MONO IS AN ARDUINO-COMPATIBLE TOUCHSCREEN DEVICE FOR "MAKERS"

Posted By Simon Montford on Dec 4 2014

Mono is a mini touchscreen device invented by a Danish startup, MonoLit. The device can also be used to control almost anything that's connected to the Internet. The gadget looks like a mini smartphone (about the size of a matchbox) and can be programmed to interact with most popular single-board microcontrollers such as Arduino or Rasperry Pi. 

The general idea is that it will be able to control the automated home, so the home owner won't need to use their smartphone. I can see this as being ideal for visitors who would otherwise need to borrow the owner's phone to say check the weather, dim lights or adjust room temperature. 

For those eager to get started with mono right out of the box, there is monoKiosk, an appmarket with eight free apps to install right away. MonoKiosk will work as a platform for developers to upload and share their apps with the world.

Mono is portable, wearable and connectable and comes with a long-life battery and a touch display. Additional sensors and wireless options are available, and it is apparently very easy to program. The Mono is intended for "Makers" who like building and tinkering with things, so it will be up to them to figure out how the device will ultimately be used but some intended applications include:

• Weather: Display online weather data for today and tomorrow 
• Agenda: Synchronized calendar feed 
• Accelerate: Sense, monitor and record Mono’s movement 
• Alarm Clock: Let Mono wake you up in the morning or use it as a timer
• Chronos: A beautiful wall or wristwatch 
• Temperature: Monitor ambient temperature and get notifications on your phone 
• Hue Remote: One-click control of your Philips Hue lights 
• Next Ride: Display the next train or bus arriving at your closest station or bus stop​

The device can be pre-ordered on Kickstarter at a cost of $79 (early bird discount $69) and will be available Q2 2015. The RRP will be around 20% higher.

Pre-order: Kickstarter

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