Gizmodo: doorbell

NES Controller Becomes Wireless Doorbell

Jason Chen — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EDT

If we were to make a wireless doorbell from an NES controller, we'd actually take advantage of its eight different buttons and have each one make a different chime. Instead, the creator made all eight do the same thing. [TechEBlog]

Piano Doorbell Turns the FedEx Guy Into a Virtuoso

Sean Fallon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:50:00 EDT

Musical doorbells are annoying enough, but what if you gave your visitors the freedom to express themselves creatively? That's exactly what designer Li Jian had in mind when he came up with the Pianobell. Unless you are friends with a lot of talented musicians, I don't see much of an upside here. On the other hand, it could be amusing to torture your FedEx guy with a bizarre form of performance anxiety. Fortunately for him, the Pianobell is only a concept at this point. [Labexp via Freshome]

Netstreams DoorLinX MP3 Doorbell is Your Bell

Charlie White — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:34:53 EST

The humble doorbell has just made the leap into the 21st century. DoorLinX by Netstreams can play an MP3 of your choice whenever someone presses your doorbell button, and that MP3 is easily placed on the slim wall-mounted slab via WiFi.

Imagine that, now you can play Captain Picard's doorbell sound through the DoorLinX's 4-watt speaker, and even hook up a door latch activation relay to its TouchLynx touchscreens. We've been looking all over for a doorbell like this, and finally it's here. Now if Netstreams could just set its price and availability and then bring it to market, we'll be first in line. – Charlie White

NetStreams Introduces First Digital Doorbell and Intercom System [Hidden Wires, via Sci Fi Tech]

Waleli's GSM Doorbell Links Your Door to Your Phone

Jason Chen — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 18:15:20 EDT

If you're tired of forgetting your keys—or your roommates forgetting their keys—get the GSM doorbell and you'll never have to worry again. It mounts onto your door, and when rung, calls a pre-programmed number. Punch in a key-code in your phone and the door unlocks automatically. Never get up from your chair again.

Also, this new version lets you call the device to unlock it directly without having to ring the bell. You can phone your door as you approach your home so it's unlocked when you get there. This sounds pretty damn convenient if we don't have to spring for a calling plan for the doorbell. – Jason Chen

Product Page [GSM Doorbell via Textually]

Bottoms Up Doorbell

Charlie White — Fri, 12 May 2006 10:53:45 EDT

Designer Peter van der Jagt from Greener Grass Design offers "Bottoms Up," a doorbell that toasts your guests' arrival with the charming ring of two fine crystal wine glasses. It uses a conventional electromagnet with a hammer on the end, clinking and clanging the glasses with the push of a button.

We say it's about time somebody got creative with doorbells, a largely ignored backwater in this techno-gadget carnival in which we live. People are falling all over themselves for all manner of cheesy ringtones for cellphones, but for doorbells all we get are a few chintzy midi noises and a bunch of ding-dongs. It just needs to be done for less than the $235 you'll pay for these upside-down wine glasses. Available June 1.

Product Page [Greener Grass Design, via productdose]

All-Seeing Recordable Reminder Doorbell Plays Back Greets

Charlie White — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 13:07:36 EST

Here's a device category that's been left largely untapped: the doorbell. The Recordable Reminder Doorbell uses a motion sensor to either sound a conventional chime or play back your own recorded greeting. Movement within six to 12 feet of this voluptuously-shaped device triggers your choice of chime or greets. Say hello or tell 'em to go away. Now if they could just make one where visitors can also leave you a message. Running on three AA batteries, it's $15 on the web.

Product page [via Red Ferret]