Modder visits to deliver keynote and showcase custom handheld ZX Spectrum

LONDON - 20 August 2014 - Ben Heck, presenter of element14'sThe Ben Heck Showand leading name in the electronics hardware modding community, has announced he is to visit the UK to deliver a keynote to Bletchley Park EMF Camp, 29th -31st August 2014.

As part of this presentation, Ben will demonstrate the finished build of his latest project: a custom, handheld ZX Spectrum. A sneak preview of the final design can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAQ0y030pzE

Focusing on his work with gaming devices, Ben's keynote will give an insight in to what inspires his ideas, how he approaches a project and give tips to budding engineers.

For his ZX Spectrum build, Ben took the British Classic in all its 1980's glory, and modified it to create a handheld version. He stripped down the Spectrum to its core custom ULA chip, putting this at the heart of the rebuilt, portable device. He then brought it in to the 21st century, fitting a modern LCD screen, keyboard and storage.

"The chance to deliver a keynote to UK fans is genuinely exciting," said Ben. "But, given the uniquely British heritage of the ZX Spectrum, I am particularly thrilled to be given the opportunity to showcase my custom build in front of hundreds on its home soil."

Ben found international recognition in the design community through element14's The Ben Heck Show, an online electronics and design engineering show, dedicated to educating viewers in the science and art of system and hardware modding.

Some of the most popular past projects on the show have included a handheld Raspberry Pi gaming console, an all-in-one gaming system - incorporating the PS3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii U - and a portable 3D printer.

Known for turning the latest design and tech trends into projects, the Ben Heck Show recently surpassed 15 million viewers worldwide. Show fans span the globe and can be found in the UK, US, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and Sweden, among other countries.

It airs weekly on the element14.comCommunity, the world's biggest online community for engineers to connect, research products and technologies, watch videos and webinars, download product data sheets as well as apply to join exclusive new technology Road Tests.  Virtual field engineers support with up-to-date technical and expert content to inform the research phase and online ordering 24/7 for over 1600 brands and 650,000 in-stock lines.

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