It Looks Like a Clock, but Eta Actually Tracks Your Family

It Looks Like a Clock, but Eta Actually Tracks Your Family

True Harry Potter fans should be familiar with the Weasley’s magical family clock. Rather than telling the time, this beautiful device would display the exact location of each family member. One married couple of MIT-trained engineers loved the clock so much, they made their own. Named Eta, the clock lets you stay updated with the whereabouts of your family and friends. It provides peace of mind and plenty of talking points around the dinner table. Best of all, you don’t even need to master magic.

– See where your favorite five people are at any given time

– Lets you set up known locations, like your workplace or the nearest hospital

– Made from beautiful wood, with a different color hand for each person

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2111232964/the-eta-clock-a-community-location-device/

Tracking Your Family

You know when your significant other goes out for milk and comes back three hours later? That can be annoying or concerning, depending on your outlook. Likewise, it would be nice to know that your kids haven’t escaped school.

your family 02

Until now, we could only dream about staying so informed. But Eta makes it easy to see where everyone is. One handsome face shows that your friend is abroad, your kids are coming home, and your partner is completely lost.

[tweet_box]Named Eta, this clock lets you stay updated with the whereabouts of family and friends[/tweet_box]

Aside from practical considerations, Eta is a beautiful thing to hang on your wall. It also happens to be the best conversation starter ever invented.

your family 05

Mechanical Technology

There is something indescribably charming about mechanical clocks. The way they clonk from one minute to the next harks back to a simpler, less stressful time. Such timepieces seem like the antithesis of new technology. To see one that utilizes GPS and Wi-Fi is a delight for any self-respecting geek.

your family 01

Of course, Eta doesn’t flow with the passing of time. Instead, the hands swivel from one real-world location to another. Using the companion app, you can set these locations — from your office to the nearest hospital.

your family 03

Given the personal nature of this data, Eta gives you total control over privacy. If your friend prefers not to be tracked everywhere, they can simply make certain locations off-limits.

The face can also show when someone is traveling at road speed, or out of the country altogether. Whenever the hands move their position, Eta simultaneously sounds an audio alert.

your family 06

Thing of Beauty

The hands themselves are made from aluminum. There are six in total, each of a different length and bearing a different color. As a result, you can easily tell between them.

your family 04

The squarish wooden face measures 16 inches along each edge, and four inches deep. You can choose between two beautiful grains — oak and walnut — the clock can be hung on any wall via the supplied mount.

“The Eta Clock isn’t your ordinary clock — it doesn’t tell time. Instead, it keeps you connected to those who matter most, exchanging time for location. The Eta Clock tells you where the people in your life spend their time, with each hand representing a person in your connection circle and each segment of the clock face corresponding to a destination. As the people in your life proceed throughout their day, the clock hands mimic their movements, traveling to and from destinations.” — DC Creatives on Kickstarter

Eta your family

What We ❤️

We have several Potterheads in the Gadget Flow team who love this clock for obvious reasons. For everyone else, it’s just lovely to stay connected with your family.

Room for Improvement

A small version would be nice, as would custom icons.

Availability

Eta is available to pre-order now via Kickstarter, priced at $350 for early birds. The first units are scheduled to ship next summer.

Do you like Eta, or is the tracking too creepy? Tell us what you think in the comments!

Mark is best known for writing about apps, but he also loves the tactile, hardware side of technology. Being a professional photographer, he's pretty handy with a camera, and he's a self-confessed tweetaholic.
Join the Discussion

You Might Also Like

I dug through Amazon’s Memorial Day Sales—here are 20 gadgets worth your money
I dug through Amazon’s Memorial Day Sales—here are 20 gadgets worth your money
Memorial Day is next weekend, and you know what that means—summer has (unofficially) begun. Whether you’re planning trips to the beach, firing up the grill, or diving into garden projects, there’s something exciting about this time of year. Amazon’s already..
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 leaks tease squircle design—But that’s not all
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 leaks tease squircle design—But that’s not all
With the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 launch around the corner, you’d think we’d have a clearer picture by now. But honestly? Galaxy Watch8 leaks are still pretty thin. The current model runs on the latest Wear OS and brings a few..
Why we’re headed to BEYOND Expo 2025—and why you should join us
Why we’re headed to BEYOND Expo 2025—and why you should join us
We attend a lot of events around the world. Some are inspiring. Some are flashy. Some are useful. But BEYOND Expo? That’s a different category entirely. And this year—BEYOND Expo 2025 in Macao, from May 21 to 24—feels especially important...
Google’s I/O Edition Android Show: 3 highlights that raise expectations
Google’s I/O Edition Android Show: 3 highlights that raise expectations
Google just announced its biggest Android update in a long time—right before Apple gears up to reveal what’s new for iPhones. This year, the tech giant took a different route. Instead of saving the Android news for the I/O developer..
noble. note review: A pocket-sized powerhouse for people who still think in ink
noble. note review: A pocket-sized powerhouse for people who still think in ink
Here’s something I never thought I’d say in 2025: I am emotionally attached to a notebook. Not a digital planner, not a stylus-and-screen combo, and definitely not the Notes app that’s currently hiding 437 unfinished grocery lists. I mean a..
What Galaxy S25 Edge accessories you’ll want to have on day one—exclusive Amazon deals
What Galaxy S25 Edge accessories you’ll want to have on day one—exclusive Amazon deals
The Galaxy S25 Edge was officially announced, and it’s refreshing to see a phone that actually fits in my pocket. If you’ve already pre-ordered or are thinking about it, now’s a good time to start looking at accessories. Nope, Galaxy..