Here’s something fun from London design consultancy BERG: a social printer that connects to a variety of online services and runs off a ticker of news and information from the world around you.
Little Printer — which was announced today, but is due to launch next year — combines an app, device and network to turn the web’s constant stream of data into something altogether more charming.
As the makers say:
“Little Printer lives in your home, bringing you news, puzzles and gossip from your friends. Use your smartphone to set up subscriptions and Little Printer will gather them together to create a timely, beautiful mini-newspaper.”
Note: it’s being produced in conjunction with some commercial partners — engineering company Arup, tech companies like Foursquare and Google and brands like Nike and The Guardian — which could give it an interesting twist.
Hello Little Printer, available 2012 from BERG on Vimeo.
When we profiled BERG earlier this year, CEO Matt Webb explained that the company was “thinking about the home, and about short-run manufacture, and about robots, and about technology used by small social groups like families. How do we visualise and design for all of this?”.
Given that, Little Printer looks like evidence of that thinking moving further into the world — but the group hint that it is just the first step of a broader set of services and devices they’re working on. It’s powered by the “BERG cloud”, which they call “our technology to move the smarts of products onto the internet. We think of it as the nervous system for connected products. Built to run at scale, BERG Cloud could as easily operate the Web-enabled signage of a city block, as the playful home electronics of the future”.
In a way, the project is the latest substantiation of the work on connected products that the business has been doing for the last few years. For example, it builds out of an idea they first posited five years ago of the “social letterbox”, a concept which was then expanded by their friend Tom Taylor’s web-connected thermal microprinter and later by BERG’s own work on rethinking receipts.
Sure, it’s not going to be for everyone: the paper consumption alone may make some people’s eyes boggle. But I think it’s delightful.
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/wfGp3WoL via Bobbie Johnson
[GigaOM] Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London desig… http://t.co/V4DHxhDU
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/XKAgiUJV
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Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/z24FsPGS
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/lo6o4QVg
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/yKIH37kp
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/Oz5tFNED
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/4opRBzJe @amarchugg #news
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/YGrTaZyO
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/09aHJRZH
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/S9pWFLXb
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/iXE6aKN8
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/ebvLctjF @amarchugg #news
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/25IbWf9T
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/XjFx3njK
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/G7lQDnsk #technology
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/AMD2VYTV
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/EA1ysFOf
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/YZpx3EGG
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/vkSiLYK6
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/Vyrdt26S
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/t7ViX2ju #marketing #business #success #biztips
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/KEjgczkZ #BYOD
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/ZbkMVTL0 #BYOD
gigaom: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/okOZlwqf
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/mruBQQxn
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you – GigaOm http://t.co/IXDhh78C
If I fell for the Chumby, I am bound to get one of these :-) http://t.co/K3u0IsQs
New post: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/4sUGdHL0 (@GigaOM)
Watch out trees! Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/duiyUuQq
Really? Can see some uses eg tickets/shopping lists but SM news feeds? Waste of paper! RT @gigaom: Hello Little Printer http://t.co/qrpZw1Pi
Well I think I have my “Cool but pointless gadget of 2012″ nomination sorted already. Hello Little Printer. http://t.co/Olk6aG23
RT @gigaom: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/Jik3rFke
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from… http://t.co/TxRWbv0Y
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/DqYN7JJk
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: 29, 2011, 6:20am PT No Comments Here’s somethin… http://t.co/zhC6cZKC
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you – GigaOm: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget t… http://t.co/h3eKARvD
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: By Bobbie Johnson Nov. 29, 2011, 6:20am PT No C… http://t.co/DVCdBNNW
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: By Bobbie Johnson Nov. 29, 2011, 6:20am PT No C… http://t.co/DVCdBNNW
Un nouveau idéal pour les accros d’infos? Via @GiagaOm – http://t.co/MDhxmfAQ
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/4Y7hzD6N
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/aN2zm7Dv
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/8RWalcTb
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/nxz4YwHi
RT @Infopresse: Un nouveau idéal pour les accros d’infos? Via @GiagaOm – http://t.co/MDhxmfAQ
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/YDi6qrcB
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/imdMLebZ
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you – http://t.co/0bbkFrPk !
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: “Little Printer lives in your home, bringing yo… http://t.co/9xfU1wWe
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/fKvSmxoF
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/Xtp1nTbu
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/ma0LKKA6 #in #socialmedia #printer
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/qJzMZIGI
Hello Little Printer, the fun #gadget that brings the #web to you http://t.co/G6Gg7mrt via @gigaom
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: Here’s something fun from London design consult… http://t.co/HdqGYPzc
hmmm…the little printer that brings the web 2U http://t.co/94LbofGb would u use this?
