Mar 11 2009

Weird Twitter Gadgets!

I just ran across a post on Digg in the technology group about gadgets and devices people have built that interface in some way with Twitter. Quoting from the article:

Its (Twitter’s) charm is that its usefulness is entirely open to interpretation – while many just don’t get it (including Google’s CEO), some use it purely for self-promotion, others to connect with their peers, others to tap breaking news long before mainstream media covers it, and then there’s the subset of users that like to build or hack devices to use its API. Read on to meet six devices (of varying usefulness) that use Twitter to communicate with their human overlords.

The following devices are listed in the story:

  • Tweet-a-Watt:  The Kill-a-Watt mod that broadcasts your power consumption.
  • Botanicalls:  Plant water sensor that tells you when your plant needs a drink.
  • Laundryroom:  A laundry room at Olin College that tells you how many washers/dryers are free.
  • TwiVo:  A TiVo that tells you when it’s finished recording.
  • A washing machine that Tweets you when it’s finished.
  • A robot that makes and delivers popcorn, that takes orders via Twitter.

Read the full story here…

Let us know what amazing devices you’ve interfaced with Twitter or any other Web service.


Jun 30 2007

A computer so small, it fits in a wall socket

From Gizmodo

The Jack PC
U.K. firm Jade Integration has unveiled a computer so small, it fits into a wall socket and is powered via Ethernet. The Jack PC, a rival to the smallest PC in the world, can hook up to a standard monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and runs Windows CE, the stripped-down version of Windows often used in portable devices. It comes with up to 64 MB of flash memory and 128 megs of RAM, so don’t expect to play Half-Life 2 on it, but it should be able to handle basic Internet functions decently. There’s no word on pricing yet, but the device gets its official release on June 15th at the IT Works Show in Newcastle.

Read full story at http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/pcs/jack-pc-the-wall-socket-pc-177564.php