You might find that setting up the Internet access is required for your "night light". I am assuming it will have WiFi, so that may, or may not, be as trivial as you think, depending on your location. At home I would have to somehow feed in the WiFi info (i.e. SSID and password). At my work place, it's even worse with the security controls in place for WiFi access. I won't be bringing a mining light bulb to my office, for a variety of reasons.
Of course maybe BitFury has thought of all this and made it completely trouble free.
I would very much like to hear about an actual person that purchased one and their experience. How much did it cost? What did they have to do to setup the Internet access? Did they get to choose the mining pool?
So far it's a "vapor demo mining bulb".
Topic: Bitfury - Mining Lighbulb (Read 15387 times)
OK, so if the BitFury theory is that the "Mining light bulb" isn't an economic thing, why make it a light bulb? Why not a low priced "21 Inc Bitcoin Computer" like gadget? That seems every bit as useful to the "inovative solutions.....educational purposes and fun" plan as anything.
Lets be honest, a light bulb is about the easiest thing there is to set up instead of having to run on a computer, and I think a "night light" would be cool for kids rooms etc.I would buy a few if they are economic light bulbs, and i know ill help a little with descentralisation 
I would buy a few for the man cave, and some for the office. TBH I would most likely give them as gifts to some of my younger cousins so they could learn about bitcoin, and help secure the blockchain!
I would buy a few if they are economic light bulbs, and i know ill help a little with descentralisation
OK, so if the BitFury theory is that the "Mining light bulb" isn't an economic thing, why make it a light bulb? Why not a low priced "21 Inc Bitcoin Computer" like gadget? That seems every bit as useful to the "inovative solutions.....educational purposes and fun" plan as anything.
If they ever produce them for actual sale, we'll know what came of it. Of course maybe the "Everything that has electricity should be a miner" hangover is finally setting in and they really don't have a clue about what to do with it.
Just my $.02 on the idea.
If they ever produce them for actual sale, we'll know what came of it. Of course maybe the "Everything that has electricity should be a miner" hangover is finally setting in and they really don't have a clue about what to do with it.
Just my $.02 on the idea.
Usb miners (which are made even simpler than mining lightbulbs) have been refined for years now, and they still are not profitable no matter the quantity. It's an industry of scale, even <1kW miners are going by the wayside, and as long as these standalone miners are in popular existence, light bulbs, pod and USB miners will not be sound financial investments, but rather niche products.
If a mining light bulb were able to turn a small profit, then a rack full of dedicated mining equipment could turn a considerably larger one, and keep cheap light bulbs where they belong. I can't think of any rational reason for a large company (let along individuals for any reason but curiousity/tinkering) to put ASICs in light bulbs. Unless the manufacturer was earning the mining revenue off their customer's electricity, which would simply be deception.
Well here's the deal...I don't think it was ever intended for large companies to use these light bulbs for mining according to the following quote anyway: If a mining light bulb were able to turn a small profit, then a rack full of dedicated mining equipment could turn a considerably larger one, and keep cheap light bulbs where they belong. I can't think of any rational reason for a large company (let along individuals for any reason but curiousity/tinkering) to put ASICs in light bulbs. Unless the manufacturer was earning the mining revenue off their customer's electricity, which would simply be deception.
“We believe that the project’s focus should not be on making money from bitcoin mining, but on creating innovative solutions with main purpose to use this product for educational purposes and fun,” said BitFury CEO Valery Vavilov
So yeah basically an alternative to a USB miner for people with interest in learning about bitcoin technology, and giving them a touch of the bitcoin blockchain ecosystem. Obviously we (miners) know USB miners aren't money makers so these most likely won't be either, but still could be fun toys that teach more about bitcoin.
Usb miners (which are made even simpler than mining lightbulbs) have been refined for years now, and they still are not profitable no matter the quantity. It's an industry of scale, even <1kW miners are going by the wayside, and as long as these standalone miners are in popular existence, light bulbs, pod and USB miners will not be sound financial investments, but rather niche products.
If a mining light bulb were able to turn a small profit, then a rack full of dedicated mining equipment could turn a considerably larger one, and keep cheap light bulbs where they belong. I can't think of any rational reason for a large company (let along individuals for any reason but curiousity/tinkering) to put ASICs in light bulbs. Unless the manufacturer was earning the mining revenue off their customer's electricity, which would simply be deception.
