BUSY BAR: VISUAL BOUNDARIES FOR MODERN LIFE
Image Credit: Flipper Devices
The Busy Bar, by Flipper Devices, is a pixel display you mount on your desk, door, or wall to make one thing crystal clear: “Please don’t.” Don’t knock. Don’t barge in. Don’t ask if you’ve seen the email yet. It’s a visual boundary for a world allergic to subtlety.
At first glance, it looks like a charming little LED marquee from a tiny arcade, and that’s part of the appeal. But it’s not just a novelty sign – it’s a surprisingly robust productivity tool that syncs with your devices, knows your meeting schedule, and even mutes your notifications when you’re in deep work mode. There’s a Pomodoro-style timer built in, a rear display just for you, and large, physical buttons that feel more intentional than swiping through yet another app.
The LED display is wide and crisp, fully customizable, and bright enough to get the point across. A giant pause/play button on the side lets you shift modes with a satisfying click, and the scroll wheel sets your focus session length like you're dialing in an espresso shot.
What really makes the Busy Bar click is how smart it is behind the scenes. It syncs with your calendar, lights, Slack status, even your music setup – thanks to Matter support and an open API for the tinkerers. On a basic level, that means it can automatically flash a “busy” message or start a countdown when you're in a meeting or need focused time. Think of it like a red light with a timer – studies show drivers feel way less antsy when they know how long the wait is. This does the same for your workday.
For remote workers, creators, parents, or anyone tired of yelling “Give me five minutes,” this thing offers a stylish, gentle way to reclaim your time. No need to hang a sock on the doorknob. This one glows.
Check it out at the Busy Bar website.
Image Credit: Flipper Devices