Bug Labs To Provide New Wireless Product Innovation Platform For Connected Devices

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and NEW YORK, NY — Verizon Wireless and Bug Labs announced today a strategic relationship that will enable product designers, software engineers and others to build, program and deploy innovative new wireless devices to be used on the Verizon Wireless network. Devices that use Verizon Wireless approved Bug Labs’ modules and that connect to the Verizon Wireless network via pre-approved Verizon Wireless Broadband Access cards or removable modems do not need to be submitted for any testing by Verizon Wireless before they may be activated on the Verizon Wireless network.

The BUG platform is a collection of discrete hardware modules, Verizon Wireless network-ready 3G modems, and associated software that can be easily combined and re-combined to create new, custom wireless devices. This device can then be used as the basis for more integrated and cost-efficient, high-volume production versions to help reduce the time and costs of getting to market. The BUG platform is constantly evolving to include new hardware modules to increase the flexibility of the platform.

“Verizon Wireless has a demonstrated commitment to innovation, and we’re excited to combine our open product development platform with the nation’s best wireless broadband network,” said Peter Semmelhack, founder and chief executive officer of Bug Labs. “With the BUG platform, developers can explore whole new categories of wireless devices and bring them to market quickly and cost effectively by accelerating development, deployment, production and certification.”

“The BUG platform is a natural addition to our open development program, and it’s an innovative option for developers. Verizon Wireless continues to open its network to support a vibrant ecosystem of both software and hardware developers, and we’re delighted to be working with Bug Labs to help us achieve that mission,” said Aparna Khurjekar, executive director of business solutions for Verizon Wireless.

To view video from the 2010 VDC Conference, visit http://verizonwireless.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=37565.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Bug Labs
Bug Labs is a new kind of technology company dedicated to helping engineers and developers conceive of, create and deploy new devices with ease. The company’s flagship offering, the BUG platform, is an open-sourced hardware platform comprised of a series of modules that can be combined with a ‘click’ to create new wireless devices. The core of the platform is the BUGbase, a powerful palm-sized computer with embedded WiFi and Bluetooth, that can be outfitted with a number of modules, including sensors, i/o adapters, GPS, LCD screens, camera, motion detectors and more, to create a single device or an army of prototypes. Bug Labs also provides software to customize and manage the newly created devices as well as professional services for custom development and production. To learn more about Bug Labs, please visit www.buglabs.com.

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