BUG Labs WiFi Release: DIY Web-Enabled Gadgets for All
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Have you ever wanted to build a better web cam, GPS device or web video pet monitoring service? Well you just might get your chance. Bug Labs recently released their latest BUGbase device module with an embedded WiFi and bluetooth solution. Best known for its Lego-like hardware blocks, BUG offers users a set of programmable modules to develop DIY gadgets. What makes this so groundbreaking is the fact that the company is offering one of the first-ever open source WiFi hardware solutions. This means that both large-scale hardware manufacturers and garage tinkers can utilize the code.
CEO Peter Semmelhack noted that BUGbase's WiFi has taken a year to launch with significant hardware, software and regulatory struggles to overcome. Nevertheless, the results are a triumph for the entire open source community.
Says Semmelhack, "The world is already rapidly changing via popular software applications like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Digg, etc. It will change even more radically when we are able to personalize our hardware experiences as easily as our digital ones."
Rather than trading old products for newer models or adjusting to the limitations of their gadgets, consumers may one day learn to build better experiences for themselves. Semmelhack listed a number of commercial products that can already be recreated using BUG modules. Below are some of his examples:
1. Novatel Mifi: This pocket-sized mobile hotspot can be created using the BUGbase Wifi and BUG 3G modules.
2. Dash: Most basic GPS solutions can be built using the BUGbase, GPS and BUG 3G modules.
3. Kodak Easyshare One camera with WiFi Card: Users can create their own camera via the BUGbase WiFI, BUGcam modules. They can also add geotagging with the BUGlocate GPS module.
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Such an brilliant idea!
This is a fantastic idea by bug labs. Shouldn't you be able to buy a small LCD screen and microdrive and LINUX and make a small mp3 player? If Bug labs keeps it up, we'll be able to....
Base unit cost is $449.00. You also need to buy at least LCD and board with USB connector ($208.00 extra, $657.00 total) or buy bundle kit which cost $749.00. Otherwise that bug thingy is practically useless as a gadget. So it's really expensive toy. You'll better buy G1 smartphone or some PDA.
Brilliant!
Thanks for all the kind words and comments everyone. Re BUG being an expensive toy - I won't deny that it's a bit more expensive than an a G1 or iPhone (sans data plan). But the point of the device is not to be one of those. It's a system that let's you, the user, build whatever you want. A G1 is a G1 now and forever. A BUG can be one thing today, something else tomorrow, etc. You pay a bit more for that flexibility but, I think, the benefit of that approach is you buy fewer gadgets overall.