The creators of the hacker multi-tool Flipper Zero have introduced a new device. The smart Busy Bar is designed to increase the owner’s work productivity and reduce distractions. It is a customizable low-resolution display that connects to applications and signals to others about the owner’s work status.
Image source: busy.bar
At its most basic, the Busy Bar is a large timer with an eight-hour battery and a 72 x 16-pixel LED screen on the front; it displays preset or user-defined messages and a countdown timer. A large button on the top selects a status such as Busy or On Call, and a dial sets the timer so that those around you know when to disturb you.
The Busy Bar can be placed on a table, hung on a wall, or mounted on a monitor using the folding stand on the bottom. It faces the owner with its back side, where there is an additional monochrome screen that displays the status, as well as status icons for battery charging and wireless signal strength. The device can be connected to a local network via Wi-Fi or to a PC via USB Type-C; its operation is automated using a mobile app or a program for a computer. When exiting Zoom, the board can automatically display the status “On a call” or show “Don’t enter” if a meeting is scheduled in the calendar.
Busy Bar supports the standard Matter smart home protocol, allowing it to work in conjunction with smart devices. When a meeting starts, the board can lock the office with a smart lock, turn off the music on the smart speaker, and adjust the lighting so that the owner looks better on camera. By installing the Busy mobile app, you can control some of the smartphone’s functions through the smart board: if the owner is “Busy”, notifications are blocked on the iPhone or Android device and access to entertainment apps such as TikTok and Instagram is limited
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If you have the skills of a software developer, you can use the open SDK and expand the capabilities of Busy Bar: display stock quotes or the number of subscribers in social networks. The device is compatible with the Home Assistant smart home platform – the display can warn, for example, when the laundry has finished drying. Busy Bar is priced at $249.