Boogie Board! (not what it sounds like LOL)

[hackmodford]

I was reading the latest PopSci recently and seen this new gadget.
http://www.myboogieboard.com/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At it's current state it doesn't interest me (even though it's only $30)
But as soon as this thing can save to memory and thens sync to a computer I think I'll buy one.

How about you?
What do you think about this wild thing?

[vskid]

Looks way cool, especially for only $30. But I have to agree with you, it needs to be able to save. Syncing would be an added bonus, just being able to open a saved image on the tablet itself would be good enough for me. I would pay ~$50 for one with a save and open function.
After researching a bit, it seems like it isn't really electronic. It sounds like it is similar to a Magna Doodle or those things with the thin piece of plastic you draw on and lift to erase (I think Woody uses one on Toy Story). The pressure causes the image to show, and the electricity just erases it. So it can't save images the way it currently works.

[samjc3]

sounds pointless to me. without saving and all that, its useless. plus, i wont buy one simply for all their save the trees propaganda.

[bicostp]

Some things don't have to be digital.

I'd rather get this instead. It's just like the BoogieBoard!

- Can't save to SD card
- Can't hook it up to your PC
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Erasable
- No way to recharge it or replace the battery (can't replace something that doesn't exist!)

But it's cheaper and there are multicolor add-on packs available at retailers nationwide.

Or better yet, get this! It's like the last product but you don't need markers, it comes with shapes and stencils, and it creates absolutely no waste!

This is just another useless gadget cooked up by some environmentalist hipsters. Exactly why I haven't subscribed to PopSci in over 2 years: they only do "The Future of X" where everything, no matter how impractical, is computerized for no g*****m reason.

[hackmodford]

I'll admit... I haven't been impressed with Popsci lately. I'm thinking of switching over to Scientific American.

But once this thing can save it'll totally beat a whiteboard

Also the great thing is that this is using the technology present in an LCD screen (according to Popsci) then uses a power jolt to "erase" the screen. Once it saves it's mine. And yes I would pay $50 for it too...

[palmertech]

The ability to save would add an exponential amount of complexity, bulk, and cost. By then, you would not be too interested, IMO.

[themadhacker]

Or you can buy some paper for 10 cents and a pencil for 5 cents.

when you write on paper, you do not use electricity, it can save virtually forever or until the paper finally dissentigrates with age, you ca erse it, and if you break it then you are only out a few cents.

[bicostp]

But.. but what about the trees, man? THE TREES! D:

[edit: This was supposed to be a sarcastic jab at the ecohippies who think the Toyota Prius will lower the planet's temperature and resurrect the Tasmanian Fruit Bat from extinction.]

[samjc3]

trees. unless you are buying some kinda chinese home made rice paper or some such crap, the paper you use comes from trees grown to make paper. the whole "save the trees movement" is just crap.

[bicostp]

the whole "save the trees movement" is just crap.

Just like recycling! (The only things worth recycling are aluminum cans, copper products, and precious metals; almost everything else takes more energy to recycle than it does to make new product from scratch. The fleet of redundant trucks alone must use billions of gallons of diesel.) Hybrid cars are bullcrap too.

[hackmodford]

Agreed! Hybrid cars are stupid.
I like the air cars (just youtube it)

[bicostp]

See what we really need is a car that runs on pollution and spits out gasoline. Replace half the cars in the world with them and there you go.