Cone of Silence Almost Here

There was an article in today yesterday's New York Times, No Privacy in Your Cubicle? Try an Electronic Silencer, by John Markoff, about a cool new gadget. I'm always on the look out for new gadgets I like, so I know exactly what toys I want when I hit the lottery.

Apparently, this little doodad called The Babble, that looks like a box or one of those aromatherapy-spa thingys, scrambles your voice to people around you when you are on the phone or in the cube farm. Way cool. The product is created by a company affiliated with Herman Miller, the folks who make those chairs that makes your butt feel like it's in a hammock.

Looks like the entry price will be around $400, but I'll wait until it comes down under $200 before I give it a serious look. The Sonare Technologies website says they'll be demoing the device at the upcoming NeoCon World's Trade Fair show in Chicago on June 13th.. I wish I could be there to hear how it sounds. Right now, I'm picturing the voices of the adults in a Charlie Brown cartoon.