RT @gigaom: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/Jik3rFke
la plus petite imprimante du monde : Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/Sa7t48yk
Hello : a very Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/4zAiHhm5
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/MBUgOtK3 Ambient Devices should have done this 5 years ago
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: By Bobbie Johnson Nov. 29, 2011, 6:20am PT No C… http://t.co/6FPlgJtb
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/Df8LJqHV #fb
we love it! RT @damangmedia: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/giOGSHH1
+1 RT @advantagecp: we love it! RT @damangmedia: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/WVeeZhqI
+1 RT @advantagecp: we love it! RT @damangmedia: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/4bHfkMih
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/J1OROzy1
Adorable Little Printer! The fun #gadget that brings the #web to you via @gigaom #bytesizedfun http://t.co/8rKYBi2X
Carina la Little Printer! http://t.co/FlHRA4AP via @zite
RT @biccio: Carina la Little Printer! http://t.co/FlHRA4AP via @zite
1 of the most ridic things ive evr seen…PAPER? RT @gigaom:Hello Little Printer,the fun gadget that brings the web 2 U http://t.co/7IfBsREP
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you: By Bobbie Johnson Nov. 29, 2011, 6:20am PT No C… http://t.co/gqf0cdVw
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you — Tech News and Analysis http://t.co/wTYbMHqk
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/zGK7IXFq
Jetzt muss man das Internet nicht mehr selbst ausdrucken. Vom Bundestag liegt schon eine Bestellung über 237 Stk. vor: http://t.co/ELUVjWIn
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/MnI4Z2Z7
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you @myredmondonline http://t.co/cN02w4qo
Hello Little Printer. Very interesting that it throws back to a paper-based medium http://t.co/UXAVW5fY Seems odd to me, but kinda cool.
Little Printer: muito fofo, mas não consigo decidir se é legal ou muito inútil http://t.co/19nhIQL8
Hello Little Printer, fantastic. I want one now! http://t.co/4byu0RDh
What does everyone think of Little Printer? I’m intrigued: http://t.co/8n0fXTcs
la plus petite imprimante du monde : Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/sNfo0aKg
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/LD1eYEJS via @zite
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/bdzDYr5t
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/x0XZNcF9
RT @bobbiejohnson: New post: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/4sUGdHL0 (@GigaOM)
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you — Tech News and Analysis http://t.co/RDESBHkD
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/CP2asZA2 – cute – old meets new
[Me want] Après le cadre à photos connecté, la nano-imprimante connectée http://t.co/OckVU1Q9
RT @FredCavazza: [Me want] Après le cadre à photos connecté, la nano-imprimante connectée http://t.co/OckVU1Q9
RT @FredCavazza: [Me want] Après le cadre à photos connecté, la nano-imprimante connectée http://t.co/OckVU1Q9
J’ai pas saisi l’intérêt : http://t.co/H7U12iRJ ça consomme du papier et les infos sont quasi obsolètes dès l’impression. #cuteAnyway
RT @FredCavazza: [Me want] Après le cadre à photos connecté, la nano-imprimante connectée http://t.co/ESCIVwxZ #@
RT @FredCavazza: [Me want] Après le cadre à photos connecté, la nano-imprimante connectée http://t.co/OckVU1Q9
RT @FredCavazza: [Me want] Après le cadre à photos connecté, la nano-imprimante connectée http://t.co/OckVU1Q9
+1 “@cnivolle: J’ai pas saisi l’intérêt : http://t.co/GhGxxJlT ça conso du papier et les infos sont quasi obsolètes dès l’impression.”
Gadget: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you — Tech …: Here’s something fun from Lo… http://t.co/z6dv1Sdv
Delightful indeed! “Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you” http://t.co/StJi2T6V
RT @ladyars: Little Printer: muito fofo, mas não consigo decidir se é legal ou muito inútil http://t.co/19nhIQL8
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/OpDqohQW
RT @gigaom: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/Jik3rFke
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you — Tech …: Here’s something fun from London des… http://t.co/dFLUnh0f
If “Little Printer” produced toilet paper I *might* be impressed (and read it) http://t.co/n2gYwNJ3
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/6NE7jThn via @gigaom #IoT #InternetofThings
RT @symplio Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/plJZIJBd… via @gigaom #IoT #InternetofThings
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/RXPLhYhM
What a cool little device!!!!! You know it’s going to be some $10-$15!!! There’s more info here
http://goo.gl/mgb5o
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/ANOKkMaF #in
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/QFTVeK2k
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/yjaUEtCv
Ii am so buying this: Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/wdbeJz6N
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/J9u9bDFZ
Hello Little Printer, the fun gadget that brings the web to you http://t.co/6UKNTe0v via @gigaom ^JF
This looks cute http://t.co/h7SkU5Ex but I could *really* fall in love with a printer-based version of Flipboard #webofpaper #studentproject
Ok, it’s fun. But then again, the Little Printer is useless shit. Or is it? http://t.co/fpNs6AZJ
Put a moustache on the pic above, and guess who it than looks like….