Tag: Apple

Mini Bluetooth Arcade Controller

Categories Electronics, Gadgets, Video Games1 Comment on 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.

Hybrid Smartwatch Design

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hybrid smartwatch design 2020 dave delisle davesgeekyideas dave's geeky ideas

This smartwatch design combines the old and new, with analog watch hands sitting on top of a modern display. A hole is punched through the middle of the screen, allowing the gears for the watch hands to pass through. This approach would be similar to punching a hole in a smartphone display for a camera (more on that concept here).

There would only be a few on-demand features for the display, such as the calendar, notifications, heart rate, and stopwatch. I didn’t want it to host apps, because the goal is to use the digital screen as little as possible; hopefully it would only need to be charged once a month (the watch hands would use a separate battery or wind-up feature).

This hybrid watch ensures the time is always displayed, and it only serves up information when called upon. With infrequent charging, it could be a gadget that needs little upkeep, just like an old watch.

iTunes Bluetooth Speaker

Categories Computers, Electronics, Gadgets, Music, Safety, ToysLeave a Comment on iTunes Bluetooth Speaker

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Apple is currently in the middle of killing iTunes, thought I’d commemorate this grim occasion by putting together a Bluetooth speaker design. I felt reincarnating iTunes in the form of a jukebox would be appropriate.

Continue reading ➞ iTunes Bluetooth Speaker

Apple Siri Screen

Categories Electronics, Gadgets, Robots1 Comment on Apple Siri Screen

Apple Siri Screen design by Dave Delisle

Amazon recently released the Echo Show, an Alexa assistant with a built-in screen that displays information on demand. If Apple were to release a similar product, they can do no worse than making it look like an 80’s Macintosh computer. Nostalgia is all the rage these days, see the NES Classic or C64 Mini.

Continue reading ➞ Apple Siri Screen

Star Trek Personal Assistant

Categories Appliances, Computers, Electronics, Gadgets, Toys2 Comments on 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?”

Back To The Future Bluetooth Speaker

Categories Electronics, Gadgets2 Comments on Back To The Future Bluetooth Speaker

BTTF bluetooth speaker design 2012 dave delisle davesgeekyideas dave's geeky ideas

This is a smaller Bluetooth Speaker that features a digital display concealed in the wood finish (like these alarm clocks), and a remote that looks like the component rack next to the speaker from the film.

Continue reading ➞ Back To The Future Bluetooth Speaker

Speak & Spell iPad Case

Categories Books, Electronics, Gadgets, Toys, Video GamesLeave a Comment on Speak & Spell iPad Case

Speak and Spell iPad case by Dave Delisle

This one is pretty straightforward, an iPad case based on the Speak & Spell educational toy from the 80’s (you whippersnappers might have seen it in the film E.T.). Obviously those from the late 70’s and early 80’s would appreciate the novelty of this idea more.

I know it’s a kids toy, but as I’ve often stated I like things that are inherently nostalgic. I believe only a few geeks would have scruples about being seen with such a childish case.

I suppose the only downside is the ironic hipster vibe this design wields. It’s retro, filled with social commentary about modern electronic devices, and is intended for an Apple product. I should just delete this post. *Sigh!* I’ll leave it be. You hipsters don’t linger around here too long, y’hear?

The odds of this happening are super-slim. Speak & Spell is owned by Texas Instruments, not exactly a competitor of Apple but no ally either.

Sorry to pimp other posts, but you might dig this Crayola 3DS case.