Gadget Gurus - Bug Labs - For the Inventor in All of Us

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Bug Labs - For the Inventor in All of Us

Written by Rich McComas

The guys at Bug Labs never grew up. As children, they were the kinds of kids that were more likely to tear apart a toy to see how it was made than to actually play with it. As adults, they want to build their own toys.

The heart of the BUG system is an open source Linux computer called the "Bug Base" which is a computer about the size of a checkbook that controls all of the modules and features of the toy. A full computer with 128MB of RAM, the Bugbase can be expanded by easily attaching either USB or ethernet devices, or by snapping in any of the bug-created modules, including a screen display, a camera, a motion sensor, and a GPS receivor (more modules coming soon).

The bug system can either be attached via a tri-pod mount or their own snap-mounts to any other device, such as a movable robotic platform.

What you do with the bug is up to the creativity of the owner, and since it is based on an open-source model, the creativity of all owners will likely be shared. Building your bug, in the short term, will be as simple as snapping together all of the pieces you want, and then uploading software and customizing it to suit the features you would like to see on your new toy.

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TECH2 LAKE HOUSE

UPDATE - The exterior of the Technology Lake House is complete and we are now working on interior finishing and electronics. Last year, San Francisco's Channel 7 ABC News ran a special video report on the construction progress of the Technology Lake House, and we expect them back for a follow-up soon. Click HERE for a DLINK Live Video Feed with pan and zoom features (userid=user, no password, daylight hours only).

Ron Rosberg's current project home, the Technology Lake House, is currently under construction on the shores of Clearlake in Northern California. Even though the house is a wireless demo house, we have installed more than seven miles of wires in the walls for dozens of flat panel TVs, speakers, control panels, and sophisticated lighting. So far, more than a dozen technology and fixture manufacturers have agreed to sponsor this project, which has been simmering in Ron's head since he attended the first CES show in New York in 1967. The 7,500 square foot project (plus three existing rustic cabin guest houses) is being built on a five-acre Honeymoon Cove resort with 500 feet of beach directly across from Konocti Harbor Resort. This summer retreat will host technology gatherings annually, inviting Western states home builders, contractors, and technology consultants for a live open house showcasing the latest in home technologies. There is room to park plenty of boats, so plan on coming up for some lake fun after the project is complete. For more info, send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 707-995-2683. To see the latest photos, visit Ron's Flickr gallery.

We are currently looking for products to evaluate in these areas:

Home automation: lighting, security, and entertainment
A/V technology for the 500 SF home theater media demo room

Hot News on Cool New Features: The ENTIRE front of the home is made of 21 sliding NanaWall glass panels that fold into the walls, opening the entire home up to the lake during demo days.

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Gadget Gurus technology reviews are heard and read by millions of people across the United States, including more than a dozen print publications, dozens of tier-one radio stations, on third-party websites, and more than ever, online at our own website.

NEWS: This year, you will see a number of exciting announcements from Gadget Gurus, including podcasts, our syndicated "Gadgets-in-a-Minute" broadcasts, and our ever-expanding "Best Of" lists. Also, you will be seeing our portfolio of magazine "gadget pages" growing into a number of vertical markets.