Update #1: Makin’ plans
Two potential routes to manufacture, plus a developer API rn
I didn’t expect my tweet about an AI clock to get a bunch of attention. But here we are! As far as I know, it’s a world first! So let’s see if we can make it.
First things first: Here’s a little (but live) sim of the AI Clock!
You subscribed to this Substack to hear news! Thank you ☺️
So read on to find out about the plan, how you can help and (if you’re a developer) how to integrate similar capabilities into your apps and devices.
– Matt, March 2023
p.s. updates will always come to this newsletter, and I’ll try to make each meaningful and not overwhelm your inbox. If you need to email directly then my deets are on my homepage.
🧐 The plan
For the hardware, we’re pursuing two parallel tracks:
Kits. For hackers, we’re putting together the parts list, instructions, and code for building your own AI Clock. This will be the quickest to get into your hands and will require some technical know-how. Maybe it will be a tutorial online, maybe a kit you can buy. Watch this space.
Boxed product. A fully-assembled AI Clock, ready to plug and play. This will be the easiest to use, and prettiest, but will take longer to design, manufacture and ship. This is hard to do! (I’ve done connected hardware before.) So we’ll see. Current status: researching.
A challenge of the clock is that AI is costly. This prototype version would cost $1.80/day to run – for every clock! Not ok! So instead the kits and consumer product will use a shared cloud service, which will be free as it shares the cost between everyone, with an option to personalise the poems for a fee.
How you can help: There’s a lot involved in building connected gadgets, whether kits or boxed products. I’m looking for a partner who can handle (and float) manufacturing, international distribution, and retail relationships. Industrial design, DFM, certification and packaging would be a bonus.
🛠️ Developer APIs
The shared cloud service is available to developers as a simple REST API. It lives over at Poem – a new service.
Which means that if you’re a developer and want to build your own physical clock, screen saver, iPhone widget, projected window display or whatever, today, the API is here for you. Get in touch for early access.
And if you’re working on a product (apps or devices) that could benefit from custom AI-powered live copy, get in touch. We can help.
📰 Press
Thank you The Verge for featuring the AI Clock!
🤖 Until next time…
Okay my droogs, I will send you more news as I have it.
Matt x