If a mining light bulb were able to turn a small profit, then a rack full of dedicated mining equipment could turn a considerably larger one, and keep cheap light bulbs where they belong. I can't think of any rational reason for a large company (let along individuals for any reason but curiousity/tinkering) to put ASICs in light bulbs. Unless the manufacturer was earning the mining revenue off their customer's electricity, which would simply be deception.
The only way Bitmain will sell a significant number of light bulbs is if they manage to get them down close to the cost of "conventional" light bulbs with similar capabilities - which pretty much means they HAVE to compete with "smart" bulbs or their hardware cost to make the things is gonna kill them.
That's STILL going to limit their market quite a bit, most folks have ZERO interest in "smart light bulbs", but some folks like to play with the programability stuff.
Bitfury* but I think it will be useful for some at first, and not for others like most things in the mining world. Then one day they may reach the efficiency of conventional bulbs and bring cost down making them interesting for larger scales mentioned for stores etc. That's STILL going to limit their market quite a bit, most folks have ZERO interest in "smart light bulbs", but some folks like to play with the programability stuff.
The only way Bitmain will sell a significant number of light bulbs is if they manage to get them down close to the cost of "conventional" light bulbs with similar capabilities - which pretty much means they HAVE to compete with "smart" bulbs or their hardware cost to make the things is gonna kill them.
That's STILL going to limit their market quite a bit, most folks have ZERO interest in "smart light bulbs", but some folks like to play with the programability stuff.
That's STILL going to limit their market quite a bit, most folks have ZERO interest in "smart light bulbs", but some folks like to play with the programability stuff.
But just think, when the light bulb part fails for whatever reason, you get to throw the whole thing away. That includes the mining chip that you paid for. 
I am with Finsky on this. These gadgets which combine mining with an unrelated function will do nothing of use for the purchaser. This also completely ignores the network infrastructure required to support hundreds of mining light bulbs in the store. It works to sell to 2-3 to the "Bitcoin Enthusiast" where two more WiFi gadgets don't matter. It's another thing entirely when there needs to be a 2nd private network once your WiFi environment balloons due to the mining light bulbs.
I am with Finsky on this. These gadgets which combine mining with an unrelated function will do nothing of use for the purchaser. This also completely ignores the network infrastructure required to support hundreds of mining light bulbs in the store. It works to sell to 2-3 to the "Bitcoin Enthusiast" where two more WiFi gadgets don't matter. It's another thing entirely when there needs to be a 2nd private network once your WiFi environment balloons due to the mining light bulbs.
Although I initially saw the lightbulb as a gimmick, I read now some documents regarding Lifi. If there would be a combination of an ASIC with an Lifi-device, I think this could boost. In shopping-malls, for example, are thousands of lamps, i.e. this would mean that you would be mining during business times. So after all, I think this could become a very interesting project.
why would you install hundreds of wifi/lifi-dependent lightbulbs when you could use the 'normal' kind and instead buy a dedicated multi-terrahash bitcoin miner?
Think Walmart they run thousands of light bulbs in their stores.
Think supermarkets.
Think department stores.
Just because all these places happen to have light bulbs in them, does not change the simple facts of economics. Putting mining chips in a lightbulb is not even remotely as cost-efficient as building dedicated miners (which have slim enough margins themselves these days), plain and simple.
Why in the world would an intelligent company choose to replace for example their $1 light bulbs with $50 "mining" bulbs, which will earn back maybe net $20 in their lifetime? Having a chip in them does not make the light bulb more efficient, and it makes zero fiscal sense. If they were in the business to mine bitcoin, they sure as shit wouldn't be doing it via lightbulbs...
Can anyone give me a rational explanation of why a large company would put these lightbulbs in their stores instead of ordinary light bulbs, from a cost and reward point of view.
Although I initially saw the lightbulb as a gimmick, I read now some documents regarding Lifi. If there would be a combination of an ASIC with an Lifi-device, I think this could boost. In shopping-malls, for example, are thousands of lamps, i.e. this would mean that you would be mining during business times. So after all, I think this could become a very interesting project.
why would you install hundreds of wifi/lifi-dependent lightbulbs when you could use the 'normal' kind and instead buy a dedicated multi-terrahash bitcoin miner?
Think Walmart they run thousands of light bulbs in their stores.
Think supermarkets.
Think department stores.
