displays the characters sent from the micro:bit. In the sample, when the A button is pressed, Hello is sent and displayed on the smartphone. Usage 1. program the micro:bit 2. The micro:bit start and wait for Bluetooth connection (in the sample, a square mark is displayed) 3. Press the "connect to micro:bit" button in the app 4. When the connection is complete, the square display in the middle (transmission character display) will turn black and a check mark will appear on the micro:bit. 5. Hit the keyboard and the character will be displayed on the micro:bit 6. When you press the A button on the micro:bit, "Hello" is displayed in the "received message" part of the app 7. Press the "disconnect from micro:bit" button to disconnect Bluetooth and display a cross mark on the micro:bit
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: microbitBLE at every 2 months against NIE Library's every 21 months. NIE Library's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NIE Library ships an update every 21 months, microbitBLE every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NIE Library | microbitBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 2.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 21 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 — better | 15.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | National Institute of Education (NIE) Singapore | Atsushi Yamada |
In-app purchases
NIE Library
No in-app purchases
microbitBLE
No in-app purchases
