Bug Labs' BUGbase 2.0 prototype hands-on
By Chris Ziegler 
posted February 17th 2010 12:38PM
posted February 17th 2010 12:38PM
Although the unit we saw today has functional guts, we're told that the casing is pre-production -- not to say that "production" BUGbases need to look amazing, anyway, considering that they're frequently used for prototyping themselves. Though Android's already been ported to the Bug platform, the company is really driving home the message in 2.0; when you think about it, this kind of makes any Android dev out there a de facto Bug dev, so that's a nice angle to play. Look for it to ship by "early Summer," so it's time to scoop up that first-gen unit now if you're jonesing for the integrated display.
Excuse me if I sound like an idiot, but um...what /is/ this?
@BigJayDogg3 You're not alone.
@BigJayDogg3
Answered my own question. Its Legos for rich geeks.
Too bad I lack the rich part. :'(
@BigJayDogg3
I was gonna say the same thing.
@BigJayDogg3
From their site:
"BUG gives you all the tools you need to build your dream gadget -- a collection of electronic modules you can easily snap together and program to make any device you want. Best of all, it's open source."
@BigJayDogg3 Please, every electronics device is not meant for the average Joe.
@BigJayDogg3 It's really funny because in every bugbase article nobody explains what it is.
It's open source hardware you can combine with your own hand written open source software to make.. well.. whatever you want!
@BigJayDogg3
Exactly. Very poor journalism.
@BigJayDogg3
Your reaction is valid. This modular linux computer, is nothing and every thing at the same time. it can be assembled &/or disassembled at the software and hardware level to be re-purposed into anything!!!!!! the imagination is your only limitation.
This concept is hard for us to wrap our minds around. it perplexed me for the longest. But once you realize the potential it becomes extremely desirable if your the tinkering puzzle loving(raised on legos kinda guy).
i myself see my self buying A bug, i am a biology major but my passion for computers and technology are burning hottter than ever. I want to understand electronics on the fundamental level and work my way to the cutting edge.
PS: its completely Open source, (even the hardware) bugbase provides you with the means to create your own modules. Crazy huh!?!?
I remember this at past CES shows. Did this ever come out because I don't remember seeing any stellar reviews on it...
It's probably a reference model to experiment with for ODM's and developers. If this had an ethernet port or wifi on it that would be pretty sick; hobbyists could def. do something coo with it.
I was thinking the same...Ziegler, what is this?
OldBro here, its a modular peripheral thats supposed to allow you to do whatever you want with it.
Bug Labs is open source hardware. There are alot of people out there of writing capable software as many open source projects have shown. There are not many people out there capable of designing hardware. Bug labs provides that service. They provide a base ARM CPU with all the other support you need (USB, ethernet, RAM, etc, etc). They also provide add on modules for extended functionality, including GPS, Wifi, LCD's, touch inputs, and many more. Check out their website to learn it all. Basically, you can buy their hardware, and then write your own code to build whatever you like.
@thenobleshrew Great to see a comment like this. Sometimes it seems that Engadget has become a entertainment site where every people is expecting the next big consumer device.
The joy of engineering is what makes these devices stand apart in the age of crippled hardware and software.
Im soooooo going to buy the 2.0 version. i love tinkering. and HD output. this is amazing. you can use this to build a robot. im going to have fun with this little bugger. ^_^_
Meh, it's just a Beagleboard for a lot more money in a shiny package.
Boi oh boi am i stoked about the 2.0 hardware. The new hardware should be cheaper if they took the engineering process seriously. I really hope they bring back the translucent white plastic, i really liked that look. or maybe translucent black. that would be sick. i cant wait to see the newly designed modules that should accompany the 2.0 hardware release. maybe they will create a landscape capacitive touch screen that would encompass the entire surface area of one side, for some intuitive android goodness. the prospect of this gives me butter fly's. lets cross our fingers. ^_^
Does anyone else wonder whether something like this would be good for in-car entertainment?
Picture something like this driving a single or double-DIN display and running Android. Out of the BOX you already have just about everything you need -- IIRC there are Android FM radio applications, there is the "car home" application, the Google navigation system, provisions for media playback, Bluetooth... I can't help but wonder why this hasn't already been done yet.
Bug Labs? BUGbase? Talking about EPIC naming failure :) At least they have an excuse if it doesn't work...
The Bug does include WiFi.
I don't see the point of bugbase. Its 450$ while beagleboard is only 150$