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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: 622
Livia De Romanus says:
I want that clock! If I had money I would find a way to buy it, but alas, I don't. THat is so cool, I like the idea, THEY SHOULD MASS MARKET IT.
Posted Nov 27, 2005 at 6:49 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 666
Saquerus Lezzier says:
I would really need one of those clocks! Ill track down my sister all the time!
Posted Nov 28, 2005 at 7:35 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 327
QuidditchSeeker11 says:
AWESOME! I want one so bad! I would know where everyone is, that's cool!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 4:22 PM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
Wow i can't believe that they can do something like this.
Posted Dec 2, 2005 at 3:42 PM EST
Student
Points: 229
Wuteva_Chica says:
I WANT ONE! Realllllly badly, when will these come out I wonder?
Posted Dec 2, 2005 at 7:10 PM EST
Squib
Points: 165
kella says:
That's really cool. oh mna, it would be amazing if it actually worked...
Posted Dec 2, 2005 at 7:10 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 408
randomnessthoughts says:
Oh, that'd be so cool!! I want one! :P
Posted Dec 3, 2005 at 1:46 PM EST
The Dark Lady
Points: 5085
Mrs Riddle/Lady Voldemort says:
*falls over laughing* oh my hell...this is too funny. I gotta see this if and when it hits the market...
Posted Dec 3, 2005 at 1:56 PM EST
Epitome of Evil
Points: 2752
Tom Marvolo Riddle says:
That would be a cool clock, but it would be so confusing to build.
Posted Dec 4, 2005 at 3:34 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 47
Cute Ginny says:
Heee Heeee Heeee. Man, looks like Jo has a huge brain. I really thing that is a cool idea. I hope it works!!!
Posted Dec 4, 2005 at 4:59 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 21
Miss.#1hp_fan says:
Man i want one soo bad to think that i could all was see when everyone went to the movies with out me to bad i'm broke
Posted Jan 5, 2006 at 10:23 PM EST
Squib
Points: 158
Lilian87 says:
Wow! This news makes me wonder what new things people can come up with. I would really get my hands on this fabulous gadget!:)
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 11:26 AM EST
Aquatic Guardian Angel
Points: 7427
[Insert Cool Name Here] says:
*MOUTH HANGING OPEN* I want one of those. Those would be useful to have. But then again they would infer with one's privacy. But still a very good idea. And all thanks to J.K. Rowling of course.
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 7:01 PM EST
Lady of Hufflepuff
(Moderator)
Points: 10343
Lady Lee says:
How cool would something like that be! but the only thing I could wonder would be how the clock would know if you were at school or work? I mean, if you're like me and work at a school, then does the clock know that I am at school or work?
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 8:49 PM EST
Student
Points: 211
Regulus_Alphard says:
That clock is like the coolest thing I read about in the chamber of secrets! If it will be released in true life it would be a must for every real JK.Rowling lover!! I can't wait for the future!
Posted Jan 17, 2006 at 8:41 AM EST
Witch
Points: 699
Toph Rox!!! says:
That would be cool. But there is one obvious flaw, not everyone keeps their cell phones with them all the time. But it is still cool that we have that kind of technology.
Posted Jan 18, 2006 at 8:21 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 776
The Third Eye says:
That is so cool, I would definitely get one when they finish making it.
Posted Jan 20, 2006 at 11:55 AM EST
Mistress of Wit and Wisdom
Points: 3074
missypotter says:
I would love the Weasleys clock. I have a large family and it would be great to know where they are throughout the day. It would have to have some sort of satalite tracking system and I don't know if my kids would like that. It will be very interesting to see if they can put one together.
Posted Jan 21, 2006 at 1:48 AM EST
Hades Baby Girl
Points: 5705
Pinkcess of the Abyss says:
WOW! I so want one of those! That is totaly cool! I love the clock in the films! I wonder if I could get it personalised.
Posted Feb 8, 2006 at 7:20 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 358
Dave1988 says:
Wow I would Love that Clock
I Hope to god That they Actually go through with it.
Posted Feb 22, 2006 at 6:41 PM EST
Squib
Points: 134
crookshanks23 says:
I so want that clock! That would be so cool! I hope i can get it as soon as posible.................
Posted Feb 27, 2006 at 9:32 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 95
°o.ONeed4SpeedO.o° says:
I`m not so sure about the clock. I told my parent and they were a little TOO interested in knowing where we are at all hours!
Posted Feb 27, 2006 at 11:04 AM EST
Squib
Points: 176
Andosia Fair says:
Clever indeed. I do wonder how many things are invented and directly related to fictional objects in stories.
I know television, for example, was described in books, and cell phones and video cameras, long before they were invented, but I don't think their creation can be directly linked from originating in books.
Mrs. Weasley's clock, more or less, really available. It certainly can be useful. Although for me I think a flying broom or floo powder would have to be created to get my serious attention ;)
Posted Mar 6, 2006 at 1:42 PM EST
Azkaban's Most Wanted
(Moderator)
Points: 13597
Lord Zimkel says:
It would have to have hands, that's the only way I'd buy it. That's a very good idea on behalf of Microsoft, though, but let's not forget who's idea it really was, eh! I wonder, I plan to join the military soon, perhaps this year even, if I end up in Afghanistan in the future I wonder if my hand would go to a Mortal Peril category. haha Well, it's hard to say, I don't think they'd want to put that one on there, I mean they could scare people to death at times when there really might not be anything to worry about; it screams lawsuits.
Posted Mar 8, 2006 at 10:08 PM EST
Student
Points: 258
dragongirl_58 says:
That would be cool, except it would have its upsides and downsides. upside: it'd just be cool to have, downside: your parents would know where you are every second of the day.
Posted Mar 17, 2006 at 12:20 PM EST
Squib
Points: 127
looneybooks says:
Wow, it would be amazing to have a clock like that, but on the other hand i'm a bit worried about all this computer technolgy; for me it would be another way for big brother to keep an eye on us at all times.
Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 11:33 AM EST
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