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OCTOBER 11, 2005 at 2:30 PM
Posted by EUDAEMONIA
Source: Phoneyworld.com & Irish Independent
As it was mentioned back in spring, the Weasleys' living room clock
in the Harry Potter books, which indicates where any family member is at the moment, may become available to households in the future. The Irish Independent reports that Microsoft is researching on the development of a similar device that will display locations of family members outside the home with the use of mobile gadgets.
Inspired by JK Rowling's novels, the researchers and developers have labeled it the "whereabout clock". A brief summary as to how the technology is being developed surfaced recently:
The whereabout clock's screen uses icons bearing the faces of each family member. Signals from their mobile phones are used to tell the computer where they are and the icons wander between colored segments to show whether they are at home, school, work or elsewhere.... The clock will also be able to receive and display text messages. For instance a mother could text the screen that "working till 9pm, please put dinner in oven" and the words would hover next to her face icon.
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Witch
Points: 560
TheBabblingHousewife says:
Shall we say...royalties?
It's not the ones that don't complain about this type of thing that you have to worry about...they don't have anything to hide.
Some employers track their company vehicles to make sure whatever employee has them out on company time is actually doing company business instead of at home napping or visiting their significant other...
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 7:53 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 405
dtree1992 says:
I want it as soon as it comes out.
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 7:53 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
That is so rad! I think that the clock would be a must have for any busy family. And to think that the Harry Potter series inspired such an awesome Microsoft venture! Go JK Rowling...you're such an innovator!!
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 7:59 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 341
lik3_wh0a says:
Wow! That is SOOO cool! I would so get that if it came out!
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:00 PM EST
Boredom's G-Unit
Points: 6616
Hermy's Homeboy says:
That would be so cool. I want one!!
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:09 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 25
chicky-poo says:
That would be sooooooooooo cool!!! I want one soooooooooo bad!!!
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:12 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
thats so awesome!
HP stuff from the wizarding world is going to be used in the future.
i will so get me one of those clocks. how awesome will it be to have one of those. be like "yeah its inspired by the HP books and movies".
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:12 PM EST
canon
Points: 2575
gaea says:
Oh man, the gadgets people come up with. Isn't it enough to be able to text someone on a cell phone, why bother to pay for a service that does basically the same thing. Anyway, it is pretty cool.;-D
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:13 PM EST
Points: 1797
howdoideletethis says:
Thats flippin' sweet! I wonder if it could really work..
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:14 PM EST
Long Way from Happy
Points: 2952
OEHFICE says:
That sounds great! with todays technology, it is possible. I would love to own that clock! Great Idea!
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:18 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4655
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Wow! I so want it! That would be sweet to have a clock like that! I'm going to make my parents buy that! SWEET!
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:24 PM EST
Witch
Points: 534
Mrs. Mollywobbles says:
Hahahaha....I'm going to make sure mine always says "mortal peril" next to it!!!
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 534
Mrs. Mollywobbles says:
I mean...what are they going to come up with next? Floo poweder for travel?
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:28 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1013
hpotter_gweasley says:
Wow, that's cool, I want one when it comes out! That's terrific, JK Rowling's books have inspired these stuff.
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 602
danebabe says:
that'd me so flipping cool...but super dee duper de expensive!!! HP has inspired a lot of awesome stuff...
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:31 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1191
mrsmad says:
Wow! isn't that funny. I am just completely blown away by today's technology.I so want one. I imagine it will be really expensive. But How cool is that!!!?
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:36 PM EST
Singularly Gifted Witch
Points: 5157
Medea says:
Good job Microsoft for making a cool idea reality. I know if I had a big family to manage, I'd love to have such a handy device.
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:39 PM EST
Crookshanks Caretaker
Points: 3836
hermionefan1 says:
That would be sweet if they made a clock like that, i would so buy it in a heart beat.
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:42 PM EST
Witch
Points: 517
I <3 Rupert Grint says:
I want that clock its so cool i was like wow they shoud do that becuase it would be awsome plus everyone is going to want one.
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 8:44 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1921
gubbyfish says:
It seems unbelievable that they would actually come up with a way to make that clock-how cool is that??
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 9:01 PM EST
Witch
Points: 622
*Hermione!* says:
That's neat!! IT would be ssooo expensive. Technology freaks me out sometimes.
But, sort of way to ruin the book. I mean, it's better to let your imagination run wile than to make everything a reality.
Half the reason a bunch of us like HP I bet it because we can all make some of it our own.
But it's still cool : )
*Hermione!*
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 9:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 542
ProfMM says:
Do you really think that a clock...or anything else using technology of that kind is "neat?" There would be so many ways to abuse it - like stalking people. I think the whole idea is terribly scary.
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 9:22 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2682
hplovergurl says:
That would be so awesome!! I bet that it would cost tons of money, but it would still be really cool to have!! I want one!
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 9:39 PM EST
Student
Points: 245
Black Illusions says:
THAT IS SO WICKED! It would be so awesome to have one of those, but I bet that they are going to be super expensive. If only I were rich...
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 9:43 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1004
heart_hArrY says:
OH MY, that is so neat. HA how do these people do this/ I'm very much impressed. I would love one. But imagine the price. and it wouldn't at all be what the most of it can be if everybody dosen't ahve a cell phone or anything. But stll a very neat iea.
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 9:49 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 467
the_pensieve says:
oh oh oh oh!!! I NEED that clock! They have to make them affordable for the average family with kids. A new way to keep up with teenagers!
Parents will love this clock, kids will end up hating it....:-D
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 9:49 PM EST
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