Comments on: Chirp sends information from one smartphone to another, using electronic birdsong http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 07:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: James Penrose http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1550066 James Penrose Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1550066 Oh good, walk by a mockingbird and reformat your hard drive?   :) Or have your canary rebroadcast your link to www.iliketeenbondage.com every time someone is in the room. Oh good, walk by a mockingbird and reformat your hard drive?   :)

Or have your canary rebroadcast your link to http://www.iliketeenbondage.com every time someone is in the room.

]]> By: kwhitefoot http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549806 kwhitefoot Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549806 I hope the rest of it is better than their understanding of Bluetooth.  They claim: "Unlike Bluetooth, Chirp doesn't require you to pair devices"  That would make more sense if it said: "Just like Bluetooth, Chirp doesn't require you to pair devices". Bluetooth only requires pairing if you want to allow the other device to browse or control your device.  If all you want to do is send a file then the recipient simply accepts it.  Of course, they seem to be Apple fans so they probably don't understand how easy Bluetooth is for the rest of the world.  One of my colleagues took a picture of me with his iPhone and offered to send it to me, I said "Go ahead, my mobile's Bluetooth id is x" but he couldn't do that, he could only email it to me. I hope the rest of it is better than their understanding of Bluetooth.  They claim: “Unlike Bluetooth, Chirp doesn’t require you to pair devices”  That would make more sense if it said: “Just like Bluetooth, Chirp doesn’t require you to pair devices”.
Bluetooth only requires pairing if you want to allow the other device to browse or control your device.  If all you want to do is send a file then the recipient simply accepts it.  Of course, they seem to be Apple fans so they probably don’t understand how easy Bluetooth is for the rest of the world.  One of my colleagues took a picture of me with his iPhone and offered to send it to me, I said “Go ahead, my mobile’s Bluetooth id is x” but he couldn’t do that, he could only email it to me.

]]> By: wafna http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549682 wafna Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549682 my first thought: wait'll the mockingbirds get wind of this. my first thought: wait’ll the mockingbirds get wind of this.

]]> By: AwesomeRobot http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549671 AwesomeRobot Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549671 I like the idea for transmitting data to groups — you could play something like this over a loudspeaker and distribute a link to anyone within earshot.  Though, of course they'd all have to have the app and you may get more of an audience by just saying a human rememberable link... but the idea is cute.  I like the idea for transmitting data to groups — you could play something like this over a loudspeaker and distribute a link to anyone within earshot. 

Though, of course they’d all have to have the app and you may get more of an audience by just saying a human rememberable link… but the idea is cute. 

]]> By: puppybeard http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549651 puppybeard Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549651 All the haters are missing a trick: get an aviary of lyre birds, and use them as intermediaries. You'd be living in a Game of Thrones / Web 9.0 crossover-dreamworld in no time. All the haters are missing a trick: get an aviary of lyre birds, and use them as intermediaries.

You’d be living in a Game of Thrones / Web 9.0 crossover-dreamworld in no time.

]]> By: puppybeard http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549650 puppybeard Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549650 I think it's a cute idea and implementation, but yeah, you hit the nail on the head. Also it must require that the receiving device be actively processing sounds to receive it, which is just clunky. It solves no problem whatsoever, how they got spun out I don't know. I think it’s a cute idea and implementation, but yeah, you hit the nail on the head. Also it must require that the receiving device be actively processing sounds to receive it, which is just clunky.

It solves no problem whatsoever, how they got spun out I don’t know.

]]> By: Sarah http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549640 Sarah Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549640 I have been 'chirping' a bit with people at the office. Imagine it working to 'broadcast' data over the phone or radio, etc. I have been ‘chirping’ a bit with people at the office. Imagine it working to ‘broadcast’ data over the phone or radio, etc.

]]> By: Katie http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549628 Katie Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549628 This is totally, totally brilliant.  Nobody seems to have noticed you can download the app and 'chirp' pictures to your phone from the video.  Seriously cool idea - doors blown open. This is totally, totally brilliant. 

Nobody seems to have noticed you can download the app and ‘chirp’ pictures to your phone from the video. 

Seriously cool idea – doors blown open.

]]> By: Tynam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549626 Tynam Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549626 Acoustic couplers were always cool. Acoustic couplers were always cool.

]]> By: Chentzilla http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549601 Chentzilla Fri, 05 Oct 2012 08:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549601 If anything can send these tones, then why is it an iPhone app only? If anything can send these tones, then why is it an iPhone app only?

