Ambient ORB F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) Return To The Amient Orb @ Convenient Gadgets Before you buy 1: What is an ambient device? 2: What kinds of information can the Ambient Orb show me? 3: How do I configure it? 4: Do I attach the Ambient Orb to my computer? 5: How does the Ambient Orb get information? 6: Does that mean it gives off radiation? 7: Where do you have wireless coverage? 8: How does it get power? 9: Is there a monthly cost? 10: Can the Ambient Orb break? 11: Can I buy more than one? 12: Where do I buy the Ambient Orb? Ambient Orb Setup 13: How do I set up the Ambient Orb? 14: Where should I put my orb? 15: I just plugged in my orb, why is it changing colors? 16: How do I know it's getting a signal? 17: What do the colors mean? 18: I'm moving. Do I need to do something? 19: I want to give the orb to a friend.What should I do? Activating the Ambient Orb 20: How do I make my Ambient Orb monitor different information? 21: Why do I need to give my email address? 22: Where is the serial number? 23: Why is it asking me my favorite color? 24: What is the difference between a free and premium account? 25: How much is a premium account? 26: Is there any penalty for canceling my premium account? 27: Do I need a unique account for every orb I own? 28: Can my orbs all be set to monitor different information? Using your Ambient Orb 29: How often is the orb updated? 30: How do I know the orb has been updated? 31: Where is the on/off switch? Should I turn the orb off when not in use? 32: What does the yellow button do? 33: The base gets a little warm. Is this OK? 34: Will I need to replace the bulb? Does the orb burn out? 35: What colors can it show? 36: Where is the software for this? Where's the CD-ROM? 37: Does this work with Windows XP? How about OSX? 38: What kind of browser do I need to configure the Ambient Orb? 39: Do I have to have an account with Ambient Devices in order to use my orb? 40: Can I get a friend to make my orb change color? 41: Will this work in my RV/boat/car? Can I take it on vacation? Coverage 42: Does this work anywhere in the US? 43: What about overseas? Advanced User Questions 44: Is there more than one version of the orb? 45: When will you be adding [name of information input]? 46: Can a write my own information inputs? 47: Can I get realtime stock quotes? 48: Can I take the orb apart? 49: How much power does the orb consume? 50: Can I use a different power transformer than the one you supplied? Real questions that real people asked about the Ambient Orb 51: What do you have planned next? 52: Are they safe around pets? 53: Why didn't anyone think of this before? 54: Will it talk to me? Before you buy 1: What is an ambient device? Top An ambient device is a simple wireless object that unobtrusively presents information. They can be wearable like a watch, carry-able like a pen, or installed like a lamp. They communicate via subtle changes in color, angle, size, motion, sound, and maybe even smell. 2: What kinds of information can the Ambient Orb show me? Top The ambient orb can potentially show summary information for anything available on the world wide web.  For starters, we have chosen to focus on stocks and weather.  We have also added pollen forecasts (for allergy sufferers), homeland security, plus some events predictions in conjunction with Newsfutures and USA Today.  We will continue to add new channels and plan to have an Instant Messenger running by the end of June. 3: How do I configure it? Top You can change the Orb's behavior, and the subject that you are monitoring with any Internet-connected computer at http://www.myambient.com/ 4: Do I attach the Ambient Orb to my computer? Top It doesn't attach to your computer. It receives wireless signals from the Ambient Network, and is configured via http://www.myambient.com/ 5: How does the Ambient Orb get information? Top Via a nationwide wireless network. It works in a similar way to cell phones and receivers. 6: Does that mean it gives off radiation? Top Well, technically just about everything that is powered in your house gives off radiation. Because the orb only receives information, it gives off far less than a cell phone. 7: Where do you have wireless coverage? Top Our coverage exceeds 95% of the U.S. population, and generally we have better coverage than cell phones. In almost every place you can get a cell phone signal, and many places you can't, your Ambient Orb will work. You may have some trouble if you live in extremely rural areas or in a lead-enclosed safe room 200 feet underground. 8: How does it get power? Top It will plug into any 100V power outlet. It works via a nationwide power network called electricity. See there are these holes in the walls of many homes …Seriously though, we hve discussed battery-powered versions at some point in the future, but for now the devices plug into a wall socket. 