The BUG

It runs Linux, has a GPS, camera, motion detector and colour touchscreen, and it is totally hackable!
The BUG is an integrated Linux machine that takes up to four external modules that supply different functionality. Each of these modules plug in to the basic unit. When plugged in to the basic unit, the modules bring out their functionality as a kernel device and thru a Java API. The idea is that you write a computer program that mixes these functions into effective, or merely entertaining, applications. The BUG is a assembling of easy-to-use electronic modules that snap collectively to make any gadget you could think. All BUGmodule corresponds a particular gadget function (instance: a camera, a keyboard, a video output, etc.). You determine which functions to include and BUG takes care of the rest, allowing you try out another combinations. The basic unit is just 5-inches wide, 2.5-inches deep, and less than half an inch thick. There are two module interfaces on top of the unit and two interfaces on the bottom of the unit. With each four modules installed, the entirely unit accommodates in the palm of your hand and is about the size of a large digital camera. The Web site points that the camera module can output still frames or MPEG video at ten frames per second. The unit goes with an LCD status display, four software-definable buttons, two menu buttons, a USBtoGo interface and a piezo speaker unit—each of this and a tripod mount. The unit also goes with a 512MB MMCmicro memory card installed, that this is where the BUG stores its root filesystem. The root image takes only about 30MB of the available 512MB, so there should be enough of space for user programs, pictures and data. None of the buttons are marked, nor are any of the modules, although the modules do sport some Braille marking. This doesn’t make the unit hard to use, but it does make for a clean display. It also gives up the possibility for chassis adjustment, which rewards the idea that the BUG places the user in control.