I'm glad to see any type of open hardware; however, there is nothing intrinsically new about this hardware device. Essentially it is a commercial CCD or CMOS imager hooked up to an embedded Linux machine (such as a Beagle Board).<p>Something that would be <i>much</i> more exciting would be an open hardware initiative to build "computational cameras" -- such as ones that employ assorted pixel masks for high dynamic range or actuated imaging elements to produce flexible depth of field.<p>If you're into the idea of "computational cameras", there was a really cool plenary talk at a conference earlier this year -- check out some coverage at Hizook.com<p><a href="http://www.hizook.com/blog/2009/06/26/computational-cameras-exploiting-megapixels-and-computers-redefine-modern-camera" rel="nofollow">http://www.hizook.com/blog/2009/06/26/computational-cameras-...</a>