You can connect real world components to the cloud instantly, program If This Then That recipes, and even connect it all to an Arduino. Here's how to get started using them.

LittleBits are small, open source, modular electronics components that snap together to form larger circuits. The company was started by Ayah Bdeir with the goal of making DIY hardware available to everyone. They're billed as a simple way to learn about electronics hardware and they deliver on that promise. Littlebits come in kits (which range from the $100 base kit to the $200 deluxe kit, but also includes specialized kits for music and space) or you can buy parts à la carte for around $20 apiece. It's a bit on the expensive side for beginner electronics kits, but they do make things a lot easier for beginners (and you can always make your own ). They also just introduced bundles for integrating internet applications and Arduino programs with littleBits.