USB Star Trek Communicator

[trekker670]

I just found this description of a new Star Trek product shown at CES 2009!

From etmag.com

Dream Cheeky debuts USB On The Air Communicator

The USB Communicator is a Plug and Play microphone and speaker set, and also a cool Star Trek themed computer accessory. Connect the unit via USB, and you can chat with your friends using this functional and stylish gadget. USB Communicator model 241 is the latest product developed by Dream Cheeky. It is more than just a pretty package, since it features a built-in audio decode chipset and allows the transfer of audio signals via USB cable.
The built-in microphone is suitable for Internet communication platforms such as Skype, AOL, and iChat. The unit includes an individual microphone mute button, speaker Volume Up, and Volume Down button, and it is compatible with the Windows 2000, XP, and Vista operating systems.

 

[PadawanLearner]

they should have made it a cell phone...just saying.

 

[Apollo]

they should have made it a cell phone...just saying.

Board member here has already done that!

 

[Jaruemalak]

they should have made it a cell phone...just saying.

A year or two ago, someone advertised that they were releasing a cell phone version of the TOC communicator. It would require a priority service provider, and cost a couple hundred bucks... A friend has the advertisement, I'll see if I can get it to scan. No idea what happened with it, though. I believe not enough people signed up and it fell through.

 

[darthgordon]

Yep, that project was started but was abandoned. From what I understand it wasn't much of a loss. People who saw the prototype were not impressed at all with it.

If a larger cell phone producer were to tackle it along with someone with a love for both Trek and props, it could be done very well.

If they could just do it like the old calculator clock communicator, with access to buttons underneath a hidden compartment and turned the moire into screen with a moire screensaver... oh well. A man can dream, can't he.

 

[MooCriket]

A year or two ago, someone advertised that they were releasing a cell phone version of the TOC communicator. It would require a priority service provider, and cost a couple hundred bucks... A friend has the advertisement, I'll see if I can get it to scan. No idea what happened with it, though. I believe not enough people signed up and it fell through.

Always wondered why no one offered this as a cell phone. If done right...now that's a keeper:love

I'm sure with the talent on this board someone (hope/hint) will be able to make a viable nice piece:love

 

[AndrewRP]

This is cool... but it would be cooler if it was BlueTooth. How useful is a TOS communicator that's got a wire attached to it. You gotta stay withing a few feet of the computer. Now, make it Bluetooth and you're all set to amaze your friends!

 

[mgoob]

...compatible with the Windows 2000, XP, and Vista

How about MAC!

 

[phase pistol]

OK finally a good pic of this thing. Not very accurate at all.

http://i.gizmodo.com/5147502/usb-star-trek-communicator-lets-you-do-voip-over-usb

 

[JediG60racer]

Motorola had a prototype TOS comm cell phone, a few guys at Qualcomm were field testing it a couple years ago. It worked fine, but Motorola decided not to pursue it. I believe the licensing agreement from Paramount was the issue.

I also know of a board member who has bullt a functional TOS comm bluetooth prototype. THAT is snazzy... I'm hoping that he does succeed in getting it licensed and producing them in numbers! It's very accurate, the buttons are functional, it makes appropriate TOS noises too, and it runs on a Razr battery - so it's high powered as a speakerphone, with good battery life, and USB rechargeable.

 

[TheSt.LouisKid]

OK finally a good pic of this thing. Not very accurate at all.

http://i.gizmodo.com/5147502/usb-star-trek-communicator-lets-you-do-voip-over-usb

You ain't kidding. Reminds me of the proprotions of the old "Exploration Set" communicator I had when I was a kid growing up in the '70's.