Although I initially saw the lightbulb as a gimmick, I read now some documents regarding Lifi. If there would be a combination of an ASIC with an Lifi-device, I think this could boost. In shopping-malls, for example, are thousands of lamps, i.e. this would mean that you would be mining during business times. So after all, I think this could become a very interesting project.
why would you install hundreds of wifi/lifi-dependent lightbulbs when you could use the 'normal' kind and instead buy a dedicated multi-terrahash bitcoin miner?
Although I initially saw the lightbulb as a gimmick, I read now some documents regarding Lifi. If there would be a combination of an ASIC with an Lifi-device, I think this could boost. In shopping-malls, for example, are thousands of lamps, i.e. this would mean that you would be mining during business times. So after all, I think this could become a very interesting project.
I would buy one as something to take apart and have a play with.
Worth it for that alone to have a look at and make some measurements on a Bitfury chip. The Antmoiner R1 has so far proved to be very good value for money, and even pays for the electricity it's using if you clock it up a bit.https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.13077334
Question is if and when we are going to see this lightbulb?
Rich
Although I initially saw the lightbulb as a gimmick, I read now some documents regarding Lifi. If there would be a combination of an ASIC with an Lifi-device, I think this could boost. In shopping-malls, for example, are thousands of lamps, i.e. this would mean that you would be mining during business times. So after all, I think this could become a very interesting project.
Personally, I count 3.5 months. I agree it doesn't seem that BitFury is in any hurry to actually sell a "Mining Lightbulb".
Maybe they came to their senses?
Maybe they came to their senses?
21inc will present something on cisco forum on Sept 22.
Competitive mining bulb/router/appliance?
As a follow up, was there anything about 21 Inc. on the Cisco Forum (September 22). I assume it was the "$400 Bitcoin Computer" and nothing else? Anything more substantial than they have on the website?
if it was just a gimmick imho to show the IPO folk who invested 121 million with 21 and show a product
no DEV is gonna pay 400 bucks for a device when he can just build his own to make an app
it is a brilliant play off the BFL scam..get a lot of IPO bucks show a product ..thus you can't be sued for not providing the goods (lame thou they may be)
if 21 imho was really serious about development and such a device they would have open sourced the works ..up to a point I guess they could and just show
devs how to use make this on a pi or laptop or anything
the hardware limitation shows they just don't think it will fly on its own..whatever bells and whistles are in their 400 buck pi
so if they want devs good luck...most devs will see right thru this and certainly will not buy a pi for 400 bucks with some gimmicky software etc
but hey it probably keeps the IPO $$$ coming in which is the real plan imho
Personally, I count 3.5 months. I agree it doesn't seem that BitFury is in any hurry to actually sell a "Mining Lightbulb".
Maybe they came to their senses?
Maybe they came to their senses?
21inc will present something on cisco forum on Sept 22.
Competitive mining bulb/router/appliance?
As a follow up, was there anything about 21 Inc. on the Cisco Forum (September 22). I assume it was the "$400 Bitcoin Computer" and nothing else? Anything more substantial than they have on the website?
KnC's rise has stalled, BitFury's on a slight decline, but they did once again mention their expansion plans.
Personally, I count 3.5 months. I agree it doesn't seem that BitFury is in any hurry to actually sell a "Mining Lightbulb".
Maybe they came to their senses?
Maybe they came to their senses?
Perhaps they have realised that by releasing the Lightbulb they would also be opening up to scrutiny their ASIC which so far they have been very careful to hide any info on from the general publc.
Rich
It would be surprising for them to make a public product. But they claimed they would be doing it, and I think each of these would be high profit margin items (ie price jacked up).
I still say I would buy one even at a high rate to have a mining lightbulb. So I hope they release it.
Personally, I count 3.5 months. I agree it doesn't seem that BitFury is in any hurry to actually sell a "Mining Lightbulb".
Maybe they came to their senses?
Maybe they came to their senses?
Perhaps they have realised that by releasing the Lightbulb they would also be opening up to scrutiny their ASIC which so far they have been very careful to hide any info on from the general publc.
Rich
Personally, I count 3.5 months. I agree it doesn't seem that BitFury is in any hurry to actually sell a "Mining Lightbulb".
Maybe they came to their senses?
Maybe they came to their senses?
21inc will present something on cisco forum on Sept 22.
Competitive mining bulb/router/appliance?
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