at this point, a huge amount of information has been crammed into smartphones. often at times, it’s difficult to break through the noise to find relevant, important information. over the past year, the dot team has made their mission to streamline and improve people’s lives by organizing their information by the right time and place, making mobile notifications more intelligent and contextual.

 

 

video courtesy of kunal chaudhary

 

 

 

introducing ‘dot’, the physical push notification that tells your phone exactly where users are so that it understands behaviors and patterns in the places the make up your life (living room, bedroom, garage, work, car, etc). the physical notification serves a dual purpose: it provides ultra-precise location data to smartphones, and, allows users to create interactive interfaces anywhere. this combination creates an valuable asset when dealing with data — context.

dot the physical push notification designboom
users can set timely reminders based upon their context

 

 

 

‘dot’ features a bluetooth 4.0 proximity sensor that can precisely track a location with 200 feet of range. users simply have to decide which area is important to place it and determine what kind of information they would like to receive in that area. the proximity sensor communicates with the accompanying smartphone application (iPhone and android) so that when different zones are walked into, different triggers can react and respond.

dot the physical push notification designboom
a host of applications are compatible, plus users can make their own custom commands

 

 

 

it’s modeled after the free, internet of things service, IFTTT; users can make things happen based on location tracking. there are a variety apps that a user can tie to their dot. it’s easy to swap apps in and out and customize user settings. the start-up have taken their own approach to IFTTT by building and launching a free app store, allowing users to submit and download apps created using ‘dots’ application programming interface.

dot the physical push notification designboom
various ‘internet of things’ devices can communicate with ‘dot’

 

 

 

the final hardware feature of the dot is the LED that can change color based upon different information. the ‘IOT LED’ light allows smartphones to display relevant information at a mere glance. the goal of the california-based start-ups is to filter existing information using context, giving people the shortest, sweetest messages they need. 

dot the physical push notification designboom
it displays different colors based upon the different information received

 

 

 

 
it was recognized early on that people could have a multitude of uses for this technology in their lives. it has been built with the intention of letting people pick and choose which applications would most benefit them. ‘dot’ has an endless amount of applications: post a message on a ‘dot’ for another person. they’ll receive that message on their phone when they walk into range. it’s like sticking a note on the fridge — it is only seen it when it need to be.

dot the physical push notification designboom
placing it in important areas optimizes the user experience

 

 

 

with precise location tracking all smart home devices can be controlled by walking into a room. lights can turn on or off, the coffee machine can start, and the thermostat can adjust to user preferences. it is a flexible alternative to smart home controllers; it enables smartphones to open up apps that are in frequent use in specific areas. imagine, getting into your car and instantly being routed home as your favorite spotify playlist plays through the speakers — ‘dot’ uses context to streamline lives.

dot the physical push notification designboom
smart commands can communicate with automotive technologies

 

 

 

‘dot’ can enable smartphones to send updates at times when new areas have been walked into. it can be used like a personal secretary when walking into work in the morning, or as a timely reminder for the errand when the garage is entered; it also changes color people walk into range, making it the ultimate signal shortcut. it can track reminders, weather, stocks, food spoilage, energy conservation, etc. 

 

the physical push notification ‘dot’ is reaching out for funding via its kickstarter campaign, which can be viewed here.

dot the physical push notification designboom

dot the physical push notification designboom