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BUG - "The LEGO of Gadgets"

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the well-it-looks-neat-at-least dept.

TheBrutalTruth writes "Bug Labs will soon be launching what Webware calls 'the LEGO of gadgets.' From their site: 'BUG is a collection of easy-to-use electronic modules that snap together to build any gadget you can imagine. Each BUGmodule represents a specific gadget function (ex: a camera, a keyboard, a video output, etc). You decide which functions to include and BUG takes care of the rest, letting you try out different combinations quickly and easily. With BUG and the integrated programming environment/web community (BUGnet), anyone can build, program, and share innovative devices and applications. We don't define the final products — you do.'" Looks a bit vaporous, but conceptually interesting.

2 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Re:more interesting.. by Aladrin · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Wouldn't that mean more work to get them to work together, though? Their idea is that each component will know how to interface (dare I say synergize?) with every other. That's hard enough as it is, but figuring out how to make even lower-level components work together is harder yet.

    The 'cool' part of this tech is using devices together in a way not previously considered... But the devices wouldn't know how to do that. There's have to be special software written. I wonder if it's got an open source OS or anything? It could make or break this product.

    And other than the fact that they snap on like LEGO, how is this any different than a computer with USB devices?

    --
    "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
  2. Re:Excellent for the Hobbist by slas6654 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I thought this thru a while ago. I really wanted to do hobby electronics but products like this (BUG) were all very high level. The product I have come to love is the Parallax Javelin Stamp Developers Kit.

    Here's what you get:
    - Developer's Electonics Breadboard
    - JVM on a Chip
    - Every peripheral device under the sun that can talk via RS232
    - Java IDE with realtime debugging
    - Ability to program and download java boot classes onto a SD chip
    - Completely "open source"

    Check it out: http://www.parallax.com/ProductInfo/JavelinStampGeneralInformation/tabid/255/Default.aspx [parallax.com]