New tech start-up Kano is launching its latest product, the Harry Potter Coding Kit, to hit stores this month. If you are unfamiliar with Kano, they are a company who aims to teach and introduce the younger generation to the world of computer coding.

Your first thought may be how can children learn coding? Well, SnitchSeeker had to opportunity to visit the London offices of Kano to find out a little bit about them and their new product. Read our correspondent Milo's review of the wand experience below.

According to Kano’s mission statement, “The modern world is filled with billions of machines. But 1% of 1% of us can open them up, and change them. We create computers you make and code yourself. Simple, fun, and for everyone.” They aim to deconstruct or show us ways that we can deconstruct and open up technology so that we can learn ourselves and create more.

I must admit I had never heard of anything like this myself, but as the team greeted me I could immediately see the appeal of their products and platform, which brings me to why we are here. Harry Potter. The broad appeal of the Harry Potter brand is one that will surely grab the attention of many, and with this latest innovation, all generations of people, as well as us Potter fans, will get the chance to learn how to code and have fun in a universe that we love, albeit in a way that hasn’t been done before.

Inside a meeting room at Kano, I was greeted by the sight of wands, lots and lots of wands. These were prototypes for the final product that makes up the Harry Potter Coding Kit. The team told me of how they embarked on a journey to find the perfect wand that would fit in with the Wizarding World aesthetic, as well as something that would be practical enough that it can be taken apart. They journeyed to Universal Studios to see all the different types of wands available, and what kind of technology that existed currently at the theme park.

If you are unfamiliar with Kano, they have a platform whereby people can create and upload sequences, designs, art, videos and pretty much anything that you can think of using their visual coding app. There is a growing online community where you can upload your work for people to view, and this also makes it available for people to download and hack themselves to see what they can do. It is an enriching and supportive environment with varying levels and abilities, but the creativity is endless. Very soon the Wizarding World will be available on this platform, and from the demo I received, this is going to be something very unique.

So what is in the Harry Potter Coding Kit? Well, in the box you will receive your wand, as well as a computer. The computer is in the form of a chip/processing board which will control the wand and allow you to interact with your desktop/laptop computer at home, via the Kano platform. With this wand you can log into your account and being to create and cast different pieces of art all through the platform at the same time you can manipulate the code to create whatever you like, be it spells, objects or even music.

The Harry Potter Coding Kit will have a Wizarding World platform, almost like a game where you follow the story and complete different tasks throughout Hogwarts and surrounding locations. As a user, you will also have the chance to collect rewards such as different accessories and outfits for your avatar. This is a highly interactive platform, with endless possibility of creativity. Kano themselves will also be working on updates and introducing new Harry Potter content as the platform develops and expands, meaning that users will always having something new to look forward to.

Having tried out the coding kit myself, I can say that anyone with an interest in Harry Potter and technology will love this, especially younger people. This is something that change the way you learn, but without the monotony of staring at endless code, which can be draining. Here we have something new and positive. Something a little bit magical.

The Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit is available to purchase online and in store at select retailers now, and can be purchased here.