On June 14, London-based Flipper Devices unveiled its latest innovation, the Busy Bar, a customizable display designed to boost productivity. This novel device allows users to set timers, block apps, and display personalized messages and widgets on a vibrant LED display. Following its initial announcement last year, the Busy Bar is now available for open sale starting next month. The device boasts a sleek design, featuring a 72×16 LED matrix display with adjustable brightness, a monochrome screen, and a small speaker for custom sounds and notifications.
The Busy Bar is equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB connection options, and its 3250 mAh battery provides up to eight hours of active use and two weeks of standby time. Users can fully charge the device in just one hour using a 15W adapter. The concept behind the Busy Bar is to enable users to indicate their busy status to others, making it an ideal tool for work-from-home setups. Additionally, the device supports Pomodoro-style timers for focused work sessions.
Flipper Devices is releasing companion apps for iOS, Android, and macOS, with a Windows app in the pipeline. The device integrates with smart home systems, allowing users to trigger automations based on its status. Developers can customize the Busy Bar using open firmware, HTTP API, MQTT, and official libraries. The first 3,000 users on the waitlist can purchase the device for $199, while others will need to pay $249. Shipping and sales commence on July 14 in the US, EU, UK, and Canada, with accessories like wall mounts and screen protectors to follow.
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📰 Source: TechCrunch