The Busy Bar Is a Gadget to Get People to Leave You Alone
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Flipper Devices has released the 'Busy Bar,' a $249 hardware gadget designed to signal to others that the user is busy. The product is a departure from the company's previous controversial hacking tools, though it faces skepticism regarding its utility compared to software-based solutions.
Why it matters
It illustrates the trend of 'analog' hardware solutions being marketed to solve digital-age productivity and distraction problems.
This is where Flipper’s Busy Bar comes in, a hardware clock with an LED screen that doubles as a clock and a dedicated timer. Slap the big button in the middle, and the screen displays a bright red “BUSY” sign or another message that lets the people around you know you’re, well, busy. (Maybe try “GO AWAY” or “GET OUT OF MY ROOM, MOM.”) The bar goes on sale today and costs $249.
The article provides a balanced view, describing the product's function while acknowledging the company's controversial history.
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