Talking mirror now available for your home

Adding secondary functions to mirrors isn't a new concept, but Craig Barr has literally made a dream -- or at least a fairy tale -- come true. The animatronics guru that produced the King Kong ride at Universal Studios Florida has channeled his creative powers to Themeaddicts, Inc., a startup company that makes it their business to turn wild fantasies into take-home products. The "Magic Message Mirror," aside from being a decoration of stunning novelty, doubles as a security monitor in which Basil, your on-screen tipster, gives you the low-down on what's happening on your premises. The mirror is connected to a series of triggers and cameras mounted around your domicile, and when those alarms are activated the system springs to life while Basil magically appears to alert you. This conversion piece is mighty sophisticated, and even Barr admits he's aiming this at "cribs like you see on TV," so we're not surprised that pricing is not disclosed. If you consider off on-the-wall security devices and home decor must-haves, then Basil should fit the bill quite well. You can catch the mirror and its inventor at the CEDIA Expo this September.

[Gadget Extremist @ Jul 20th 2006 4:03AM]

Phillips has been making plasma based mirror TV's for a little while now and Costco once had them for sale on their website. The display they are using looks just like the one of several Costco had for sale.


http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,111100,00.asp
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=phillips%20mirror%20tv&btnG=Google+Search&sa=N&tab=wi

[John @ Jul 20th 2006 4:04AM]

Snoop Dogg is definitely on the pre-order list...

[DaftDude @ Jul 20th 2006 4:21AM]

It's official we live in the future. Remember all those movies where houses have their own form of intelligence and an avatar. This is a step en the right direction.

[Keith L. Dick @ Jul 20th 2006 4:57AM]

My Bank Account is a "Little Light Right at this Moment"...

I'll get back to ya when I can afford to throw away Millions on Useless Junk...

Got Neighbors???, like as in Milk???...

Invite them over once in awhile and *Feed Em* to pay them back for keeping a lookout on your Homestead... Lot's of *Booze* will soften the Agreement...

Using Your Pool will more than likely give them a sense of *We like You* come over any time and borrow our Lawnmower as long as your kids mow both our lawns...

[RisingSunofNihon @ Jul 20th 2006 7:05AM]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't "cribs you see on TV" have guard houses and state-of-the-art security systems anyway? Why the hell would they need a talking mirror?

[Ken @ Jul 20th 2006 8:01AM]

Cameras, talking mirror?! Awesome, now we can take voyeurism to a whole new limit!

Now you can buy Barr's talking mirror for your apartment, equip the neighboring apartments with "security cameras", and sit back as Basil tells you when Jessica's taking out the twins! "Yes, Basil, I quite agree. Sharon's in fine form tonight."

[stingraze @ Jul 20th 2006 8:34AM]

Hmm... Very interesting, but kind of scary looking guy to talk to.

[Irony @ Jul 20th 2006 9:12AM]

FINALLY my secret desire to be 80's rapper Slick Rick can be fulfilled.

I woke up around ten o'clock in the morning
I gave myself a stretch up, a morning yawn and
Went to the bathroom to wash up
Put some soap on my face and my hand upon a cup, said
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who is the top choice of them all
there was a rumble tumble, five minutes it lasted
the mirror said, "You are you conceited bastard!"

[DJEJ @ Jul 20th 2006 10:18AM]

Can I join you as Doug E. Fresh? My beatboxing skills are excellent...

[The Jeremy @ Jul 20th 2006 12:19PM]

Someone watched way too much of *The Charmings* when it was on ABC.

[Dana @ Jul 20th 2006 1:28PM]

Great article! Keep up the good work :)

That's a cool mirror.

[Perrey Z. @ Jul 20th 2006 3:27PM]

I don't like the idea of a talking back mirror named Basil., things might get nasty, imagine if i ask "Basil who's the most handsome man on all?" His reply might not be what i like to hear, especially in the morning! But for the cash i'm putting down to get this "beotch", it better say it's me.