John Hansen, the man behind NXC, NBC and the Bricx Command center, has written a new book!  Called NXT Power Programming, its a new book that deals solely with the programming aspects of the NXT.  Primarly using NXC it goes deep into some of the more complicated programming aspects for the NXT.  In addition to going into detail about the tools that John has written, it shows how to use the latest Mindsensors and HiTechnic sensors as well as using the NXT's built-in Bluetooth.  Although its list price is $32.95, Amazon has it for pre-order for only $21.75.  The books weighs in at 544 pages, so its a great deal for any aspiring programmer.  Check out some more details at Variant Press.

» Read more: New Book: NXT Power Programming

LegoEngineering.com is having a free online class next month.  The class will deal with the programming aspects of the NXT-A-Sketch robot.  The robot is very simple (basicly just two motors mounted to the NXT Brick)  however the programming behind it is quite complex.  The class is beign taught using NXT-G and will use a variety of the more complex blocks to write the program.  Looks like a great introduction to some of the more advanced NXT-G topics, and although its free registration is limited.  Check it out over at LegoEngineering.com.

» Read more: Lego Enigneering Online Class

Philo, the Lego Motor expert, has posted a nice overview of the new Power Functions motors.  He details how the new cable system works, as well as showing the speicfications for each of the new motors.  He's also got some nice LDraw models of all the new elements, and a nice comparison to the old 9v mini-motors.  It looks like the new motors are much stronger,  but will also drain your batteries that much faster.   Read it over at Philo's site.

» Read more: Power Functions Writeup

Mindsensors has annoucned a new product.  They've put together a new multiplexer that allows you to hook up four RCX sensors to the NXT.  This is great for those folks who have alot of RCX sensors hanging around.  Although you can't hook up any fancy sensors with it, it would be very useful to hook up a slew of touch sensors (as shown in the picture!)  This is also great because the RCX sensors are much cheaper than the NXT ones. Coming soon over at Mindsensors.com

» Read more: Mindsensors RCX Sensor Multiplexer

The Mindsensors NXT Camera has finally gotten a hard ship date, and price.   Its still lacking alot of details but it looks to be quite the slick sensor.   Unlike the camera I used for my Rover, which required a PC to do the image processing, the Mindsensors camera can operate solely with the NXT.  It looks like it has a decent bit of processing power on board, and it also has a USB connector to hook up directly to a PC.  Seems likely that you will use a PC to program it, and then it would send some simple feedback to the NXT.  Sadly, at almost $100 its not cheap, but it does look like it would be extremely useful.  Shipping on October 12th, check it out over at Mindsensors.com.

» Read more: Mindsensors Camera gets a ship date