TechCrunch50 visit: Devices and the Web

Spent a few days in San Francisco at TechCrunch50 churning the imagination a little.  The conference started out mixed on the first day but finished strong.  While it'll take me another week or so to really digest and reflect on all the startups I saw and conversations I had, there were a few insights that stuck out a mile for me personally.  Here one on Devices and the Web

•  I've been muttering about devices and their integration into the web for a few years now and still retain a subscription to "Embedded Systems" mostly to track how much easier and less capital-intensive it has become to put down a bet in this space.  I'll even admit to having a Chumby 1.0 and few other net aware gadgets but one gadget at the conference took my fancy as a great example of how devices and sensors will enrich our world.
• The company was called "Fitbit" and they have a well-designed personal activity monitor that can track physical activity and inactivity like a pedometer and sync wirelessly with its dock which will sync with a web site that allows you to track your activity and goals.  Its a brilliant concept given how much good intent can be reinforced with a little nudge.  Appropriately, the device doesn't do a lot - no fancy heart monitor here - just a basic activity monitor.  Wise choice!

• As a collector of modern automata and kinetic toys (and aspiring designer/maker), I've been eagerly awaiting more "off-the-shelf" parts to design/assemble amusements.  Utilitarian robots (e.g. Roomba) and cute dinosaurs are nice but sure would be nice to have more whimsy, connectivity and character in our devices and less of that "sync" business. There was a snippet in the commentary from the judges about the relative cost of prototyping devices like this coming down into the 150K range (less if you subscribe to Make Magazine and use the local TechShop.)