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Chumby was first introduced in November 2006 as a concept product, and has now come to market with an impressive array of features, matching its original promises. Chumby is a hackable clock radio that is also a simple wi-fi device that can sit anywhere in your home and display any flash widgets that are part of the chumby network. The widgets are sent via the network for free and don't require a subscription or annual fee. Some widget examples include: photo viewing, video viewing, music, news, weather, sports, travel and popular shopping sites like eBay, craigslist and woot. Any widget can be added to the chumby network, although developers must comply with some chumby standards available on the development wiki.

Where to Buy

chumby with ebay
MSRP $180.00
Release date October, 2007
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Pros & Cons5
Reviews5
Details
Buy It
Competitors4
Comments3
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
5 reviews
57
negative
mixed
positive
3 positive
1 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Can view the internet without being at a computer
+4agreedisagree

•
The outer shell is customizable as well
+2agreedisagree

•
Simple Internet WiFi appliance
+2agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Widgets must be built under the chumby platform - not any generic RSS
+3agreedisagree

•
Widgets are sent via the chumby network
+2agreedisagree


6 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Chumby specifications

  • 350 MHz processor
  • 3.5" LCD screen
  • 2 USB hubs
  • 64 MB RAM
  • 2W stereo speakers
  • headphone jack
  • Squeeze sensor
  • Accelerometer

Note: the chumby must be plugged into a power outlet to work, it does not run on batteries (AC adapter included)

Chumby Widgets

The Chumby is completely customizable and caters well to the do-it-yourself crowd. The hardware and software source code are available, and developers can use chumby's provided HDK and SDK. The outer casing can also be changed since the core electronics were kept modular from its outer shell.

Availability

Chumby is now available at the Chumby online store. It sells for $179.95 (/w free shipping) and is available in basic black, pearl and latte colors.

Submit a link

This report was started November 17, 2006 at 6:13 am by rcavin
with the last edit occurring October 10, 2009 at 8:00 pm by salimfadhley
This page has been viewed 2548 times, with 45 edits by 10 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Chumby | Black

• basic black chumby

UPC: 110542020128

EAN: 110542020128

MPN: CHBABLK3NXXXX

Chumby | Latte

• latte chumby

UPC: 810542010135

EAN: 810542010135

MPN: CHLATTE3NXXXX

Chumby | Blue

• varsity blue chumby

UPC: 810542010166

EAN: 810542010166

MPN: CHVBLUE3NXXXX

Competitors

Chumby is ranked 3rd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Widget Stations »
Logitech Squeezebox Radio

Logitech Squeezebox Radio

MSRP  $199.99    Released  September, 2009
Pros
  • streams music off a home wireless network
  • 2.4" colour display
  • compatible with popular internet radio streaming services
Cons
  • expensive for an alarm clock
  • gimmicky features like Facebook photograph viewing, screen savers / visualizations
  • no digital outs
ProSCORE
2 reviews
69
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Chumby 0% vs. vote Logitech Squeezebox Radio 100%
Photoskins PS100

Photoskins PS100

MSRP  --    Released  --
Pros
  • Portable widget device
  • Tiny - about the size of a credit card
  • Can be used as a desktop widget display
Cons
  • No WiFi
ProSCORE
3 reviews
75
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Chumby 50% vs. vote Photoskins PS100 50%
WidgetStation

WidgetStation

MSRP  $0.00    Released  --
Pros
  • Widget
Cons
  • Perhaps vaporware
ProSCORE
2 reviews
50
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Chumby 50% vs. vote WidgetStation 50%
Pure Sensia

Pure Sensia

MSRP  --    Releases  December, 2009
Pros
  • Futuristic design
  • Remote control
  • Loud speakers
Cons
  • Not compatible with existing widget formats (e.g. Chumby)
  • Depends on Pure's servers to work
  • No 802.11n
ProSCORE
1 review
69
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Chumby   vs. vote Pure Sensia  

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Comments

12 taps
1.  avatar Erik said:

I've been following this product for a while now (since I independently came up with the same idea) and I'm very intrigued by the Chumby. I don't know if the price is set correctly at $180, since I would probably pay the extra $100 and bump up to an 8GB iPod Touch. Also, the proprietary chumby widget platform annoys me. I want this thing to be fully open, and completely hackable, moddable, and customizable.

PS - I still want one.

Attn chumby industries inc.: Please send me a chumby!
Oct 28, 2007 12:00pm
2.  avatar V-Dawg said:

Just thinking about this thing gives me a major chumby.
I agree with Erik.. I want one, i want it fully open etc, and I want it for under a $100.

It's interesting to me that this must be the future of clock radios. Looks like the term clock radio will die out, as these types of devices become cheaper and cheaper. This thing will cost less than 30 bucks in a few years.
Nov 19, 2007 7:27pm
3.  avatar salimfadhley said:

Can somebody who actually owns a Chumby comment on how good it is as a bedside clock radio?
Oct 09, 2009 12:32pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Erik

avatar
October 28, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
60
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
2 cons
want itwant it
love itlove it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Can view the internet without being at a computer
  • The outer shell is customizable as well
  • Simple Internet WiFi appliance

Cons

  • Widgets must be built under the chumby platform - not any generic RSS
  • Widgets are sent via the chumby network

Comments

"I've been following this product for a while now (since I independently came up with the same idea) and I'm very intrigued by the Chumby. I don't know if the price is set correctly at $180, since I would probably pay the extra $100 and bump up to an 8GB iPod Touch. Also, the proprietary chumby widget platform annoys me. I want this thing to be fully open, and completely hackable, moddable, and customizable.

PS - I still want one.

Attn chumby industries inc.: Please send me a chumby!"

Competitors

Erik prefers Chumby over Photoskins PS100, WidgetStation
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Amanie

avatar
October 28, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
50
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
2 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Can view the internet without being at a computer
  • The outer shell is customizable as well

Cons

  • Widgets must be built under the chumby platform - not any generic RSS
  • Widgets are sent via the chumby network

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

V-Dawg

avatar
November 19, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
want itwant it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Can view the internet without being at a computer

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Comments

"Just thinking about this thing gives me a major chumby.
I agree with Erik.. I want one, i want it fully open etc, and I want it for under a $100.

It's interesting to me that this must be the future of clock radios. Looks like the term clock radio will die out, as these types of devices become cheaper and cheaper. This thing will cost less than 30 bucks in a few years."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

desjardinsy001

avatar
November 19, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
0 cons
want itwant it
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Can view the internet without being at a computer
  • Simple Internet WiFi appliance

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Manzabar

avatar
November 6, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
2 cons
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Widgets must be built under the chumby platform - not any generic RSS
  • Widgets are sent via the chumby network

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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