If you want to push this to the extreme, check out the MSP430 Launchpad and fiddle around with avr-gcc. Pick up a Bluetooth serial module (can be had on breako

If you want to push this to the extreme, check out the MSP430 Launchpad and fiddle around with avr-gcc. Pick up a Bluetooth serial module (can be had on breakout board for ≈$40) and remote control something from any Android phone. Lots of fun to be had. Just be aware, microcontroller C programming is pretty far out compared to regular systems programming. Lots of tasks involve writing bits to seemingly random memory-mapped registers to change the state of the controller... and forget about including your favorite libraries. You're lucky if the standard library fits on the chip. Its very similar to OS kernel development in that regard.