Playdate helps Big Ben ring on time
A clock mechanic for the Houses of Parliament uses the Playdate handheld gaming device to check the timing for Big Ben's bells.
The Playdate, a quirky handheld gaming console known for its crank, has found an unexpected use beyond gaming. In an episode of National Geographic's travel show "Best of the World" with Antoni Porowski set in London, clock mechanic Andrew Strangeway was shown using the device to help verify the timing of Big Ben's iconic bells.
Strangeway demonstrated his Playdate, which he had programmed to assist in synchronizing the bell chimes. Notably, this wasn't the first time the device was used for such a purpose — an earlier video showed Strangeway and a colleague using the Playdate during preparations for Big Ben to ring in the New Year on December 31, 2024.
The Playdate's manufacturer posted about the cameo on Bluesky, highlighting that such surprising applications are possible because the hardware is easy to program, supports sideloading, and has a good SDK. While the Playdate was primarily designed for games, this real-world use case showcases its versatility and the creative potential of the device.
