I need an idea person.
 

I've always been a software guy. Hardware kind of scared me. I stumbled upon this open-source microprocessor platform, though, called Arduino, and now my mind is running a million miles a minute.

It's basically a motherboard that comes with a very basic programming language to program it. You can go to Radio Shack and buy things like WiFi adapters, GPS signals, motion detectors, thermometers, cameras, light detectors, etc.

So then you can solder those onto the board and program them accordingly. We could trigger events based on things in the atmosphere. These events can be anything available as web services online.

For example, we could send out real-time Tweets or Facebook updates when the temperature in a room falls out of a given range, or when an object starts to move. Imagine packages automatically tweeting or texting the truck driver when they fall off the truck and are left behind.

Some people have made things like cat toys that automatically take pictures and post Tweets in real-time when the toy starts to move (assuming the cat is playing with it).

I've always been big into payments because there's a residual model there...you could give away the product and make a killing on commissions with transactions running through the solution.

I'm having trouble thinking of a practical use-case, though. I mean, I could trigger a payment based on the motion of your tooth brush, or based on pushing your garage door opener, or again, based on temperature in a room, how bright or dark the room is, how fast the thing is moving, where exactly the thing is located in the world, etc.

So, give me an idea, I'll build the hardware, program the software, develop a website for it, etc. and we can make a bunch of money together! If we could come up with a practical use and get a patent on it...we'd kill it.

boobs.

Hmmm...maybe we could implement this to notify my mom when we're running low on hot pockets and mountain dew?

Program it so it will turn your coffee pot on in the morning at a set time.

I have taken your idea and have copyrighted and trademarked it. Please don't speak about it anymore.

They have those already.

Smart fridges are right around the corner. Probably already has patents.

How big is the thing? And I presume it can be mobile for the movement sensing part?

I'd ask Nut.

The standard size is this...

http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploa...o_uno_test.jpg

The parts can be assembled into pretty much anything, though, so it doesn't have to be limited to this form factor, but this would be easiest for me to start with.

I've seen people weaving the parts into clothing and triggering events based on movement or temperature of the clothes.

Very cool, Mr. DRU. There are, no doubt, thousands of applications for some kind of computer device that can automatically detect movement or temperature change.

Restaurants come to mind.

Very exciting, actually.

FAX

With the help of Google, forums, and IRC chat, probably. Not something I'd like to spend my time on, though. Sorry.