The International 200 CES is by far the best gadget show around and of course you know that. You can find anything and everything, but how would you like to make your own? Well my little friend now you can make anything your little heart can think of from photo to GPS unit thanks to the people from Bug Labs.

Picture an open source hardware platform that allows you to hack to your hearts content. The “BugBase” allows you to do just that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured above is the foundation of your BUG device and hold on because here’s what you get:

• A fully programmable and “hackable” Linux computer, equipped with a fast CPU, 128MB RAM
• Built-in WiFi
• A rechargeable battery
• USB, Ethernet, and a small LCD with button controls.

It also has a tripod mount for ease of use I suppose. You get all this gadget goodness for $299.00 not including the modules. The java based software if free from the Buglabs.net website. The modules sold separately start at $69 and only go up to $99. a reasonable cost for a unit you can use to build just about anything you can imagine.

The BUGbase houses four connectors for users to combine any assortment of BUGmodules to create their ultimate gadget. Ever wanted to do GPS photo blogging? Then snap on the GPS module and the photo module and write the program to make it work. The software seems to be easy enough for the novice coder to pick up on and start programming away.

The Modules & Base

BJ normally wouldn’t get this excited about something like this but this product is truly something special and has the potential to change the way we look at home brew in the future. Look for something more from Buglab’s in the upcoming weeks, and make sure to visit their website.

Okay I was just able to hear the sound quality of this amazing speaker firsthand (Actually over the phone from one of my people on the ground at 2008 CES) and it’s amazing! We have already contacted Kicker about doing a giveaway so please don’t wait until the last minute to join the site. The zK500 is going to be priced around $350 when it officially launches in March.  Now that may be March 2009 but that has not been confirmed.  From what I’ve heard it’s worth the price and the wait.

One of KICKER’S most powerful MP3 docking stations on the market, the “zKICK” lets you get more out of your MP3 player than ever before. Bass and treble adjustment allow users to enjoy their music the way they want. The big, bumping speakers, five-inch woofers, and 40-watt stereo amplifiers deliver the kind of crisp, powerful sound you expect from a KICKER product. KICKER’s patent-pending six-inch square reflex subwoofer delivers a dynamic bass response unmatched by other MP3 docking stations.
Equipped for any setting, the zK500 includes a credit-card-size infrared remote, allowing you to navigate with ease through the stereo system menu. The innovative remote lets you adjust the stereo system’s bass, treble, and auxiliary-in options, as well as the Zune menu directories. Select standby mode to continue charging your MP3 player even when it’s powered down.
A minijack input also lets you connect additional media to the stereo system, including other MP3 and compact-disc players, as well as desktop and laptop computers, or satellite radio. With adapters fit for all Zune models, the zK500 delivers a complete entertainment experience.

Thanks to the guys at cliczune.com for the great photo. My human onsite only had him crappy camera phone.

Ok they look a little funny… Well they look a lot funny but they are really interesting and who doesn’t want to roll around on automatic skates. Remember back in the early 80′tys after school watching The Jetson’s and thinking how cool it would be if you were Elroy? Well this is your chance to flex your inner Jetson and roll around your town or office.

I guess this opens up the question of fitness and health in the future. I’ve noticed that humans are fatter than ever and it’s only getting worse. Do you hairless monkey’s really need something to schlep you back and forth from place to place when walking would be so much better for you. I don’t know but outside of that the iShoe totally rocks! We are in the process of talking with them about a givaway following CES so look out for some people mover goodness.

Information mostly from the Microsoft Press release

Hollywood Heavyweights on Xbox LIVE

Published January 6, 2008

Las Vegas —Xbox LIVE® Marketplace, the leading high-definition video-on-demand service, is expanding once again, adding content from two major entertainment partners. Microsoft Corp. today announced at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that Disney-ABC Television Group and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) will be joining the more than 35 networks and studios offering U.S. Xbox LIVE members premium entertainment content via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store.

“The Video Store on Xbox LIVE has proven
to be very successful, and we are excited
that MGM will be a partner in 2008.”
—Jim Packer, MGM

“Disney-ABC Television Group and MGM are two of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, and this announcement helps continue to evolve and diversify the content offering on Xbox LIVE,” said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “The ability to offer such great content in high definition further expands Microsoft’s commitment to connected entertainment with Xbox 360.”

Ten Million Member Milestone

The Xbox LIVE community continues to grow, reaching the milestone of ten million subscribers, a full six months ahead of schedule. Xbox LIVE connects millions of members across 26 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, TV shows and movies in the United States as well as extra game content like new levels, characters, and vehicles for all their favorite retail games.

The Video Store in Xbox LIVE Marketplace is the leading provider of high-definition video on demand, offering movies for video on demand and TV shows and music videos for electronic sell-through. With more than 3,500 hours of premium entertainment content from more than 35 studios and networks, Xbox LIVE Marketplace helps make Xbox 360 the center of connected entertainment in the living room.

ABC and Disney

Later this month, all U.S. Xbox LIVE members will begin to have access to select TV shows and movies from the ABC Television Network, ABC Family, ABC News, Disney Channel and Toon Disney as part of an agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group. More than 500 hours of content, in both standard definition and high definition when available, will be offered including hit ABC Television shows Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, and Desperate Housewives.

Past and current ABC shows will be available on demand, with new episodes arriving on the service the day after they air on television. A variety of award-winning ABC News broadcasts and specials from its unparalleled archive dating back to 1963 and containing priceless interviews, stories and historical moments will be available for download as well.

Viewers will also be able to enjoy shows from ABC Family, such as Kyle XY and Greek, as well as popular Disney Channel series including Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and select Disney Channel Original Movies such as High School Musical and High School Musical 2.

“As a company dedicated to providing consumers with a variety of high-quality entertainment and news content that they can view at their convenience, regardless of time, place or platform, we are very excited to bring our programming to Xbox LIVE members,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney-ABC Television Group. “This new agreement will not only provide incremental viewing opportunities, but also provides a wealth of promotional opportunities to further awareness of our shows and brands.”

MGM Library

MGM will be bringing its legendary movie library to the service, with classic films ranging from the Rocky series to Dances with Wolves. Action-thrillers such as Terminator, Silence of the Lambs, and The Amityville Horror, comedies and broad-appeal titles such as Legally Blonde, Barbershop, and Agent Cody Banks, and award-winning films such as Platoon, Rain Man, and The Usual Suspects highlight the diverse launch lineup. United Artists, an MGM sister company, will be making films available as well. Many titles offered by MGM will be available in high definition.

“The Video Store on Xbox LIVE Marketplace has proven to be very successful, and we are excited that MGM will be a partner in 2008,” said Jim Packer, co-president of Worldwide Television at MGM. “At MGM we are always looking for new ways to reach our broad audience, and partnering with Microsoft allows us to make our legendary library available to the millions of Xbox LIVE members here in the U.S.”

LG and some other vendors at CES are using slight of hand. No their not doing magic but putting there hands out in front of the products and asking journalist not to take pictures. The guys over at TechCrunch report they got the “Stiff Arm” at the LG booth when trying to photograph a prototype watch- phone…no phone -watch…not iPhone…oops that one is taken. I think you get it they have some new phone/watch combo thing coming out soon and didn’t want pictures to leak out.

Sorry LG pictures are already out and I should have them posted soon. Well not really but I thought it would be pretty funny if I had them. LG is not alone I’ve heard reports from a few other journalist some others I won’t mention are doing the same thing. I don’t have any proof of that so I won’t name companies, but the picture on TC’s website says it all.

It’s pretty funny BJ’s never been stiff armed