Ambient Clock

I rather like the idea of this device. It is a clock that synchronizes with a Google Calendar. The clock face changes color to indicate a pending appointment, and apparently it will be able to gauge drive time to the location such that that can even be figured in to the notification. Currently it is being beta tested as a Google Homepage module, but the full-fledged device will be produced if there is enough interest shown.
I sent an email to Ambient today to let them know my thoughts:

Hello Ambient Folks,
I like the idea of the Ambient Clock and have added it to my Google Home Page. I was wondering, however if it is possible to use it as a Google Gadget, as opposed to being only able to see it when my browser is open.

As for design for the full, stand-alone device, my vote is to keep it as simple as possible. I would even avoid having the text on the screen, both for the clean look and also for the sake of privacy. At the very least, it should be something that can be turned off by the user. I use my Ambient Clock more as a reminder to check my Google Calendar than as a calendar itself. (What good is a day planner if you forget to look at it in time?) As such, it might be worthwhile to add another color: some step between "no events pending" and "10 minutes to event." This would enable a person to check their schedule in time to be prepared for whatever might be coming up without having their "lunch date with secretary" or "proctologist exam" openly showing on the clock sitting out on their desk for anyone else to see

Another idea that occurs to me as I type this is to make an Active Desktop Wallpaper version. I recognize that the latter might be a bit more involved than opening up the G Home version to a G Gadget, but it was just a thought.

Thanks for your time. Also, thanks for a very cool clock. I look forward to what is to come from you guys.

No matter if they use any of my ideas or not, I still think it is a pretty cool concept and starts to show what people might make by playing off of some of the web utilities that are out there.
cheers-
db

Ambient Clock