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MARCH 3, 2005 at 5:03 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Microsoft via MuggleNet
It would seem that the folks over at Microsoft have been reading the Harry Potter books to get ideas. At the Microsoft Techfest, an annual science fair, a digital wall clock
with hands for each member of the family instead of numbers made its debut. The hands of the clock point to home, school, work and mobile.
The clock won't be for sale anytime soon and was designed to expose employees to projects in development.
On another note, researchers and engineers from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a "plamonic cover" which is similar to an invisibility cloak also from the Harry Potter series. This version of the cloak works by preventing objects from reflecting and scattering light.
The development, which works by preventing objects from reflecting and scattering light, could have widespread use in the military as it would be more effective than current stealth technology.
I guess reading and watching Philosopher's Stone and Chambers of Secrets helps everyone.
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226-250 251-257
Witch
Points: 790
The Flying Ford Anglia says:
The clock sounds really cute. As for the invisibility cloak, I think it's so cool it's unbelievable. That could be really useful, if it really worked, that is.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:28 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 33
Angel of Music says:
Haha thats awesome, it knew it was only a matter of time until the muggle world caught up with the wizarding world. I could use an invisibility cloak, it would sure come in handy!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:31 PM EST
Ethereal Fairy
Points: 3077
harrypotterfreak_4life says:
Yeah Harry Potter has been inspiring ideas since it came out. Just glad people finally realized it.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 862
Teneil_Bonnie says:
Thats awesome. See theres a little bit of Harry Potter in all of us.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1206
*Jinxed* says:
That is so cool! I want one of those clocks! and the cloak seems awesome! So high tech! Great to see a little magic come to life in our world...
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:36 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1542
Supreme Mugwump says:
Yeah i've seen some footage with these invisibility cloaks. THey look pretty good but are really big and awkward looking. I suppose the clock is based on estimate tiimes as to when people do what during the day. I don't think that anything that really is possible unless the people featured on the cclock have some sort of digital transmitter on them.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:40 PM EST
Witch
Points: 874
Together Forever, H/Hr... says:
Thats really cool I would love to have one of those clock thingys! I wonder how it would work? I mean how could a clock (without magic) be able to tell where you were?
danrad07
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:46 PM EST
Profesora de la Paz
Points: 2824
Sassafras says:
Go JKR...you know that the Hogwarts world has gone beyond the pale of overzealous fans when the technological world takes those ideas and runs with them. Bravo!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 818
ElizabethRG says:
Haha, funny! I want one of those clocks. SHOWS HOW AWESOME J.K. ROWLING IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think she should be everyone's idol!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:51 PM EST
Student
Points: 213
Ginny_Weasley_504 says:
That is the coolest!!! Wow... there actually using ideas from Harry Potter. Maybe they can make magic a reality... hopefully... someday :S
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:53 PM EST
Student
Points: 216
Zhenya says:
Oh how I praise the creativity and innovation of those people at Microsoft. What an original idea. Nice one. Apart from that it's not but what the hey.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 7:59 PM EST
Squib
Points: 167
Great Grandma Weasley says:
That is soo cool! I don't care if it really works--I want one! Did anybody see if they're really for sale and where?
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 8:04 PM EST
Student
Points: 286
MeetYourMatch says:
Yeah now give me that cloak and we'll all be happy. *wink*
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 8:09 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 57
Vikki0lvsrg says:
Thats so cool. THats a great idea!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 8:10 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Angel Of Music <3 says:
I want one of those cloaks sooooo badly!!!! There's are an endless list of all the things I could do with one of those babys!:P (hehehehehehe) I can't wait untill thse types of things are for sale.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 8:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1614
hermy-ninny712 says:
That is so cute! The only problem is there is no way to know where everyone is! The Weasely's clock is magic, but I think it is still a really cute idea.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 8:30 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1217
mahaliah says:
That is so funny and cool. I wonder if it really works. It seems weird and really awesome, but I bet it costs a lot of greens.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 8:35 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 444
Dark_Soul says:
Cool, are they just from the computer?
maybe..
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 8:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1805
Swimangel57 says:
Those are sooo cool! They definitely got their inspiration from Harry Potter! I wonder if the invisibility cloak works...
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 8:58 PM EST
The Dark Knight
Points: 5789
minister for magic says:
The clock looks really cool! I wonder how they do it so it knows where everyone is?
The invisibilty cloak invention sounds reall cool!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:05 PM EST
Half-Blooded Fooch
Points: 2447
fooch48 says:
Those seem like some pretty crazy inventions. It's interesting to see how fantasy and reality are so closely connected!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:09 PM EST
Squib
Points: 148
abyscalkapostrophe_x says:
That's so awesome. I want one of those clocks!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:11 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2449
*starfox* says:
I was wondering when Microsoft would be trying to put J.K. Rowling's HP ideas into actual projects for us to use in our daily routines, maybe not working objects as of right now, but things to get the ball rolling.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:14 PM EST
Prof. of Muggle Studies
Points: 4236
Elishka says:
Isn't it interesting how the imagination of a fiction writer will lead the market to new inventions? And all of those companies think they have hired people who can "think outside the box" -- Ha! If they did, they would have hired writers and artists, not people who merely follow the established trends.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:25 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1463
LAURA? says:
Oh yeah! Who isn't inspired by Harry Potter! It's brilliant! Haha that's so cool! Harry Potter Rox My Sox.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 809
~Hermione <3's Ron~ says:
i read about that clock on other websites, that clocks looks totally cool! how can the clock kno when someone is at home or at school? well whatever, i wish i could have that clock. It is totally cool! I wonder if JKR likes it?
mwa!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:35 PM EST
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