Ambient Information

Recently, we’ve seen an array of gadgets that either light up or change shape to communicate to the owner how much electricity is being used.  We love the idea of a non-tangible force, such as energy being communicated and displayed through physical changes. 

However, we just came across a new product that brings this idea to a whole new level.  The Ambient Orb takes the physical environment and uses it as an interface for nearly any type of digital information.

Users can program the Orb to monitor nearly anything:

For some it’s the status of their portfolio, or the health of an aging parent.  Others want to know if their friends are online, the upcoming weather, the score of a game, if the fish are biting, or if there’s heavy traffic on their drive home.

The Orb, one of several Ambient devices, monitors this information and signals any changes that occur through subtle changes in form, movement, sound, color or light - making wireless technology as easy to use as a clock.  It is this idea of converting non-tangible information into something that can be instantly and easily consumed that is inspiration behind the Ambient devices. 

Like clocks, ambient displays can be embedded in everyday objects to provide ‘glanceable’ access to the information customers care about most.

One future application in particular that caught our eye was the Ambient umbrella.  Still in
development, the handle of this umbrella will light up if rain is in the forecast. They are also working on an Ambient Clock, which provides a ‘glanceable’ view of your Google Calander.

The Clock receives updates via Ambient’s nationwide wireless network.  No cables, cords, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB or syncing setup required.  Heck, it even runs on AAAs, so you can stick it on your fridge.   

Ambient Devices