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Bug Labs' BUGswarm and Verizon BUGbundle hands-on
Remember Bug Labs, the guys building open-source hardware modules that make it easy (and relatively inexpensive) to prototype new gadgets of your own creation? The last time we visited with these guys at the spring CTIA show last year, the company's upgraded BUGbase 2.0 was still in mockup form -- and carrier deals were little more than a gleam in CEO Peter Semmelhack's eye. Nearly a year has passed since then, and Bug's ecosystem has grown considerably to encompass a bunch of third-party modules, prototyped products, and carrier-specific packs for Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon that let your meticulously hacked-together hardware communicate over the network of your choice. Of course, this all necessitated a follow-up meeting, which we were delighted to have at CES a couple days ago. Read on! %Gallery-113915%
Bug Labs' BUGbase 2.0 prototype hands-on
At first glance, Bug Labs' latest creation actually seems like a bit of a downgrade from the version it replaces -- it loses the onboard LCD display and a handful of buttons, after all -- but we sat down with CEO Peter Semmelhack today on the hustling, bustling floor of MWC to get the straight dope on what makes the BUGbase 2.0 a superior product. First of all, you can't overlook the fact that they've moved to a Cortex A8-based OMAP3530, an appreciable boost from the ARM11 core it replaces, but it turns out there are a whole bunch of subtler changes too, like the inclusion of on-board audio out (pictured above toward the left of the base), HD video out capability through a module, and a second microSD slot. Why two, you ask? Isn't 32GB of external storage enough? Probably, but Semmelhack points out that the second slot (covered behind a flap) is dedicated to loading the operating system, making it a trivial task to quickly switch between kernels or get unbricked. 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. %Gallery-85808%
Bug Labs intros BUG 2.0 platform with faster processor, Android support
Tired of your BUGBase lagging out while you're trying to set up that crazy homebrew alarm system? Hope is on the way in the form of BUG 2.0, Bug Labs' next-gen development platform that moves up to a Cortex A8-based OMAP3 core from the original BUGBase's ARM11. The processor bump isn't the only change, though: they're announcing full support for running BeagleBoard apps and -- get this -- Android. That means that you won't necessarily need to be locked into Bug's own development environment for doing your thing, and obviously, folks already familiar with Android development should have a much easier time making the transition. Even better, the base maintains backward compatibility with existing BUGmodules, so most of your current investment won't be for naught -- save the old base, of course. Price and availability are yet to be announced.
Send your 'Hiro P' BUGbase back, get a BUGbase WiFi for $99
If you classify yourself as a hardcore DIYer, you probably sprung for Bug Labs' 'Hiro P' BUGbase way back in the day. You've also likely been weeping since the entirely more awesome BUGbase WiFi was announced last month. Thankfully, you can now empty your current bucket of tears and stash it away for good, as a wicked good deal has just arrived to turn that frown upside-down. Bug Labs is offering the $449 BUGbase WiFi for just $99 if you send your original BUGbase back to the company before November ends. If you'd like to take advantage, feel free to hit up Bug and mention the offer being emailed out to existing users after the break.
BUGbase WiFi finally overcomes, ships in the US and Europe
It's hard to believe that BUG Labs has been helping tinkerers thinker for two whole years now, particularly when you realize that its BUGbase has been operating sans WiFi all along. At long last, after a painful battle with the licensing overlords connected to WiFi and Bluetooth, BUG has finally received approval to ship the BUGbase WiFi (which does BT as well) both here in the States as well as in Europe. Aside from those two huge additions, BUG also upgraded the device with a friction-fit docking connector and improved power management, not to mention a few subtle "under the hood" tweaks designed to make everyone's lives a little easier. Oh, and for existing BUGbase owners? A special BUGWiFi module will be shipping in a few weeks, and yes, all of BUG's other modules will be compatible with either base. Once you're done hopping around like a jovial schoolgirl, feel free to order your own BUGbase WiFi now for $449.
Bugbase WiFi module threatened by large yellow antenna at FCC
When the Hiro P BUGbase from Bug Labs shipped last year it did so without 802.11, leaving this piece of homebrewers hardware sadly disconnected from the groovy microwaves all around it. That looks set to change in the very near future with the FCC testing of the BUGwifi module, an add-on announced way back in January then never heard from again. There's still no word on when we might expect this stubby open wundermodule to start hosting wireless Guitar Quake deathmetalmatches, but things usually don't take long once the FCC has done its deed.
Bug Labs' Hiro P edition BUGbase kit gets unboxed
You may not be able to get your hands on one at the moment, but those that missed out on the initial shipment of Bug Labs' open source BUGbase Hiro P edition kit can now at least make believe like one arrived on their own doorstep, thanks to the set of unboxing photos kindly provided by Flickr user finsprings. That set also helpfully includes size comparisons to a Blackberry and a first gen iPod nano (the base is bigger than both, but not by as much as you may think), and of course plenty of shots of the packing itself. Check all that out at the read link below.[Thanks, Dave]
Bug Labs store open for business, BUGbundle unveiled for $549
We knew today was the day, and now Bug Labs has opened its doors and cautiously invited shoppers inside. Cautious because Bug doesn't really want non-developers snapping up the kit right now, since the hardware itself is pretty much useless to the proletariat at this point without any mature software, and there isn't a bunch of it go around. To kick things off, Bug Labs is also announcing the BUGbundle, which packages a BUGbase (the WiFi-free Hiro P edition), GPS, LCD, accelerometer and 2 megapixel camera for $549. Orders are limited to one per customer at this time, and educational promotions will be coming in March.
