This may not be the One Ring to rule them all, but it could definitely allow you to have the power of controlling many devices with the flick of your finger. Logbar’s Ring is a Bluetooth device fitted with an accelerometer that is capable of recognizing finger gestures. Depending on the gestures you make, you have the ability to send texts, turn on your music, and check emails just by simply writing in the air.
The Ring will alert you of new texts and emails by either vibration or LED lights that light up on the side of the Ring. According to Logbar, the Ring can perform up to 1000 gestures before the battery needs to be recharged. There are so many “pros” to this device it’s hard to tell you about them all in this article. Here is the Kickstarter video that shows all the amazing things this little device can do. But you know us, we had to find some “cons” and here are a couple. One, you cannot get it wet. So if you are an avid hand washer you will have to remember to remove the Ring and then remember to put it back on. Two, once the battery wears out, it’s all done. There is no way to replace the battery, so you will just need to replace the entire device for a mere $150.
As of right now, the Ring is compatible with iOS and Android devices, but they do have plans to release a Windows Phone version in the future. Their Kickstarter campaign has 29 days left and has currently doubled its goal of $250,000. If you would like to be one of the first to own your own “Precious”, sign up on their Kickstarter and donate a minimum of $165 and you will have one in your possession by June 2014.
If you hate having to make awkward small talk when you meet new people in a bar or party, Logbar might just be your next destination. Logbar is a new concept that attempts to make the bar experience more social and open by allowing customers to interact with each other through creating, promoting and selling their own original cocktails. Open on Monday evenings in their Shibuya location, Logbar is an experiment that re-imagines how we meet and interact with strangers on a night out.
Upon entering, customers are each presented with an iPad mini that they keep for the duration of the night. First-time customers create their own profiles, which store personalised information like their favourite foods, current mood and hobbies, as well as their drink preferences. Then of course, there is the obligatory profile photo. The staff will even supply a desk light to ensure a well lit photo.
A number of different bases, modifiers and flavourings including whisky, green tea liquor and even flower petals among others are available to create custom drinks. For that extra something, collagen powder, vitamin C, and dietary fibre are also on offer.
Once a drink has been created, customers can choose their own catchy name, description and photo to accompany the mix. The drink is then posted to a public timeline where other patrons can order your special concoction. On the particular night we went, creations such as ‘The Eiffel Tower’, ‘Caffeine Explosion’ and ‘Anti-Aging MalibuOR’ were on offer. If a custom drink looks and sounds appealing enough, other customers might buy the drink, and the creator receives a 50 yen commission.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of this system is that it is all supported by a platform that utilises features of social networking services to encourage interaction in a uniquely “digital” way. Custom drinks can be ordered by, commented on, and even “liked” by other people in the bar.
Customers can also suggests topics to talk about with everyone on the main timeline, and send chocolates as virtual gifts to each other. Each customer starts off with 5 complimentary chocolates, which can then be traded or converted into the real deal.
Although we were initially a little skeptical of how interesting using the Logbar system would be, it was quite surprising how much fun we had just playing around with our own creations, and being constantly updated on what the people around us were doing.
While the system does make social interaction smoother initially, having an iPad in front of you the whole time does mean that you are going to be engrossed in using it. There were a few times where it seemed like the entire bar fell into silence because everyone was engrossed in fiddling with their iPads. There is definitely a question concerning the kind of interaction systems like Longbar enhance, and this mirrors broader discussions on the types of relationships fostered by social networking services (SNS).
Logbar seems well suited to situations where there is a lot of casual interaction, as it simplifies the task of approaching someone you don’t know. Although it is a good way to meet new people, for a small group of friends on a night out, for example, it might not be the best way to catch up.
It would be interesting to see how this kind of system could be applied to a different range of contexts. For example, it is easy to imagine how Logbar could be used to enhance dating services like speed dating, where the system’s easy communication style and gift-giving features could really add a fun element that enlivens the atmosphere.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
This may not be the One Ring to rule them all, but it could definitely allow you to have the power of controlling many devices with the flick of your finger. Logbar’s Ring is a Bluetooth device fitted with an accelerometer that is capable of recognizing finger gestures. Depending on the gestures you make, you have the ability to send texts, turn on your music, and check emails just by simply writing in the air.
