MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

[jonwkng]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Imagine Japan (or world) news going all crazy if some unenlightened fellow stumble upon the 2 Things & decide to report them as high tech spy gadget!

And here we are at CPF 

Well, Guy did mention that the Thing design has a PCB with 10-20 components.
Considering how tiny they are, I'm willing to say that they shouldn't be immediately evident as a light emitting tool. Possible thoughts???
Bluetooth?
Voice activation?
Embedded AI?
The above will likely drive the cost way above $15 a unit though.

 

[Tejasandre]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

No :grumpy:

 

[Launch Mini]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Placed my order, thanks.

 

[RCantor]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

How about electroluminesce and 5 what was it, 524.6 mg as the weight?

 

[eraursls1984]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Well, Guy did mention that the Thing design has a PCB with 10-20 components.
Considering how tiny they are, I'm willing to say that they shouldn't be immediately evident as a light emitting tool. Possible thoughts???
Bluetooth?
Voice activation?
Embedded AI?
The above will likely drive the cost way above $15 a unit though.

I keep tthinking trit holder, but he said it'll last around a year (I think) and trits don't need a PCB.

 

[eraursls1984]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Particles that emit light when magnetically activated?

 

[Str8stroke]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

I have been informed from a trusted verified source (in Japan) and not affiliated with MBI, that the Thing-O is indeed a MBI product! There is also a rumor that I am trying to verify that MBI is working hard to release before Christmas: The THING-S
Prototype:

 

[ven]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

:laughing:

So str8stroke...............you have been snooping!

 

[lightlover]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Guy,

At post no 349 of enthusiastic responses to NO-THINGS can I ask you:

If I order a "Thing", can I pay you in "things", not $$'s?

Curious minds want to know ...

:kiss: :shakehead :green:

 

[the_guy_with_no_name]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Sorry to hear about the lost Things, Guy.

Two super secret Things in the wild in Japan!
Now I'm wondering if they'll be mistaken for some alien tech or spy equipment.

Thanks jonwkng,

I was thinking that myself...
Good thing its Japan

Fortunately, I have quite a few protos :thumbsup:

Imagine Japan (or world) news going all crazy if some unenlightened fellow stumble upon the 2 Things & decide to report them as high tech spy gadget!

And here we are at CPF 

Hi DellSuperman,

All USG (unidentified spy gadgets) should be posted to cpf first, for identification

Hmm...

-Fits on keychain
-Able to be found when it is dark

I'm afraid those clues do not narrow things down much

Any more clues are most welcome

Sorry KITROBASKIN,
You are right, but not too much longer
On track to ship "things" out This Month!

The Thing-O is made of Titanium and comes with a magnet.
Some variants have a long, long runtime.
It has a replaceable power source and is ridiculously small.

Judging from the dimensions and runtime hints, I doubt there are any rechargeable batteries that are that small or have that much stamina. Ah, unless Guy has developed some super energy dense mini battery far smaller than the Nukes. But remember, the Beta package goes for less than $50.

Isn't it fun guessing what these Things are?

Hi jonwkng,

Actually, I had spec'd a rechargeable version, the same size..
or to be a little more specific, a self-recharging version.
It would reduce the available runtime between charges but still good.
I thought of making a sample but in the interest of getting the first version out to you all soon, I thought I'd hold off on that idea as the existing version is already impressive

Well, Guy did mention that the Thing design has a PCB with 10-20 components.
Considering how tiny they are, I'm willing to say that they shouldn't be immediately evident as a light emitting tool. Possible thoughts???
Bluetooth?
Voice activation?
Embedded AI?
The above will likely drive the cost way above $15 a unit though.

Voice activation could work for the existing Thing-Ultimate design under very specific circumstances but that sensitivity will probably not the the most functional for the largest number of users

I have been informed from a trusted verified source (in Japan) and not affiliated with MBI, that the Thing-O is indeed a MBI product! There is also a rumor that I am trying to verify that MBI is working hard to release before Christmas: The THING-S
Prototype:

Ahh, the Thing S! Completely forgot to mention that
(not really)

:laughing:

So str8stroke...............you have been snooping!

ven, snoopy is somehow booming (Again) in Japan!

