Are you still a mere computer programmer? OMG! So when will u start programming ur own devices. Am tired of seeing smeone who wrote a vb alarm program refering to him/herself as a programmer. CHAI so u need to put a 200watt device on for hours because u want it to function as an alarm? Haba! I think its high time we started programming more portable devices. Andriod platforms are provided for such use and in case u r a genius, u can create ur own platform even with simple microcontrollers. Wake up guys cos the world has changed.

shows us the world, am interested but i'm mostly a frontend guy but i don't mind whats the curriculum.

@bigjaked, what is wrong with the existing platforms?

pc guru: shows us the world, am interested but i'm mostly a frontend guy but i don't mind whats the curriculum.

Am sure u v heard of PIC I.e. Programmable Integrated Circuit and Atmel. They are collectively called micro controllers. They are easy ways to start hardware programming and with it it is quiet easy to control and manipulate devices. Any question will be gladly answered.