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Gadget Freak
Gadget Freak Case #213: Android Brings the Mirror to Life
5/14/2012

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Al Linke's Android controlled interactive mirror runs a number of Android apps, including Magic 8 Ball.
Al Linke's Android controlled interactive mirror runs a number of Android apps, including Magic 8 Ball.

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Al
User Rank
Iron
Re: Quirky, but fun
Al   5/16/2012 3:56:22 AM
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Yes I think so too. My original idea for this one was programmable art via a smart phone. The downside to the LED matrix technology is it's pretty low res (16 x 32 pixels in this case) but the LED effect is quite nice I think and it's a much lower profile than hanging a flat screen LCD on the wall. I have a supplier lined up and we've been talking about productizing this one so we'll see where it goes.

Charles Murray
User Rank
Blogger
Re: Quirky, but fun
Charles Murray   5/15/2012 7:50:06 PM
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You're right, bdcst, the applications here will likely extend far beyond the teen market.

Rob Spiegel
User Rank
Blogger
Re: Quirky, but fun
Rob Spiegel   5/15/2012 3:33:49 PM
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You're right, Bdcst, the smartphones are opening up tons of possibilities and opportunities. It's geart to see our young Gadget Freaks incorporating smartphones into their gadgets.

bdcst
User Rank
Platinum
Re: Quirky, but fun
bdcst   5/15/2012 10:05:43 AM
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That's a very neat toy with a potentially broader appeal than teenagers.  Heck, port the blue tooth connectivity to a digital snapshot picture frame, VGA or better resolution, and greatly expand the device's utility and marketability.  Mirror, mirror on the wall, show me the nicest pix of all.

As for smart phones and remote control, we're seeing lots of creative apps coming into being.  And there are may apps for engineers too.  Considering the computational power and graphics display capability of your typical Android or iPhone handset compared to desktop computers of only a decade ago and its no wonder we're seeing an explosion of software apps for everyone. 

The computer has gone from huge hall filling machines weighing many tons and drawing hundreds of kilowatts of electrical energy to more capable devices smaller than a shirt pocket!  And the distribution of this computational technology has gone from just few gold plated corporations to grade school kids!

Tool_maker
User Rank
Platinum
Re: Halloween
Tool_maker   5/15/2012 6:30:17 AM
Why limit the idea to halloween? Just think of the potential for phoney mdiums contacting the spirit world. This is a gadget that in the right/wrong hands has the potential to bilk thousands. Not to suggest that there are not good uses as well.

Al
User Rank
Iron
Re: Halloween
Al   5/14/2012 6:32:03 PM
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The Halloween gag is a great idea, one of the apps I wrote allows you to send still pictures from your phone. You could mount the mirror somewhere at the Halloween party and then send the pic from your phone when someone is in front of it.

Charles Murray
User Rank
Blogger
Re: Quirky, but fun
Charles Murray   5/14/2012 5:57:42 PM
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I agree, Beth. This is another Gadget Freak that actually has a niche application as a commercial product. I, too, could see this as an item for teens.

Rob Spiegel
User Rank
Blogger
Re: Quirky, but fun
Rob Spiegel   5/14/2012 2:39:16 PM
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Another cool thing about this gadget is that it has apps you can download. We're seeing more and more gadgets that involve smart phones. It's nice to see the gadget makers utilizing the computing power of these devices,

tekochip
User Rank
Platinum
Halloween
tekochip   5/14/2012 12:10:40 PM
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Don't forget about it, this would be a very cool Halloween gag.

Beth Stackpole
User Rank
Blogger
Quirky, but fun
Beth Stackpole   5/14/2012 7:22:02 AM
This would be a barnburner item for 12 year old girls, like my daughter and her friends. The perfect combination of technology, games, and mirrors. I'm scared to think of the hours they'd spend in front of this thing. Fun project.

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