9: Is there a monthly cost? Top The Ambient Orb will work perfectly with no monthly fees. For premium information channels, for example a custom stock portfolio, there is a monthly fee. Basic channels, like stock market indexes or weather in major cities are free. Essentially we'd love to give it all away for free, but in certain cases either due to the amount of wireless messaging your personal orb requires, or because of relationships with the content providers, we need to charge a monthly service fee. We've been very fair in making this only one standard low fee, and having absolutely no long term contracts to sign. If you are using the Orb for basic services like the DOW Jones, feel free to enjoy it forever without paying a fee. 10: Can the Ambient Orb break? Top Well, the electronics are pretty sturdy, but the Orb itself is made of frosted glass. So if you drop it you might still get your information, but the glass probably won't make it. 11: Can I buy more than one? Top Yes. Many people want to monitor a few information channels, or they have multiple places where they want to keep an eye on some information. Buy one for every room. 12: Where do I buy the Ambient Orb? Top Purchase the Ambient Orb at Convenient Gadgets Convenient Gadgets. Ambient Orb Setup 13: How do I set up the Ambient Orb? Top Simply plug one end of the wall transformer into a wall and plug the other end into the orb. 14: Where should I put my orb? Top Put the orb where you can glance at it, or pass it often. Some people put them in the hall or on a book shelf in their home, or in a conference room or public place at work. We recommend putting it a little off to the side, so as not to be distracting.   15: I just plugged in my orb, why is it changing colors? Top The Ambient Orb will color cycle while it synchronizes with the network. This only needs to happen when you first plug it in and can take anywhere from 1-30 minutes.  For more info, see the user's manual. 16: How do I know it's getting a signal? Top When the orb stops color cycling it is synchronized to the Ambient Network and will receive signals continuously. It will rest on a solid color that indicates whatever information you have it set to track (the default is the DOW Jones Industrial Average for the day). 17: What do the colors mean? Top The colors indicated information. Green is good, yellow is OK, red is …you know. The magic part is that you can pick what information source you want to monitor: a stock portfolio, weather at the lake house, pollen count, or the congestion on your commute home. You can also pick new color schemes, such as Blue-Yellow-Red for weather. 18: I'm moving.  Do I need to do something? Top You may need to reprogram your orb for your new location so that it can receive proper signals in your new region. Generally each metropolitan area is a region, so if it is local move then don't worry.  Visit http://www.myambient.com/ and click on "manage account" for more information on repgramming your orb for your new area.  You can do this step either before you leave or after you arrive in the new location.  If you do not reprogram your orb, it may not work in the new area. 19: I want to give the orb to a friend.  What should I do? Top Start with some nice giftwrap.  If you haven't created an account, there's nothing you need to do.  Otherwise, you have two choices.  You can change your username and password for your friend, or you can delete your account, reset your orb, and have your friend create his or her own account.   Note that when you visit http://www.myambient.com/ if an orb is already registered, you cannot register it again under a different name. Activating the Ambient Orb 20: How do I make my Ambient Orb monitor different information? Top To change the settings on your orb you'll need to activate your orb at http://www.myambient.com/ 21: Why do I need to give my email address? Top This is used for identification purposes, and will come in handy if you decide to let your friends send you Ambient messages. We will never sell your e-mail address or spam you, ever. 22: Where is the serial number? Top The serial number is on the bottom of your Ambient Orb. 23: Why is it asking me my favorite color? Top Because we're curious. We promise not to use it to market only pink products to you. In fact, we won't use it for marketing at all. 24: What is the difference between a free (basic) and premium account? Top Well, free accounts are the less expensive. They offer basic channels like major stock market indices (DJIA, Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500), and the weather forecast in major cities (NY, LA, SF, Chicago). Many people will likely be perfectly happy with their basic account, but if you are going to want functions like Ambient Messaging or customizing your stock portfolio then you'll want a premium account. 25: How much is a premium account? Top The premium account is $6.95 a month or $19.95 a quarter. This is for unlimited usage and access to all the premium channels for your Ambient Orb. 26: Is there any penalty for canceling my premium account? Top No. You can switch back to a basic account at any time.  We won't refund you for service you may have paid for, but we don't require you to commit for any length of time.  We give three months free premium service so you have ample opportunity to try before you buy. 27: Do I need a unique account for every orb I own? Top No. Start your account with one of your orbs and you can easily add new orbs by going to Devices once you are logged in. 28: Can my orbs all be set to monitor different information? Top Yes. You can easily set one for the weather at your beach house and another for your stock portfolio, or whatever else you choose. Whether they are all the same or different is up to you. Using your Ambient Orb 29: How often is the orb updated? Top It receives signals when the information that you're monitoring changes. This might be as often as every minute, or as infrequently as once an hour. As long as your Orb is plugged in and receiving a signal, it will remain continuously up to date. 30: How do I know the orb has been updated? Top If the orb has stopped cycling colors then it is synchronized to the Ambient Network and will continuously be updated. Every time it receives a new update it will briefly "breath" (get dim and smoothly transition to the new color). This "breath" is a subtle indicator you will likely miss, but rest assured you can glance at your Ambient Orb at any time knowing it is showing current information. 