Connect Any Thing to the Cloud. Meet Twine!
Are you a homeowner who is assiduous about attending to your home and concerned that something might happen if you vacation for more than two weeks at a time? Well, David Carr and John Kestner, popular designer-engineers and MIT Media Lab graduates, have created a wireless device integrated with a cloud-based service. Essentially the gadget connects your physical objects to the web via texting, tweeting or emailing. "Twine" may be your ticket to freedom from house hassle worries while on that month long vacation to Bali, Hawaii or Hong Kong because through Twine, you will be able to access functionality to your home while on a journey across the seven seas.
How is this possible? Twine offers remote access. And what's really great about this device is that you don't have to be a skilled technician/programmer, because Twine, to be more specific, doesn't require expertise in "wiring an Arduino board" to one's thermostat. Twine is an iceberg; it surprises when you give it a close look see and realize there is a lot below the surface of this amazing cloud tool whose size belies it's capabilities.
Along with WiFi connectivity, Twine has a "thermometer to measure its internal temperature and an accelerometer to track any movement it experiences," because the 2.5" device has built in WiFi, temperature and vibration sensors and a connector for other sensors. Two probes provide for several functions controlled by "Spool," a web app. Powered via an on-board mini USB or two AAA batteries, you will get an email when you need to change the batteries.
How does Twine work for you? OK. You went to Eli's for your New Year's catering order? Well, Twine just tweeted, letting you know your laundry is done. You're in Bali for the winter? Twine let you know the dreaded leak came back in the basement so you can text your contractor and others to go over, clean up the mess and make repairs. The possibilities are limitless.
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