Macrocard Business Card and Computer Interface
Cole Olsen’s "Macrocard" business card acts as a computer input while keeping contact info handy.
Business cards are great for sharing your info with potential colleagues, but we all know that the chances of them surviving – much less getting looked at–far into the future are fairly slim. If, however, you happen to get Mechanical Engineer Cole Olsen’s custom “Macrocard” business card, you may end up looking at it every day.
Yes, Olsen’s “card” is actually a multi-function macropad, made with a custom PCB and assembled with a small dev board, switches, encoder, battery, and a 3D-printed cover and knob. While much more expensive and bulky than its paper equivalent, for targeted business opportunities, it’s hard to go wrong with something that people will actually want to have and use.
The “card” features three buttons on top, cleverly formed into the 3D-printed enclosure to trigger switches underneath. These select between productivity, music, and presentation modes via different key combinations, allowing the buttons and encoder on top to perform different functions. Firmware is available for Windows and Macintosh, and flashing is accomplished by holding down all three switches, plus the encoder, to put it into bootloader mode.
The device communicates wirelessly via Bluetooth, and runs for around a month between charges. Although there’s no branding on the top per se, when you plug it in you might happen to turn it to the side and see Olsen’s name and contact info on the bottom. Which might just remind you to get in touch with him for… business purposes. It’s good to get your name out there. If it can stay in people’s minds over the medium-to-long term – and/or get you featured in tech blogs – all the better!