gPhone

Bug Labs will be introducing an innovative new device next month called the BUG. It is essentially a collection of hardware modules that can be connected in various ways to form new devices. The modules, called BUGmodules, are all built with open source software and include components such as GPS, digital/video camera, color touch LCD screen, accelerometer/motion sensor, and many more.

The foundation of the device is called Bugbase, a programmable and "hackable" Linux computer with a fast CPU, 128MB RAM, Ethernet, USB, WiFi, and a small LCD (see the tech specs. The base has four connectors which link with the Bugmodules, so the user can come up with any combination he

Earlier this week UBS analyst Benjamin Schachter confirmed the latest Google rumor that HTC, a Taiwanese handset manufacturer, will be shipping 50,000 handsets by the end of 2007. The handsets will be running on Google's mobile operating system. Of course the phones will not be available for the public to purchase. They are going to be “made available for developers so they can understand how the software works” and how best to code for what is most likely a Linux based environment according to Schachter.

Google's under the radar acquisition of the mobile software company Android in 2005 led to a maelstrom of rumors about the Google phone and a possible Google operating system. Although little is known about Android Inc., Andy Rubin, the founder of the outfit has described it as a mobile phone software developer. Before Android, Rubin founded the mobile device maker Danger Inc. Also, according to BusinessWeek, a source familiar with Android said that Android had been working on a software operating system for mobile phones prior to its acquisition by Google.

Currently held by analog TV broadcasters, the 700MHz spectrum will be handed over in 2009 when they make the required move to digital television. This boardwalk value of invisible real estate will be auctioned off by the FCC on Jan 16th 2008, setting the stage for a possible showdown between Google and Apple.

This scenario is far from fact, however. BusinessWeek recently reported that Steve Jobs & Co. have researched the implications of joining the auction, but such a move does not fit with Apple's traditional preference of the high margins that its computers, iPhones and iPods deliver. Taking on the 700Mhz spectrum would suck Apple into the low margin realm of provisioning wireless networks - dealing with