Wacky Product of the Week: Buddy Radio

Welcome back to the wonderful world of odd and interesting doodads. This week I return to share yet another wacky product found while on my endless journey through the strange new world we know as...The Internet.

(Cue ominous voice echoes...)

Speaking of the internet, I'm sure many of us have older relatives and friends who are just a bit, shall we say, less-than-savvy when it comes to navigating the web. Let's be honest--some are downright uncomfortable when it comes to maneuvering through websites. That feeling of unease can lead them to shy away from joining in the fun and cyber-connectivity of social sites like Facebook or Twitter.

Finally, a product has come along seeking to merge more old school sensibilities with new era forms of interaction.

The Buddy Radio, developed by UK-based Sidekick Studios, "lets long-term-care patients broadcast their moods via Facebook and Twitter." Basically the keyboard and mouse are replaced by the old time radio looking device pictured at the top of this blog. Aside from just offering an easier outlet for people to better express themselves on their favorite social network of choice, the device could serve a more practical function. Jill Singer at FastCompany has written a great article describing just how the Buddy Radio could be instrumental in saving seniors' lives.

"The Buddy Radio helps patients with long-term mental and physical illnesses manage care by allowing them to broadcast their mood to a network of friends, family, and professional-care workers. Users simply turn a dial to the setting that best expresses their current state, and a message is transmitted to a range of social media platforms: email, text, Facebook, IM, Twitter, etc."

This sounds pretty savvy to me. Our friends in the UK should be applauded for coming up with something this helpful and equally fun. Wacky and substantive? What a wonderful concept. Be sure to read more and check out the video of the Buddy Radio in action at the above link.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @SavingsGCapes where I am usually talking up the latest wacky product that has captured my attention. Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend and I'll see you all right back here next week.