Key Takeaways
1. Basic Functionality: The Busy Bar indicates “Busy” status with two screens and features a timer, personalized messages, and connectivity to phones or computers.
2. App Integration: It can display data from various apps, mute notifications during busy times, and block distracting apps via a companion app for multiple platforms.
3. Smart Home Compatibility: The device supports smart home integration, allowing it to trigger actions on connected devices like lights and speakers based on its status.
4. Mounting and Battery: The Busy Bar offers versatile mounting options, has an 8-hour battery life, and supports USB-C fast charging, with a standby time of up to 2 weeks.
5. Pricing and Availability: Priced at $249, the Busy Bar comes with necessary accessories but requires users to provide their own charger.
The Busy Bar is a new gadget from Flipper Devices, known for their Flipper Zero multi-tool. It’s called “a productivity multi-tool device” and has two screens that indicate when someone is busy. But this device has a lot more capabilities than just that.
Features Right Out of the Box
As soon as you take the Busy Bar out of its packaging, you can power it up to show a “Busy” status. Users can also utilize the scroll wheel to display a timer, indicating how long they’ve been busy. Additionally, it lets you present a personalized message or connect it to your phone or computer. When linked to a computer, the Busy Bar changes to an “On Call” status whenever the microphone or camera is in use.
App Integration and Notifications
The Busy Bar can show data from various applications and software, including weather and clock apps, as well as metrics from platforms like YouTube and Instagram. There is a companion app available for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS for download. When linked with a phone or PC, it can mute notifications automatically during busy times. Users also have the ability to block certain apps to limit distractions until the timer goes off.
Smart Home Support and Customization
Flipper Devices have integrated support for smart home devices, compatible with Matter and Home Assistant. This means that when the Busy Bar is in use, it can trigger actions on connected devices like smart speakers, locks, and lights. You can even set it to show a message when your washing machine finishes a load.
The Busy Bar features a primary 72 x 16 dot matrix (RGB) display on the front and a smaller 1.54-inch 160 x 80 monochrome display on the back side. On top, there’s a large trapezoidal button for start and pause, a mode selector, a knob for timer settings, and a back button highlighted in orange.
Versatile Mounting Options and Battery Life
You can mount the Busy Bar on a monitor, set it on your desk, or attach it to a wall or door. It houses a 3,250mAh rechargeable battery that offers up to 8 hours of operation and can stay on standby for as long as 2 weeks. It charges through USB-C and supports 15W fast charging. Also, the Busy Bar includes an open HTTP (offline) API, enabling users to incorporate it into their own projects.
The pricing for the Busy Bar is set at $249, and it’s currently available for purchase. It comes with mounting accessories and a USB-C cable, but users will need to supply their own charger.
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