The Busy Bar, a desk-mounted productivity device developed by Flipper Devices (creator of the Flipper Zero), will be available for purchase starting July 14, 2025, at a regular retail price of $249.
Overview
The Busy Bar is a hardware unit featuring a 72x16 LED pixelated display that shows user-defined messages such as "BUSY" to signal to others that the user does not wish to be disturbed. It includes multiple physical controls: a large button for toggling the busy status, a Start/Pause button, a timer dial, and a movable switch for selecting modes (power, apps, settings, or custom).
Technical Specifications and Connectivity
The device offers several connectivity options:
- USB connection to a PC
- Companion apps for iOS, Android, macOS, and watchOS
- Desktop application for Windows (native app planned for later release)
- Matter certification, making it compatible with smart home platforms including Apple Home, Google Home, and Home Assistant
- Open API for third-party app development
When connected to a computer, the Busy Bar can automatically display a "Busy" status during calls, recordings, or active work applications. It also offers notification muting and app-blocking features through its Busy mode.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing Tier Price Eligibility Pre-order discount $179 Waitlist members in June 2025 Launch discount $199 First 3,000 customers Standard retail $249 General public from July 14, 2025The device can be pre-ordered via the Busy companion app, with shipping beginning July 14, 2025.
Product Context
Flipper Devices stated that the Busy Bar is "totally disconnected" from its previous product, the Flipper Zero—a portable wireless multitool known for detecting radio frequencies and potentially interacting with RFID-controlled systems. The Flipper Zero gained significant social media attention in 2022, leading to proposed regulatory considerations in Canada and a temporary detention of 15,000 units by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which were later released.
The Busy Bar does not include hacking or wireless frequency detection capabilities. Flipper Devices is also reported to be developing a separate, more advanced model called the Flipper One.