Flipper Device’s new Busy Bar is a customizable display for productivity

Flipper Devices, a London-based company renowned for its innovative Flipper Zero gadget, has taken a bold step into the realm of productivity with the introduction of the Busy Bar. This new device, set for open sale next month, is designed to enhance user efficiency by offering a customizable display for timers, app blocking, and personalized messages. Resembling a modern table clock, the Busy Bar features a striking 72×16 LED matrix display capable of producing up to 400 nits of brightness. Users can enjoy a vibrant palette of 16 million colors, while an integrated sensor automatically adjusts the brightness based on ambient light. For added functionality, the device includes a monochrome screen on the back, providing essential updates such as status, timer, battery life, and connectivity indicators, ensuring that critical information is always accessible. In addition to its visual capabilities, the Busy Bar is equipped with a small speaker for custom sounds and notifications. Its user-friendly interface comprises a mode selector switch, a start/stop button, an indicator, and a scroll wheel, allowing for easy navigation through menus and settings. Connectivity options abound with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB capabilities. The Busy Bar houses a robust 3250 mAh battery, delivering up to eight hours of active use and an impressive two weeks in standby mode. Flipper Devices has stated that users can fully recharge the device in just one hour using a 15W adapter. One of the primary goals of the Busy Bar is to facilitate better communication in work-from-home environments, allowing users to set messages that signal when they are focused on tasks. It also supports Pomodoro-style timers to encourage productivity bursts. Flipper Devices is launching companion apps for iOS, Android, and macOS, with plans for a Windows version on the horizon. Users will have the ability to block specific apps using various types of timers on mobile devices. Additionally, macOS integration with a microphone will enable the Busy Bar to display an “on call” status, silencing notifications during meetings or recording sessions. The Busy Bar is also Matter-certified, which means it seamlessly integrates with existing smart home setups across major platforms like Amazon, Apple, and Google. Users can create smart home automations triggered by the device's status. For developers, the Busy Bar offers open firmware and supports various programming tools, including an open HTTP API and official libraries for Python and TypeScript, empowering the creation of custom widgets and functionalities. Interested users can join the waitlist on the Busy Bar website, with the first 3,000 purchasers able to buy the device for $199, while subsequent customers will see a price of $249. The shipping and sales are slated to commence on July 14, covering the US, EU, UK, and Canada. Flipper Devices also plans to roll out accessories, such as wall mounts, screen protectors, and custom switches, to enhance the Busy Bar experience.