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The BUGbase is a tiny Linux computer which comes with 4 slots for add-ons. The base unit features Bluetooth, a chunky rechargeable battery, USB, Ethernet, microSD slot and a tripod mount, and you can add modules to beef it up with things like GPS, WiFi, colour touchscreen, audio and motion sensing.
What’s really interesting about this $449.00 open source hardware, however, is that any day now a new 3G GSM module is going to hit the deck, which will effectively give you the power to build your own mobile phone. Sure it’s clunky, expensive and likely to be a pain to configure, but think of the future, peeps, when the components get smaller, the software simpler and pricing…well…you know the story. Very interesting.
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.
About the Author:
Nigel is the managing editor of the Red Ferret, as well as a freelance columnist for the Sunday Times newspaper in London. Loves tech and fancies himself as a bit of a futurist, but then don't we all?
Nigel – who has written 5153 posts on The Red Ferret Journal.
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