Mini Bluetooth Arcade Controller

This is a small Bluetooth arcade controller that is based on TV plug-and-play systems from 10 or so years ago. I was shopping for this very thing and to my surprise, it doesn’t exist*, thought I’d draw it up. Sorry for another Arcade-related post!

I like the small form factor of those plug-and-play systems, they were slightly bigger than an Atari 2600 joystick. For the majority of older games that I like to play, only two buttons are needed.

One possible scenario is if such a controller doubled as a streaming remote. Maybe Amazon would bundle this with their Fire Stick? Or Apple could include this with their Apple TV as a handy way to enjoy their Arcade service? Some plug-and-plays had a joystick that rotated (to play racing games like Pole Position), so that feature could be used as a volume control here.

My original goal was to buy such a controller for my PS4, where I own several arcade classics. I also considered buying an old plug-and-play too, but sadly they all use RCA composite cables. I was hoping this controller would enable a more modern HDMI solution.

*This device was close, but is too tall and lacked a mechanical joystick. You can buy mini fighting sticks too, but they have 6 or 8 buttons and are too big to fit in your hand.

Hitchhiker’s Guide Amazon Alexa Design

Hitchhikers-Guide-Tablet-Amazon-Alexa-Echo-Dot-Kindle-Fire-2018-design-by-Dave-Delisle

Amazon recently announced several new Alexa devices so I thought I would make one that is inspired by Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, at least the one seen in the movie (which used voice commands for queries). I sort of got carried away and made 5 devices in one package, see below.

Star Trek Personal Assistant

Star Trek personal assistant Alexa Siri Amazon Apple by Dave Delisle davesgeekyideas Dave's Geeky Ideas

I’m sure millions of folks have already thought “I would prefer to say ‘Computer’ instead of Alexa or Siri!”, and I am one of those people. I’m pretty sure Apple and Amazon have felt the same way, because their personal assistant devices appear to be inspired by Star Trek.

Obviously it’s not an original idea, but I feel such a device should look like a communicator, and would feature an amber-colored LED light instead of a blue one. It would still feature the same voice as Siri or Alexa, but could also play Sound FX from Star Trek like energizing, red alert, communicator presses, and so on.

I could also see this being paired up with Bluetooth Star Trek badge communicators that people could wear or keep on their person, to interact with the assistant remotely with just a press of the badge. Would also be helpful to find other badge wearers: “Computer, where is my kid?”

Portal Personal Assistant

Alexa Siri portal personal assistant design by Dave Delisle

I am very intrigued by the potential of Amazon’s line of personal assistants (Alexa and Echo), my hope is that one day we get HAL 9000 and GLaDOS versions of the device. Thought I would take a stab at the latter, but GLaDOS’ robotic body doesn’t fit so I enlisted the Companion Cube and the incinerator. This would still feature GLaDOS’ voice, in an ideal world.