Figured I’d talk about some relatively new technology that I would love to get my hands on. So, in alphabetical order:
BUG Modules
BUG modules with BUG base
These little modular hardware components are designed with rapid prototyping in mind. So, what’s so great about them?
- Various modules and planned modules:
- Audio output
- Motion detection
- Zigbee
- Touchscreen
- GPS
- Java programmed. Java is a simple object-oriented language with large functionality, cross-platform performance, and a safety net to prevent new programmers from doing stupid things (like, wipe one’s harddrive as one can do with C/C++). It also prevents having to write each component in it’s own language
- There’s braille on the modules. While not very useful for most people, it is still a nice thing to do.
- Modules are just inserted into slots; no having to argue with wires and solder. Like electronic legos, I suppose.
- Education discount.
So, why don’t I already have these?
- Price. These things are $50-130 US a piece with the base module at a whopping $449. While I am paying for the convenience of prototyping, that’s still a lot of money considering that I (and I assume many people) would like several modules to create anything I want.
- Sharability. I have to expect other people to shell out the money if I want to share my applications. While Bug Labs promotes users to share code on it’s site, I still would like to actually see others use it.
littleBits
littleBits intro from ayah bdeir on Vimeo.
littleBits are a series of prebuilt circuitboards with components that magnetically snap together. Prevents the need to solder between boards to make connections and looks really child-friendly. Why do I want them?
- Simple design. I don’t know a lot about hardware (despite my research interests being mostly in hardware), and these seem like a safe way for me to get my feet wet.
- Outreach. These look like they would be a lot of fun for kids. While I know robots are interesting to many people, when I was little robots certainly weren’t for me (they didn’t come across as unusual or artistic enough for my tastes). These things look like they’d be more successful with atypical kids and super-hardware focused ones.
And why don’t I have them?
- Preorder without a set date. I don’t really have the time or money to tie up with a product that I don’t know when I will get it.
- Preorder without a set dollar amount. I don’t want to order something without knowing how much it will cost.
Nabaztag
Nabaztag showing colored LEDs and it's ears moving.
Created by French company Violet, Nabaztag is among the list of smart objects. This little electronic rabbit does reminders, does RSS updates, reads one version of RFID tags, and can send/receive messages from various sources. What’s the good:
- It’s a rabbit. I like rabbits.
- RFID tagging of objects and linking these to digital events sounds convenient to me.
- Programmable. It’s nice to have a pretty toy that I can modify.
- Not having to look at my email all the time. Having a device on the other side of a room tell me I have mail sounds a lot nicer than always having to be connected.
- It does ear tai chi.
- Reads RSS, sets alarms, checks email, can receive texts. Generally, it just does lots of communication
What’s the bad?
- The services are reliant on a database controlled by the company owner. I feel uncomfortable having data on another server and not knowing that I can be charged for services in the future.
- Violet went bankrupt. It was then bought by Mindscape (this past October actually). So, I don’t know what will become of the Nabaztag line.
Zii EGG
ZiiLABS, a subsidiary of Creative Technology, has been pushing the creation of it’s Zii processor, a stemcell-like multimedia-focused chip. Out of this is Zii EGG, a developer tool. What makes it interesting:
- 10 point multitouch screen
- 1080p output image
- 32 gigs of memory
- WiFi and Bluetooth wireless standards
- HD camera
- Accelerometer and GPS
- Text-to-Speech engine
And the not so great:
- Android isn’t fully operational so have to rely on ZiiLABS’ Plaszma SDK.
- Cell phone chip?! Seriously, this looks like a phone.
- $400 price tag. Yeah, I get that it’s intended for companies, but there’s a nice individual and educational marketability.