31: Where is the on/off switch? Should I turn the orb off when not in use? Top Just leave it on. The Ambient Orb will last for many years, and uses about as much power as the clock on your VCR. If it is too bright then you can press down on the top of the orb and it will become dim. 32: What does the yellow button do? Top The button changes the brightness of the orb from bright to medium to dim (for at night). Simply press down on the top of the Ambient Orb to adjust brightness. 33: The base gets a little warm. Is this OK? Top Yes. There are electronics and lights inside, so it will get warm. Don't worry, it won't ever get too hot to touch. 34: Will I need to replace the bulb? Does the orb burn out? Top The Ambient Orb's lighting will not need to be replaced. The standard life expectancy is fifteen years, but could last much longer. 35: What colors can it show? Top We mix red, green, and blue lights, so that pretty much covers the rainbow. Some of our staff are particularly fond of the nice deep orange and bright purple it can render. 36: Where is the software for this? Where's the CD-ROM? Top You don't need a computer or any special software to use an Ambient Orb. Configuration is done at our web site. 37: Does this work with Windows XP? How about OSX? Top Yes, but you don't need a computer or any special software to use an Ambient Orb. 38: What kind of browser do I need to configure the Ambient Orb? Top Any standard browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera) should be able to visit http://www.myambient.com/ to configure your device. Parts of our website use Macromedia Flash, which is a free plug-in, but this is not required. 39: Do I have to have an account with Ambient Devices in order to use my orb? Top No. The Ambient Orb comes pre-configured to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which will continue to work without an account. However, you will need an account if you want to configure your orb to new channels. We have a choice of free or paid accounts depending on the channel you prefer. 40: Can I get a friend to make my orb change color? Top Yes. Sign up for the Ambient Messaging channel on the web site. 41: Will this work in my RV/boat/car? Can I take it on vacation? Top Yes, if your RV or boat has 110V power available. Be aware that your Ambient Orb is configured to your local area, so long distance travel will require you to reset the Ambient Orb to its current location. Coverage 42: Does this work anywhere in the US? Top We are using a nationwide wireless network. Our coverage exceeds 90% of the U.S. population, and generally we have better coverage than cell phones. In almost every place you can get a cell phone signal, and many places you can't, your Ambient Orb will work. To see if you're covered, check:   to visit http://www.ambientdevices.com/cat/orb/coverage.html. 43: What about overseas? Top Not yet. Email us (especially if you're an overseas distributor). Various products from Ambient Devices will likely be made available overseas. Advanced user questions 44: Is there more than one version of the orb? Top Yes.  The "Orb Classic" is slightly larger and has an external wireless module.  The currently shipping orb is a bit smaller and the wireless module is internal.  The current orb also has a barcode on the label.  While we no longer manufacture the orb classic, we will continue to provide it with service on the Ambient Information Network. 45: When will you be adding [name of information input]? Top Email us and request it. If that doesn't work send money. 46: Can a write my own information inputs? Top Yes, any premium user can customize the Orb with their own information. More information is available in our Technical Resources area. Email us for a development kit, or volunteer to be a beta tester. 47: Can I get realtime stock quotes? Top At present, we only offer 20 minute delayed quotes.  We are investigating an "ultra-premium" service with realtime stock data, but due to the high fees charged by brokerages it was cost prohibitive at the current rates. 48: Can I take the orb apart? Top Well, it's your Ambient Orb, but we don't recommend it. And yes, it invalidates the warranty. 49: How much power does the orb consume? Top The Ambient Orb is very mindful of its effect on the environment, and therefore uses roughly 2 watts of power. You can buy at least 25 Ambient Orbs before getting anywhere near the power that a single standard light bulb takes up. 50: Can I use a different power transformer than the one you supplied? Top The transformer is carefully calibrated to supply the correct current to the orb.  Use of a non-approved transformer will work, but your orb may be too dim, or too bright, causing premature failure. Real questions that real people asked about the Ambient Orb 51: What do you have planned next? Top We are working with some of the best known product companies in the world to create new Ambient-enabled devices. Our working prototypes focus on a few key industries: teens & toys, automotive, health & wellness monitoring, medical marketing, and business accessories. Please browse our site and tell us what ambient ideas you'd like to see! 52: Are they safe around pets? Top Would you buy a chew toy version? 53: Why didn't anyone think of this before? Top Not sure, feels pretty obvious to us. But we patented it anyway. 54: Will it talk to me? Top Hopefully not. Questions or comments? Send us your feedback at:http://www.ambientdevices.com/cat/contact.html Return To The Amient Orb @ Convenient Gadgets