]]> By: Jonbly Herbert http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549572 Jonbly Herbert Fri, 05 Oct 2012 07:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549572 Sorry I'm late, but a pigeon hacked my iPhone to order some birdseed... Sorry I’m late, but a pigeon hacked my iPhone to order some birdseed…

]]> By: taghag http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549571 taghag Fri, 05 Oct 2012 07:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549571 it doesn't have to be new technology to be cool.  re-purposing old and out-dated protocols and tech to work on our new toys with a new story behind it can be a wonderful thing.  i saw chirp a few days ago and it started a whole conversation about transferring data thought sound, which of course turned into an educative discussion about the history of computing. anything that can evoke a sense of wonder is fine by me! :) it doesn’t have to be new technology to be cool.  re-purposing old and out-dated protocols and tech to work on our new toys with a new story behind it can be a wonderful thing.  i saw chirp a few days ago and it started a whole conversation about transferring data thought sound, which of course turned into an educative discussion about the history of computing.

anything that can evoke a sense of wonder is fine by me! :)

]]> By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549568 That_Anonymous_Coward Fri, 05 Oct 2012 06:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549568 You all laugh now, just wait until Rumblefish claims ownership of your chirp. *waits for you to go work the Google because this is a trip down memory lane* You all laugh now, just wait until Rumblefish claims ownership of your chirp.

*waits for you to go work the Google because this is a trip down memory lane*

]]> By: madsci http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549482 madsci Fri, 05 Oct 2012 02:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549482 Oddly enough, I just popped in while taking a break from redesigning a device that actually *does* send pictures using sound, which is not a new thing at all.  I recently got to meet a couple of guys who pioneered the field of slow-scan television after WWII - truly impressive stuff when the only image storage available was in cathode ray tubes.   They were transferring low-resolution grayscale images in about 8 seconds back then. Designing a modem to sound pleasing to the ear does present some interesting challenges, but they've got the advantage of only needing to send a few bytes of data at a time.  A dozen bytes would be enough for as large a database of URLs as you'd ever need, with room for error detection and correction.  Presumably they're using FSK with tones selected to not sound too harsh. Calling it biomimicry is purely a marketing ploy.  It's a modem, and not a particularly novel one from the sound of it. EDIT: I just checked over their technical summary, and to their credit they're not trying to pass it off as something it's not, and they're pretty open with the details. It's basically early 1960s technology, but making it work easily with MIDI sequencers is kind of clever. Oddly enough, I just popped in while taking a break from redesigning a device that actually *does* send pictures using sound, which is not a new thing at all.  I recently got to meet a couple of guys who pioneered the field of slow-scan television after WWII – truly impressive stuff when the only image storage available was in cathode ray tubes.   They were transferring low-resolution grayscale images in about 8 seconds back then.

Designing a modem to sound pleasing to the ear does present some interesting challenges, but they’ve got the advantage of only needing to send a few bytes of data at a time.  A dozen bytes would be enough for as large a database of URLs as you’d ever need, with room for error detection and correction.  Presumably they’re using FSK with tones selected to not sound too harsh.

Calling it biomimicry is purely a marketing ploy.  It’s a modem, and not a particularly novel one from the sound of it.

EDIT: I just checked over their technical summary, and to their credit they’re not trying to pass it off as something it’s not, and they’re pretty open with the details. It’s basically early 1960s technology, but making it work easily with MIDI sequencers is kind of clever.

]]> By: bobcorrigan http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549481 bobcorrigan Fri, 05 Oct 2012 02:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549481 Soon, our novel NEW technology will ASTOUND the world of MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Introducing. . . SMELL-O-DATA. Soon, our novel NEW technology will ASTOUND the world of MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

Introducing. . . SMELL-O-DATA.

]]> By: Bryan "bytehead" Price http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549458 Bryan "bytehead" Price Fri, 05 Oct 2012 02:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549458 Yeah, it's the modem version of a CueCat, without the hardware dongle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CueCat Yeah, it’s the modem version of a CueCat, without the hardware dongle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CueCat

]]> By: TheKaz1969 http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549412 TheKaz1969 Fri, 05 Oct 2012 01:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549412 I got one of these, and now I got f%cking birds spamming me with senseless messages... I got one of these, and now I got f%cking birds spamming me with senseless messages…

]]> By: waetherman http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549342 waetherman Thu, 04 Oct 2012 23:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549342 To be fair, there is an interesting idea behind this, and some utility. While it doesn't make much sense on a 1-to-1 basis (other tech is probably better) in a 1-to-many situation it actually makes sense. Rather than reading out a URL, gathering email addresses of a bunch of people in a room, etc this is a way to "broadcast" a bit of data like a picture or URL - think of it like an audio bitly or QR code, Sure, the situations where it might be handy are limited, but it isn't completely pointless. To be fair, there is an interesting idea behind this, and some utility. While it doesn’t make much sense on a 1-to-1 basis (other tech is probably better) in a 1-to-many situation it actually makes sense. Rather than reading out a URL, gathering email addresses of a bunch of people in a room, etc this is a way to “broadcast” a bit of data like a picture or URL – think of it like an audio bitly or QR code, Sure, the situations where it might be handy are limited, but it isn’t completely pointless.

