Skip to main content

Light up your home by whistling at this lamp

You’ve heard the old saying that “necessity is the mother of invention.” Since human beings are inherently lazy creatures, it only makes sense that someone will come along and create a lamp that turns on when you whistle at it (perhaps a distant relative to this relic from back in the day, the “Clapper“). This new invention is called Classic Möbius, and is the creation of Eduardo Umaña. The lamp itself was likely designed with the upmarket in mind — it’s visually appealing while at the same time providing the functionality of, well, a basic lamp.

The design itself borrows from a Möbius strip, which by definition is “a continuous, one-sided surface formed by twisting one end of a rectangular strip through 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the strip and attaching this end to the other.” Got that? When you look at it, it doesn’t really remind you of a lamp, which is probably the point.

Recommended Videos

How does it work, exactly? The website lists a “Cortex-M4 microprocessor” and an advanced “MEMS sensor,” and of course it “uses algorithms to implement the whistling functionality.”

Umaña makes these lamps by hand in his San Francisco studio, and they sell for $2,300 (his website also offers some rather modern looking wristwatches that are stocked at the SFMoMA shop). According to Wired, “a composite material that has a ceramic feel and is very hard, like stone. (It’s often used for countertops.) He heats up strips of the stuff to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then bends them into the final shape.” The process used is called thermoforming.

The strips are than attached to a cork-covered post, which contains all the electronics, including the digital mic that picks up your whistling. There’s a knob to adjust the lamp’s sensitivity — you need to crank it for rooms with poor acoustics, for example. Wired also notes that “a firmware chip hosts the algorithm Umaña wrote to analyze the mic data and detect a whistle. The circuit is very fast; there’s almost no lag between your whistle and the lamp’s reaction.”

There’s a waiting list for these, and since it’s still just January, you’ve got plenty of time to get it on your Santa wishlist for this coming Christmas!

Brinke Guthrie
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brinke’s favorite toys include his Samsung Galaxy Tab S, Toshiba Chromebook 2, Motorola Moto G4, and two Kindles. A…
These buttons and dials offer a unique way to access your smart home
The Flic Smart Button on a table.

One of the major pain points of the modern smart home is its digital nature. Whether it’s controlling your smart lights, robot vacuum, smart lock, or thermostat, there’s a good chance you’re using a smartphone for most of your interactions. That makes it less than ideal for other members of the household -- or even guests -- to make changes to your setup. This is where Flic comes into play, as the company offers a lineup of physical buttons and dials so everyone can use your favorite smart devices without the need for a digital interface.

I’ve been testing out both the Flic Smart Buttons and Flic Twist, and while they lack certain functionalities, they’re bound to be a fun addition to most smart homes. That’s especially true if you use Alexa or HomeKit, as both platforms work with the innovative smart buttons.
The Flic app makes setup a breeze

Read more
Echo Show 21 vs. Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen): which is best for your smart home?
Amazon's new Echo Show 21 and updated Echo Show 15.

Amazon just released two new smart displays -- the completely new Echo Show 21 and the updated Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen). Both are premium options for your home, offering powerful speakers, Full HD displays, and heaps of useful apps so you can stream videos or check your schedule. But which is the better option? The gigantic Echo Show 21, or the updated Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen)? Here’s a closer look at both to help you decide.
Pricing and design

The Echo Show 21 is the biggest member of the Echo Show family, and it’s got the price tag to prove it. Clocking in at $400, it’s a hefty investment. Its design is pretty premium, however, and it can be either mounted on a wall or placed on a table with an adjustable stand (sold separately). The Echo Show 15 looks much the same, though it’s quite a bit smaller. But from a design standpoint, it’s essentially a shrunken version of the Echo Show 21. It too can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table with an optional adjustable stand. But at $300, it’s much easier on the wallet.

Read more
Apple gearing up for ‘first foray into smart home camera market’
Apple Fifth Avenue Store Apple Logo

Apple is planning to release a smart home security camera in 2026, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, a prominent figure with contacts in Apple’s supply chain in Asia.

“Apple is making its first foray into the smart home IP camera market, with mass production scheduled for 2026, targeting annual shipments in the tens of millions,” Kuo wrote in an online post shared on Monday, adding that Chinese tech firm GoerTek will be the exclusive assembly supplier.

Read more