Weasley Clock Ticks Closer to Becoming Reality
Products
Posted by: Edward
May 09, 2009, 09:03 PM
Those who desire a Muggle version of the Weasley family clock may not have much longer to wait for this type of technology to be available in their homes. The Times is reporting this evening that researchers at Microsoft have completed user trials for their Whereabouts Clock. As TLC reported back in 2007, the company had been testing this device which 'monitor[s] the movements of family
members through their mobile phones.' According to the article, the device 'works by identifying which cell of a mobile phone network
a family member is in at any given time. When users set up the Whereabouts
Clock they have to give each cell a name, such as “work” or “school”, by
downloading software onto their phone.' With this information, the clock would be able to assign a location to each person based on when they enter that cell. Researcher Richard Harper spoke of the aims of this device by saying:
“We want it to give enough information to be comforting without giving
so much that people feel they are being watched."
The Times goes on to note that Microsoft is looking at how to market the product, but makes no mention of its release. Janice Day, one of those who tested the clock, said that she "didn’t
like initially everyone knowing where I was - and I thought, Janice, you
hypocrite. But by the end I was actually quite happy about it."
165 Comments
6196 Points
Cool, a Weasley clock for us Muggles! Dunno if I want my mom to have one, though. lol!
687 Points
haha awesome and creepy at the same time. not sure what to make of this one – privacy protection is always a worry
23113 Points
That would be sooooo cool! Though I worry enough about my kids as it is… don’t know if I need more reason!!
41 Points
Interesting, but it looks a bit ugly at the moment. Hopefully they can make it a little more attractive before they finish it up. But I guess I’m looking for the homey charm of the Weasley clock, and that’s probably too much to hope for.
160 Points
That is amazing, we have certainly come so very far in the last few years as far as technology is concerned. I’m sur ethat this type of technology will be abused by someone somewhere but that doesn’t make it any less of an impressive thing. I know that I would love to have one…although I don’t have kids…I could maybe just take it everywhere with me so that I could see where I was. That would be pretty cool….
3124 Points
I’m not really sure this the best of ideas. One time will tell us if people accept it.
179 Points
Interesting…
Yeah, that’s all I’m going to say.
2475 Points
Sounds fun but I think it should be in another company’s hands if you want it to have a creative touch ;)
354 Points
I dont know if i like this, from what it sounds like other people could tell where you are also. Privacy would be an issue here. Has anyone ever said “I would like that”, not me or anyone i know,
1439 Points
While I love the idea of the Weasley’s clock in my house, I think this clock sounds a bit too invasive lol. It’s neat that we’ve come that far in technology though.
386 Points
haha that would be soo cool!!!
2573 Points
I think that it’s great for parents to keep an eye on their kids but as an adult, I don’t need anyone monitoring my movements. Maybe they should be marketing it to parents only. That seems like their best move. I know my kids would HATE it! :)
1428 Points
Yes! Now all I need is for my red headed fiance to agree to seven kids and I have achieved my Weasley dreams.
1428 Points
Yes! Now all I need is for my red headed fiance to agree to seven kids and I have achieved my Weasley dreams.
1428 Points
Yes! Now all I need is for my red headed fiance to agree to seven kids and I have achieved my Weasley dreams.
Cool, a Weasley clock for us Muggles! Dunno if I want my mom to have one, though. lol!