]]> By: Erica http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549326 Erica Thu, 04 Oct 2012 22:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549326 Brilliant! If it works like a modem, then it gets a whole new meaning in the age of mobile phones. This adds new possibilities to the way we use existing technologies. Brilliant! If it works like a modem, then it gets a whole new meaning in the age of mobile phones. This adds new possibilities to the way we use existing technologies.

]]> By: Henry Lowengard http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549283 Henry Lowengard Thu, 04 Oct 2012 22:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549283 I wrote a little program on the Apple II to play the answer tones to an acoustic modem across the room back in 1980. But more recently, I've had a 5 channel audio "chirping" app in the iOs app store for months now. http://www.jhhl.net/iPhone/Banshee. It originally has a mosquito mode for transmitting with audio to high in pitch for us old timers to hear, but I brought down the frequency ranges somewhat.  I wrote a little program on the Apple II to play the answer tones to an acoustic modem across the room back in 1980. But more recently, I’ve had a 5 channel audio “chirping” app in the iOs app store for months now. http://www.jhhl.net/iPhone/Banshee. It originally has a mosquito mode for transmitting with audio to high in pitch for us old timers to hear, but I brought down the frequency ranges somewhat. 

]]> By: morcheeba http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549260 morcheeba Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549260 Acoustic couplers are cool again, then, right? Acoustic couplers are cool again, then, right?

]]> By: Dave X http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549257 Dave X Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549257 Sounds great until some avian mastermind uses our technology against us. Hiding in our bunkers, they'll finally make a decisive strike on the world's sunflower supply... Sounds great until some avian mastermind uses our technology against us. Hiding in our bunkers, they’ll finally make a decisive strike on the world’s sunflower supply…

]]> By: George Herbert http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549253 George Herbert Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549253 I invented this in the late 1980s, and nearly got in trouble for putting out a fake Apple press release for the new "AppleSquawk" product... I invented this in the late 1980s, and nearly got in trouble for putting out a fake Apple press release for the new “AppleSquawk” product…

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549250 Boundegar Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549250 All your technical analyses overlook one thing: R2D2!!! All your technical analyses overlook one thing: R2D2!!!

]]> By: jimkirk http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549240 jimkirk Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549240 Looks like they're not transmitting much data.  Sort of like a QR code, they just chirp a link to the chirp server which the recipient can then go to.  And what happens when the chirp server is down? "The audio engine tries to decode the sequence of notes into a sequence of letters which our server understands. The server then returns a link to the user so they can go wherever the short code points: to a webpage, say." Looks like they’re not transmitting much data.  Sort of like a QR code, they just chirp a link to the chirp server which the recipient can then go to.  And what happens when the chirp server is down?

“The audio engine tries to decode the sequence of notes into a sequence of letters which our server understands. The server then returns a link to the user so they can go wherever the short code points: to a webpage, say.”

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549219 Dlo Burns Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549219 We're taking these anti-plague measures a bit far We’re taking these anti-plague measures a bit far

]]> By: simonbarsinister http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549215 simonbarsinister Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549215 We don't bump to transfer data anymore? I'm always behind on these things... We don’t bump to transfer data anymore? I’m always behind on these things…

]]> By: Bearpaw01 http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549207 Bearpaw01 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549207 Sending data via electric signals through a wire? Isn't that called "telegraphs"? Transmitting information with light? Why not just use heliographs? Communication with radio waves? Meh, they did a hundred years ago. Sending data via electric signals through a wire? Isn’t that called “telegraphs”?

Transmitting information with light? Why not just use heliographs?

Communication with radio waves? Meh, they did a hundred years ago.

]]> By: FoolishOwl http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549188 FoolishOwl Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549188 Fair point about it being basically a modem, but there's something to be said for style. Fair point about it being basically a modem, but there’s something to be said for style.

]]> By: peterkvt80 http://boingboing.net/2012/10/04/chirp-sends-information-from-o.html#comment-1549160 peterkvt80 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 20:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=185425#comment-1549160 Signalling with audio tones? Why not run a modem through the speaker then you might get 56kb out of it. Signalling with audio tones? Why not run a modem through the speaker then you might get 56kb out of it.

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