Bug Labs announces WiFi-free Hiro P BUGbase
Looks like Bug Labs is fixing to release its BUGbase in more than one version due to apparent issues related to solid, stable open source WiFi chipsets and drivers. Picking up the Hiro P Edition monicker (let's hope it doesn't snow crash), this revised first BUGbase will ship without 802.11, but adds a small joystick control, and as recompense for the wireless sacrifice, Hiro P owners will get a free BUGvonhippel module (the hardware breakout box, basically), and the option to snag a pluggable WiFi attachment on the cheap at a later time. For those who want to wait for the full, integrated-WiFi experience, Bug's not yet offering a set schedule for the "regular" base kit, but Hiro P goes on pre-sale at the Bug Labs store for the regular early adopter price this Monday.
Bug Labs announces price, release, and new BUGmodule
The moment hardware hackers have been waiting for: final price and release details of the Bug Labs BUGbase and BUGmodules. And even better for those enterprising early adopters, Bug is giving a discount to everyone who buys gear within the first 60 days. Here's the story: Pre-orders start Monday, January 21, 2008 Gear ships by Monday, March 17, 2008 BUGbase: $299 / $349 (early adopter price / regular price when bought after 60 days) Touchscreen LCD: $99 / $119 GPS: $79 / $99 Camera: $69 / $79 Motion/accelerometer: $49 / $59 New Von Hippel BUGmodule (adds interfaces and I/O ports for further hacking of the BUGbase) Bug is also launching BUG+EDU, promoting to the education-market (additional details to come)
Working Bug Labs hardware hands-on
As a publication whose bread and butter is handheld gadgets, we're obviously more than a little excited about Bug Labs' upcoming LEGO-style DIY electronics kit, which allows users to affix various modules to a small, open-source computer and create such magical products as a GPS-enabled digital camera with built in 3G modem and motion detector. While we've seen the hardware before -- including the BUGbase and current BUGmodules -- founder and CEO Peter Semmelhack invited us over today to check out some of the very first working applications, including the Linux-based PIM software you see running in the photos. Apparently we can expect pricing details shortly, as well as a demo of the final system in action, all leading up to an official launch before the end of the year. Check out the gallery below for even more hands-on action... %Gallery-10677%
Bug Labs BUGbase and BUGmodules hands-on
There's no doubt Bug Labs is getting closer to launching its open source modular gadget kits, but for those wondering when we'd see some physical hardware, today's your lucky day. We got a chance to check out an early BUGbase unit and the full complement of BUGmodules. While we didn't get to see it up and running, we did get to fool around with the whole experience of plugging (and unplugging) modules, and got a good feel for how things work. Some details: The BUGbase uses a bus with four module slots. Each module has a base size of 2 x 2-inches (meaning the BUGbase itself is ~4 x 2-inches). Multiple BUGbases can be physically conjoined and communicate wirelessly for greater than four simultaneous devices, but there is no system for bus expansion of a single BUGbase. While it can charge via USB, there's also a backup power input should you use the USB for an external peripheral. Bug settled on MMCmicro instead of microSD because it's open source. We're torn about this one. We get it, but really, who the hell has any MMCmicro cards laying around? Yeah, that's a standard camera mount you see on the side. Nice addition. The modules we looked at included a display, GPS receiver, motion detector, digital camera, and 3G radio. Obviously those are just a few listed on the site. The LCD module apparently uses the exact same QVGA LCD panel as the iPod classic. If that matters at all to you. The module plastics are colored according to purpose: input, output, or input-output. For example, the light blue modules are output only (like the 3G module above); dark blue modules are input-output (like a touchscreen), while white modules are input only (GPS receiver, etc.). Yeah, they made a Hiro Protagonist reference. Still no price / exact launch details, but we're obviously getting close. %Gallery-9625%%Gallery-9624%
Bug Labs fleshes out BUGbase, BUGmodule details
Bug Labs just threw the door wide open on its website, and is finally hitting us with the nitty gritty on its open source hardware modules. There are too many details to get into, but the BUGbase "foundation" module is boasting an ARM1136JF-S processor, 128MB of RAM, 802.11b/g WiFi, USB, Ethernet and a small LCD with button controls. There are four connectors on the BUGbase to plug into other modules, and plenty of support for cameras, networking, displays and the like. So far the confirmed modules include GPS, camera, touchscreen LCD and an accelerometer, while under "coming soon" we've got features like a double-width touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, audio speaker and mini jacks, and of course the all-important "teleporter" module. Bug Labs is still on the hunt for beta testers, so if you're not afraid of getting your hands dirty with an SDK and some halfway-there-hardware, be sure to hit 'em up.
