Star Trek ComBadge Replica Gives One-Touch Access To Cortana, Siri, Google Now
ThinkGeek’s website states, “We've had a screen-accurate prop replica ST:TNG badge in our closet for a while. The only thing it was missing was the ability to emit the classic communicator chirp sound effect when we pressed it. And then we found out an audio company is making a fully-functioning officially-licensed communicator badge.”
The Star Trek TNG ComBadge hooks up to smartphones through Bluetooth. It has a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and users can touch it once to answer or finish calls; play or pause audio; or access Siri, Google Now, or Cortana. One touch also plays the classic Star Trek communicator sound effect. Users can also sign-off “[Their name] out,” like a Starfleet captain.
The device is 1.65" wide x 2.08" tall x 0.36" deep and is composed of ABS and a zinc shell. It contain a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can last up to ten hours and charges through a micro-USB cable.
Star Trek recently celebrated its 50th anniversary this week, and Facebook celebrated with a few temporary features. Some people who mentioned liking Star Trek on their Facebook page or status updates were greeted by the USS Enterprise and were able to add a custom Star Trek frame to their profile picture. Facebook also decided to incorporate Star Trek’s most iconic characters with their various “like" buttons.
Star Trek first debuted in 1966 for three seasons on NBC. Ratings were initially low, however the television show became a cult favorite in broadcast syndication. ThinkGeek’s ComBadge is based off of a similar device in Star Trek: Next Generation. This particular show aired from 1987 to 1994 and starred Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Brent Spiner, and many other notable actors. Star Trek Discovery is slated to air in 2017.