Ambient Clock combines Google Calendar and analog timekeeping

Yes, we've seen the projection clock, the pong clock and the venerable atomic clock, but leave it to our pals at Ambient Devices to come up with a way to combine a chronometer with a glanceable display, not unlike their previous orb and analog dial panel. Assuming that you keep your schedule in Google Calendar (and really, who doesn't these days?), you can link it up the Ambient Clock (via Ambient's "nationwide wireless network") to find out what your schedule is. Meaning, a quick glance will help determine when you have scheduled events (the block rectangles on the clock) and the clock itself will change color if you have an upcoming appointment. As of right now the Ambient Clock isn't actually in production, although there is an online beta so you can get a feel for the features and help the engineers decide certain aspects of the build. Still, we're not convinced that this will revolutionize time management, but if you have a penchant for post-modern analog clocks, then maybe you'll appreciate it.

[Matt @ Oct 23rd 2006 9:45PM]

awesome im going to buy one and set it to the time that bush gets out of office!

[mahmud @ Oct 24th 2006 5:50PM]

great idea, i shall now do the same, that day isn't coming soon enough.

[Curtis Estridge @ Oct 23rd 2006 9:48PM]

looks cool!

[ryan @ Oct 23rd 2006 9:53PM]

What? That doesn't even make sense.

[the antique @ Oct 23rd 2006 10:17PM]

site down'd!

[_habit_ @ Oct 23rd 2006 10:29PM]

It's a nice sounding idea, but it won't sell that well, in this day of cellphone/palm pilots (are they still called that?).

[Andrew @ Oct 23rd 2006 10:46PM]

haha the pong clock, how did i miss that?
btw. they have a free screensaver for those who aren't going to buy the actual clock.

[Nomi @ Oct 24th 2006 12:29AM]

The website is giving '500' error.

[Brandon @ Oct 24th 2006 1:11AM]

Site down!

[Pat @ Oct 24th 2006 1:40AM]

I'd buy one assuming they are

[Greg Mcp @ Oct 24th 2006 4:58AM]

When these sort of things get cheap and user tested beyond the novelty stage, it will make for a very interesting household.

Set up a wireless router, and your house gets a quite interactive.

[Bazza @ Oct 24th 2006 5:32AM]

"and really, who doesn't these days?"

i dont, my cellphone does that very well.

[Tech^Cellfish @ Oct 24th 2006 8:25AM]

Sync :)

[sanj @ Oct 24th 2006 9:29AM]

It ain't about the super technodweebs like us. It is about setting it up, ONCE for your grandma!

[TIMMAH! @ Oct 24th 2006 12:51PM]

No doubt with yet another monthly fee... (didn't see anything about costs on their site, but how do you maintain a 'nationwide wireless network' for free --- VC money is going to dry up eventually...)

[Jim Smith @ Dec 1st 2006 6:09AM]

AAH...good point, alas if you had read the blurb on the Ambient site you would kniow that their patented technology means they can compress the data so that they can deliver an update to 94 devices at once in one message!!

[victor @ Oct 24th 2006 9:48PM]

they charge a fee, but for some it's worth it. like SPOT watches (stop laughing!), some find the instant readout handy, and Ambient does a neat trick of making it a little more aesthetically pleasing. The orb is really pretty neat-o if you use it for things like IM or pollen count.

[David @ Oct 25th 2006 12:46AM]

The team at Ambient is looking for YOUR feedback on the device design. Do you prefer a radial schedule wrapped around the clock or a horizontal, or vertical like most calendar programs?

http://www.ambientclock.com/ambiclock/alternates

Would you use it on your desk at work, stick it to the fridge (it's magnetic), or put it on a bedside table to show when you need to leave? The little dots show drive-time if you geo-code your events.

Thanks for the feedback!
David

[Victor @ Oct 25th 2006 2:33PM]

Broken link.

[tommyrott @ Oct 28th 2006 5:17PM]

looks quite good
i'll try it if i have the chance

[wysper @ Nov 8th 2006 6:50PM]

Doesnt seem to work for me.
Got google, got the clock, doesnt sync or work.

otherwise I like the idea.

[Jimmy @ Nov 20th 2006 10:56AM]

Nice lookin clock there, but can you see it in the dark??

[Jimmy @ Nov 20th 2006 11:00AM]

So what is da market price for this brand new invention clock?

http://watchntime.wordpress.com/