Tired of interruptions? Flipper just dropped the Busy Bar, a $249 hardware gadget designed to loudly and clearly signal to everyone around you that you're deep in concentration and should not be disturbed.
This isn't just another digital notification blocker. The Busy Bar features a prominent LED screen that can display "BUSY" in bright red, or you can customize it with messages like "GO AWAY." It's a physical "do not disturb" sign for your desk, aimed at cutting through the noise of open offices and constant digital distractions.
The device comes from Flipper Devices, the creators of the popular (and somewhat controversial) Flipper Zero portable hacking tool. While the Busy Bar shares the Flipper name, it's a completely separate product with no hacking capabilities. "It's being made by us here at Flipper, but there's no real connection to them," explains Callum Tennent, a creative writer at Flipper. "They're totally disconnected products."
Flipper argues that a dedicated hardware solution is more effective than software-only focus tools. "It seems absolutely crazy that you have to pick up your phone in order to stop yourself from picking up your phone," Tennent points out. The Busy Bar features manual controls, including a switch for modes, a dial for setting timers, and a large button to start or pause sessions, supporting techniques like Pomodoro.
The Busy Bar also plays nice with your smart home. It's Matter-certified, meaning it can sync with other devices. Imagine hitting the Busy Bar and having your smart lights instantly turn red, signaling your need for solitude throughout your home. It can even integrate with your microphone for calls or recordings, automatically activating the busy status when you're live.
Despite some online chatter calling it over-engineered, Flipper insists the Busy Bar offers significant utility beyond its display. The device is open source and designed for easy repair, with disassembly guides already available on iFixit, indicating Flipper's awareness of its community's penchant for tinkering.
