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Crowdfunding Smash: A Coffee Table that Tilts to Become a Touchscreen Monitor

By Rain Noe - January 9

in Furniture Design | Crowdfunding | Tech

This NXTABL Coffee Table, made by a faceless company in Hong Kong, is actually a 43" touchscreen monitor that runs Android. It tilts up on a hinge for a more natural viewing angle.

The pitch video is pretty bad, but if you're curious:

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It does seem it would be convenient for storing digital versions of boardgames. However, the playing experience looks ergonomically poor, given the table's height:

I'm really not sold on the UX of using it as a monitor. I think constantly having to clean it off prior to tilting it would get tiresome, and whatever was on the table now has to go onto another object or the floor. And if you simply keep the surface clear at all times, then it isn't really a table and doesn't earn its keep.

As usual, Kickstarter backers don't share my skepticism. At press time the NXTABL had blown well past its $10K goal, landing $160K and counting, with 15 days left to pledge. The table starts at $900 and is scheduled to ship this May.

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Dee An

11 months ago

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> I think constantly having to clean it off prior to tilting it would get tiresome...
That's true of any table before a board game is played, no?
> ...and whatever was on the table now has to go onto another object or the floor.
That's what the table's built-shelf is for, I assume.

Digital table top board games do have some appeal - no lost pieces, assistance with learning and enforcing the rules, players face each other, lower cost of entry for smaller developers of games, less space taken up with game storage, games can be paused and easily resumed later - but its success would depend upon software support and adoption.

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Tom Singer

11 months ago

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Fair point about keeping the table clean between uses. I'm already a backer and have suggested that they also offer a fold up or roll-up cover to both protect the screen and keep it clean while it's being used purely as a table. If that's not in their plans for an add-on then I'll make my own.

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Abe Froman

11 months ago

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Does everything really need to be crammed with tech? Let a table just be a table.

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Michael Ayukawa

11 months ago

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I think it is an interesting alternative to having a TV, especially in a micro-apartment or condo. Wall space is precious and you can see in the video, covered with basic shelving. I'm now thinking if this is a solution to a larger display screen in a van? Other than a projector. Hmm.

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Christian Lockenwitz

11 months ago

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Furthermore, I figure the screen would be prone to scratches to a degree you wouldn't accept on a monitor/TV.
At least I wouldn't.

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