Feeling lonely? Need a hug?

Stuart · 24-03-2005, 12:37

Someone has developed a bluetooth device that when you squeeze it, it can use your mobile phone to send a "hug" in a text message. As you squeeze it, it changes colour to indicate the strength of the hug.

When you recieve a message, the hug just looks like "hhuuuuugggg", and your Hugm will change colour to show how hard you are being hugged. The device is pictured below, and to me, bears a striking resemblance to something you buy in licenced shops, and I cannot mention on this forum.

http://www.mobjects.net/hugms/

Is this the most pointless device ever?

Having said that, some of the other projects on the site are interesting.

There is a project called "Codeck" which basically seems to be a Linux based streaming media server housed in a 1970's Sony Betavision VCR, and there is a wearable display called "dotdotdot", which you can download animations to using Bluetooth.

24-03-2005, 12:54

Well now I have seen it all...

punky · 24-03-2005, 13:02

I can't believe that this would make anyone happy.

When I want a hug, I want a real one. From a real person. Preferably female.

I'd never look at that text message and think: "Ahh an auto-generated text message sent from a machine says huuuuug. Awww that's good."

Half of technology is about improving lives. The other half is about fleecing people with too much money and not enough common sense.

allieyoung666 · 24-03-2005, 13:14

why would you want to hug that thing, I perfer to hug Paul as he is nice and squishy!!!

Flubflow · 24-03-2005, 13:19

I can think of an interesting variation for this or a similar device. It would utilise speed as well as pressure and involve an interface with the mobile phone's vibrate feature. I'm sure you can imagine the rest.

kronas · 24-03-2005, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

I can't believe that this would make anyone happy.

its a novelty, a quirky thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

When I want a hug, I want a real one. From a real person. Preferably female.

tookthe words out of my mouth

allieyoung666 · 24-03-2005, 13:25

It would look lovely in the living room, not!!!

Halcyon · 24-03-2005, 13:43

Now thats something I WONT buy.

allieyoung666 · 24-03-2005, 14:09

it looks like a giant condom!!! that glows in the dark ewww!!!!

Stuart · 24-03-2005, 14:10

I should explain. It seems that the guy that invented the hugm is doing a thesis for his ITU exam that examines how the mobile phone has changed and will change our lives.

He actually invented the Hugm and dotdotdot to show two possible ways it might still change our lives. Not sure if he has any plans to sell either of them.

If he does, I can see dotdotdot having a future. People could download animations in the same way they do ringtones.