Guy,

At post no 349 of enthusiastic responses to NO-THINGS can I ask you:

If I order a "Thing", can I pay you in "things", not $$'s?

Curious minds want to know ...

:kiss: :shakehead :green:

Hi lightlover,

Yes, absolutely, I can always use more things, but I'll need to receive the things before I send your things



minor update:

Did some field testing last night, results were good :thumbsup:
Had a few folks ask me what is that "thing"? Is that a new "thing"?

Though I'm always into small... I can definitely see the practicality of a larger thing,
maybe even somewhere between ultimate and thing.

Tgwnn

 

[jonwkng]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Self-recharging "Thing"? Same size? That's amazing, Guy!

Looks like you've got more Things under wraps.

 

[TEEJ]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

This is going to be somewhat smaller than the Volkswagen Thing.

There, I said it....the cat's out of the bag.

:devil:

 

[the_guy_with_no_name]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Self-recharging "Thing"? Same size? That's amazing, Guy!

Looks like you've got more Things under wraps.

Thanks jonwkng,

In theory, I guess it could run for a very long time like that but there were some downsides....(to be discussed later)

This is going to be somewhat smaller than the Volkswagen Thing.

There, I said it....the cat's out of the bag.

:devil:

Hi TEEJ,

Thanks so much for your order too
If only I new what the VW thing was



Update:

Silicon parts landed :thumbsup:
Final Machining Samples landed :thumbsup:

All on schedule, all looking good.
I'm leaning heavily towards NOT securing magnets in place (so they can be removable), for the beta at least. You'll see why.

I have some PCB potting stuff that landed from the US, need to test that, perhaps tomorrow. Not sure if I'll use it yet.

The full PCB batch should be ready very early next week.
I've gone ahead and ordered all the components ahead of assembly to make up some lost time, but all going to plan, I expect I'll have everything in hand to get the elves ready for work by end of next week (that will be me, in my elf costume, in the middle of the night, this time round at least).

Tgwnn

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Good to hear magnets will be optional.

 

[Zandar]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

GUY, I sent you an email with an update on my travel plans to see my nephews. Thanks Zandar

 

[the_guy_with_no_name]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Good to hear magnets will be optional.

Hi KITROBASKIN,

My original plan (still stands) was to make two slightly different parts available, one without a magnet, one with.
The beta, will come with just the magnet version but, I'll leave the magnet as removable. If you remove it, it will still work but you'll need to fill the small gap it leaves with some folded aluminum foil or similar to ensure good contact etc...
It's a really easy hack (no tools needed) and will make sense when the time comes.

Actually I was debating heavily (with myself) on adding a small snap-dome, spring, or other part in there but for now, for flexibility, this first design and let's see where feedback takes it

GUY, I sent you an email with an update on my travel plans to see my nephews. Thanks Zandar

Hi Zandar,

Thanks, reply sent

Tgwnn

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Clearly I don't know what I am talking about, but with the exception of you, I'm in good company in this thread.

If the magnet does not draw unwanted attraction, then we are good to go. But it is good to have options.

This is interesting and exciting

 

[TEEJ]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

Hi TEEJ,

Thanks so much for your order too
If only I new what the VW thing was

Tgwnn

http://www.vintagevwcars.com/vw-thing-for-sale/

 

[yavinbase]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

It's my first time looking around this lively corner of CPF. You make some awesome little lights! This thread has caught my attention, and I'm deciding whether to pre-order a Thing. I see a $45 price tag on the MBI website. Will the price increase once you post details of the Thing here?

 

[VeloWeave]

Re: MBI: "Thing" - My newest, top secret "the product with no name"

This is the best thread ever! I haven't been filled with this much wonder and anticipation since I was a kid 👦🎁😆👍