Mobile Technology

Thermodo adds a thermometer to your smartphone

Thermodo adds a thermometer to your smartphone
The Thermodo is a plug-in thermometer for use with mobile devices
The Thermodo is a plug-in thermometer for use with mobile devices
View 3 Images
The Thermodo is a plug-in thermometer for use with mobile devices
1/3
The Thermodo is a plug-in thermometer for use with mobile devices
The Thermodo itself is based on a standard four-pole audio plug, but it also contains a passive temperature sensor
2/3
The Thermodo itself is based on a standard four-pole audio plug, but it also contains a passive temperature sensor
When not needed, the Thermodo can be plugged into a matched keychain carrier
3/3
When not needed, the Thermodo can be plugged into a matched keychain carrier
View gallery - 3 images

Today’s sensor-packed smartphones can measure a lot of things, but ambient temperature generally isn’t one of them. It is possible to buy separate Bluetooth temperature-sensing modules, and it’s been suggested that mobile devices could use beams of infrared light to obtain spot temperature readings. The Thermodo, though, is considerably more straightforward – it’s a tiny electrical thermometer that plugs into the phone’s headphone port.

Here’s how it works ...

The Thermodo itself is based on a standard four-pole audio plug, but it also contains a passive temperature sensor. An audio signal is sent through that sensor – depending on the temperature surrounding the phone, the sensor will attenuate the signal amplitude differently. The phone’s microphone picks up the altered signal, and relays that data to the accompanying app. The result is a real-time onscreen display of the temperature.

The device draws its power from the phone, and reportedly uses less juice than a pair of headphones. When not needed, it can be plugged into a matched keychain carrier.

One of the Thermodo’s limiting factors is the range of temperatures it can measure: -20 to 50ºC (-5 to 120ºF). The designers are quick to point out that the stated operating range of the iPhone 5 is 0 to 35°C (32 to 95° F), but that still may limit its usefulness for some applications.

Copenhagen-based start-up Robocat is currently raising production funds for the Thermodo on Kickstarter, and has already far exceeded its funding goal – apparently a lot of people want a thermometer for their smartphone. A pledge of US$25 will get you one.

More information is available in the pitch video below.

Source: Thermodo

View gallery - 3 images
4 comments
4 comments
Roma Khudoleyev
The idea is awesome, but if it's dependent on the microphone...then it might not work in a noisy setting. Just a slight negative.
digi_owl
@Roma; it uses the microphone part of the jack, not the microphone built into the phone (unless by noisy you mean electrically noisy).
All in all a clever piece of kit, and i find myself wondering if the same approach could be used for other measurements.
Snatr
I like this one. To bad the $10 level is closed :(
redrook
@Roma - That port is also a power source as well as being an audio jack. But really, how would a microphone measure the temperature?
Just to pick up on one part of this article -
"One of the Thermodo’s limiting factors is the range of temperatures it can measure: -20 to 50ºC (-5 to 120ºF). The designers are quick to point out that the stated operating range of the iPhone 5 is 0 to 35°C (32 to 95° F), but that still may limit its usefulness for some applications."
Please name a consumer who would buy this and expect to use it outwith these ranges? Anyone needing to measure temp outside of these is not a consumer and is most likely going to buy a dedicated product.
I would really need a review and test before I bought one, as I'm not 100% convinced that it'll be accurate. Digital thermos are rarely perfect.