March 3, 2008

Chumby Wumby

The Chumby

Computers and their binary personalities.

They’re either a too-cool-for-school metallic slab or a big and dorky box. Where’s the whimsy? Where’s the upholstery? Where’s the button for hanging an assortment of charms?

Here it is: Chumby, a user-friendly doodad that provides wireless-enabled entertainment.

How does it work? Well, you create an account on the Chumby website and choose your content — weather, traffic, news, horoscope, trivia, photos, radio, sports, videos, favorite sites — then Chumby connects by WiFi (for free) to download the goods. Interact with the device by simply touching its screen.

Toss the mini-TV-looking device onto any reasonably flat surface and use it as an alarm clock at home or plop it on your desk for a little distraction at work (Sudoku, kittens in drawers, Facebook updates).

It may not provide the same thrills as some of your gadgets.

But you can tap it anytime you like.

Available online at chumby.com.