Lately I've seen a lot of people sporting the new ear-remotes for their sound-and-data devices.
This first generation of that technology is over-large and unattractive, but people insist on wearing it for various reasons.
But that's got nothing to do with this idea.
The Ringtone Earring simply delivers a very quiet ringtone to the vicinity of the ear. This saves the rest of the people in the area from listening to the overly loud tone.-- normzone, Aug 07 2007 The impetus Ring_2bVibratethough not the inspiration [normzone, Aug 07 2007] I new I'd seen this before http://www.bluetomo...nt/section/304/425/Fully-in-ear headset [neutrinos_shadow, Aug 16 2007] [+], but I don't think it would catch on. How many people would buy a device purely for the convenience of others?-- MaxwellBuchanan, Aug 07 2007 Call me old-fashioned. I end my conversation and put my cellphone away before entering a restaurant.
As to how many people, probably not many, unless the current trend were reversed and making efforts not to disturb those around you needlessly became fashionable.-- normzone, Aug 08 2007 100% possible, and so many people would buy it. Bluetooth technology works on actual IC's at the chip level. All that needs to be done is a custom chip that could be mounted to the earing, with a small battery. Some kind of pizeoelectric (rod?) speaker.
They already have external ring devices about the size of a small pager. There is a market for ring alert devices, and they will get smaller. I see this actually being built by some company if it hasn't already.-- evilpenguin, Aug 08 2007 + very polite idea.-- xandram, Aug 08 2007 + for a good idea. I'd like to also make the pin expand painfully if your voice becomes unnaturally loud whist the mobile is currently in a call.-- vincevincevince, Aug 08 2007 Within clip-on diamante skull-and-bones earring please.-- wagster, Aug 08 2007 Nice one [normzone]. [+]
I'm with you on the ending conversations on mobiles before entering restaurants and bars etc. Same with text messages. How rude is it to be in mid-conversation only to whip out your phone and start replying to someone's text? I do get in trouble with women however, as I usually forget they asked me something and then they get in a strop when I don't reply. (not sexist, just never encountered men getting upset when I haven't called them back)-- theleopard, Aug 08 2007 random, halfbakery