One of the projects leads of the Apple iPod has come up with a novel design for a household thermostat. Tony Fadell’s Nest thermostat has the brains of a smartphone and the looks of a product made by Apple. Instead of complex programming steps, the device learns from every day use. It can be controlled from an iPhone or iPad and through a computer. It will be interesting to see if this product really catches on. Optimal adjustments to the temperature in a home can potentially save a lot of energy. There also seems to be ample R&D and funds behind the product. Just purchasing the domain nest.com was probably quite an investment. The Nest thermostat should be available for sale late this year for $249.
Social product development
Developing a new product is a costly and time consuming enterprise. It requires countless hours of research, prototype creation, and plenty of funds for materials and legal fees if attempting to patent the idea. Quirky has come up with a different approach. They have a network of over 30,000 volunteers that can help influence to improve and eventually launch a product. The process starts by someone submitting an idea. The concept is then presented to the community for feedback. The best ideas are selected to move on to actual product development, design, and branding. Continue reading “Social product development”
Opt out of your phone book
Almost as long as there has been phones, there have been phone books. In today’s technology age, the thick yellow and white books were replaced by Google searches. It is just more efficient and convenient to search online or visit a website for information about a place or business than searching an old fashioned paper phone book. According to statistics, the demand for phone book has declined by almost 30% in during the last five years. Continue reading “Opt out of your phone book”
A virtual keyboard and remote control
Computers are more and more forming part of a home entertainment system. An Apple Mac mini for example now comes with an HDMI connector and supports native HDTV resolutions. It is often cumbersome to have to deal with a traditional keyboard and mouse in the family room. A great alternative is the Mobile Mouse Pro application. It allows for wireless remote control of a Windows or Mac computer using an iPhone. The application works in tandem with a program that runs on the computer being controlled. It is a great buy for $1.99 at the iTunes store. Continue reading “A virtual keyboard and remote control”
Forget sharpeners, use a liquid pencil
Since their introduction in 1964, Sharpie’s have been a useful marking tool. They come in several varieties and are used to permanently mark many types of surfaces. Sanford, the makers of Shapies, recently introduced an innovative “liquid pencil“. It is like using an ink pen, except with all the benefits of writing with a pencil. It uses a new liquid graphite technology that is very durable and equivalent to a #2 lead. Forget broken leads and no more sharpening. It is also refillable. A valuable tool for those unending math tests.