There are concepts that are impossible to carry out, since those who create them are more concerned with seeking the aesthetic than the functional. However, from time to time proposals also appear that make you wonder why nobody did something similar in real life. One such example is this smart alarm clock with display and classic design.
The hipster Echo Spot
Smart devices with screens such as Amazon Echo Show, those of other manufacturers that also bet on Alexa such as Levono or Google's own have gone little by little conquering more corners within the home of the users. You may have succumbed to one of them yourself and already have it in the kitchen, the room you use as an office or directly next to the bed, on your nightstand.
The truth is that these smart devices have proven to be very useful, because they bring together all the sales of a smart speaker and add the options offered by having a screen where you can view video-on-demand platforms, useful day-to-day information, etc. but there is something that still does not convince everyone equally: aesthetics.
As much as you like the whole cyberpunk style, on certain occasions there are those who still prefer a more conventional, more classic aesthetic. For this reason, this designer imagined at the time what one of these would be like. smart devices with screens with a more retro aesthetic. It did so in 2020, but now it is gaining some visibility again by giving it a new function like the classic clock used in chess games.
making sure my concept is "queen's gambit" ready ♟⏰ pic.twitter.com/YWDRG3E4pO
—John Karlsson (@hellotherejohn) February 1, 2021
As you can see in the two video clips shared by John Karlsson, the design of his smart alarm clock and with an Amazon Echo Spot-style screen, it is very striking. First, because it recovers that idea of a clock for the nightstand or any place where we want to have it with a very traditional aesthetic.
And secondly, because it really is not just adding the retro aesthetic with that body made of metal, with the two classic bells plus the hammer that hits them when the alarm goes off, etc. What Karlsson proposes here is use these items as dials and buttons through which you can interact with the device and its smart features.
In the second clip, to be more exact, he uses this smart screen as the classic clock used in chess games with its double sphere that serves to measure the time invested by each player in the movements he is making.
Will it ever be real?
There is no reason for a proposal like this not to become real at some point, it is only necessary to adapt some specific elements and little else, because the base is already ready for other products such as those mentioned above.
The only thing that is needed is to have a user base that is really interested and that seems to be happening. So much so that they have created tiden, a website where you can leave your email to be aware of the progress to bring this concept to the real world.
So, if it caught your attention, you already know how to keep track of it, either through said website or with its profile on social networks. @tidenco.