I see a lot of DIY project around the web, but few are as cool, and actually quite useful as this one. Jamie Matthews on his blog shows us all how to turn an external device into a Gmail notification lamp. The article is fairly detailed, but I think if you put in some time and effort you should do fine.

What really got me going was the extent where this tech could be taken. Although physical electronics and me go together like a balloon in an iron maiden, but I think extending this to go bluetooth is just a step higher and that is just awesome. Imagine getting a small bracelet or ring which vibrates or lights up in a cool ambient way when you get an email. I’ll grant you that effective bluetooth distance is about 10 meters, but you could be roaming around in your room for example remodeling, and never missing an email.

If you take it even one more step further, you can take it to Wifi. I have a router here at home which is in my room, but extends all the way to the edge of our back garden, which is a floor down and a good 2-3 rooms ahead, across at least 4 walls. If I would get a huge booster antenna I could even extend it to the end of the garden, meaning I would be in range when inside about 200 feet. Anytime I’m home I can see when I get an email, without having to manually check it.

Let’s take it even further with the actual internet, and/or mobile technology. You can create a program which calls your mobile when you get an email. You could also mod your phone to resonate in a specific way when the program calls. This means my phone could resonate while in a meeting, and I would know it’s an email instantly. This tech may seem pointless, since on many phones you can check your email right? Think of the following situation. You’re in a meeting, which you absolutely can not get out of, but you’re waiting for a very important email. You could set the application to only call you when specific criteria is met, for example the sender is a specified person. You would only be disturbed with the important email in this case.

Awesome project and awesome technique, and a bit of productivity too, check it out, I’d love some comments from people who managed to make this, maybe with some pics, I would post them for you too!